The Commonwealth Ports Authority has asked House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial to exempt the agency's federally-funded projects from a law which provides locals 15 percent advantage over off-island bidders in procurement matters.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority Board has approved the implementation of Seaport Incentive Program which lowers the passenger departure fee at Saipan Harbor from $5.85 to $2.25 for one year, in a move to help the tourism industry cope with the decline in the economy.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio on Friday signed into law the Omnibus Labor and Business Reform Act of 2000, saying this is a step to help the private sector at this time of economic difficulties while safeguarding the local interests.

A toxics chemical expert has raised concerns on the technology that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will use in conducting a cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in Tanapag, a northern coastal village in Saipan.