House restricts use of fire hydrant
The House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation restricting use of fire hydrants in the wake of report that some residents have opened them up to get water for their own consumption.
HB 12-254, offered by Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho, will seek imprisonment of up to six months and/or fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 against violators.
Lawmakers hoped the measure would deter people from improper use of the fire hydrants which are being exposed to damages that may result to delay when firemen respond to emergencies.
The wear and tear on the tread and bolt could cause undue delay during disasters such as a fire, according to a report prepared by the House Committee on Judicial and Government Operations.
“[A]ccess to functional fire hydrants and fire suppression devices by the Department of Public Safety is essential in [extinguishing] fire, particularly when it involves lives and property of our Commonwealth residents,” it said.
The bill, which also includes provisions ensuring fire safety measures in the CNMI, is now up for Senate voting.
Meanwhile, the lower house also adopted a resolution urging All Nippon Airways (ANA) to resume its flights between Japan and the CNMI in an effort to boost the number of visitors to the islands.
The Japanese carrier’s renewed service will help the Commonwealth recover from the prolonged economic downturn, according to the Committee on Tourism and Commerce endorsing HR 12-79.
Sponsored by Reps. David M. Apatang and Martin B. Ada, the request will be made to Tokou Yamashita, an ANA executive who recently visited Saipan.
The CNMI government should look into the possibility of resuming ANA’s flights to Saipan to help improve the present air transportation situation here, according to Mr. Apatang.
He said the airline provided direct flights from key cities in Japan to Saipan during the early 90s when the local tourism industry was its peak.
Last year, Tasi Tours chartered ANA flights from Osaka to Saipan to cash in on the anticipated influx of Japanese travelers who celebrated the millennium on the island. Japan is CNMI’s main source of tourists, comprising nearly 80 percent of the total visitors.
