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San Nicolas says Manila trip ‘productive’
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Posted on Nov 30 2006
Tinian Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas said his trip to Manila has been productive but declined to provide details, saying he needs to meet first with concerned parties to finalize arrangements.
“It’s definitely fruitful and productive but I can’t disclose yet until we close the deal,” said San Nicolas in an interview Wednesday.
The mayor had just come back from a three-week trip to the Philippines.
He went to the Asian country reportedly to inspect breakwater structures and possibly meet with business groups that can loan the municipal government money to finance Tinian’s urgent projects—the repair of its port and relocation of its open dumpsite. The island is currently under a state of emergency due these two problems, which the mayor says endanger public safety.
San Nicolas said he was to meet with the Tinian leadership and the Commonwealth Ports Authority yesterday to discuss the funding needs.
The local government said it needs some $2.3 million for a new sanitary landfill and $2.5 million for the Tinian harbor repair.
The municipal government may tap CIP funds or source it from an off-island lender.
Borrowing funds may require legislative approval.
Sources said the municipal government may also ask the Governor’s Office for funding assistance.
San Nicolas declared over a month ago a state of emergency on the island citing severe damage at the Tinian harbor and the collapsed water structures.
Citing the government’s failure to close Tinian’s open dumpsite in over eight years, the mayor also declared a disaster emergency early this month.
He said the municipality has been warned by Commonwealth and federal officials of the dangers of the “above ground and below ground fires at the Tinian Landfill thereby resulting in the accumulation of carbon monoxide in the immediate surrounding areas.”
He said this has polluted the Barcinas Bay, a premier fishing and diving spot on the island.
Further, he said that the landfill, which is adjacent to the Tinian Airport runway, has hampered aircraft landing due to fires. [I][B](Liberty Dones)[/B][/I]
