Flashback – December 1998-2002

DeGov’t scrambles for cash[/B]

The amount covers three pay periods for the month of December, and the governor expressed optimism that funds would be available to avert a payless payday during the holiday season. “We’re looking into other sources to raise revenues,” Tenorio said, without giving details how his administration plans to raise funds, as he admitted that the commonwealth is in a tight situation in coming up with the money to pay government workers. “It’s is difficult for us because we have to spend $18 million in one month and I hope it (payless pay day) would never happen,” he added.

With the closure of almost 1,000 businesses on the island amid Asia’s financial crisis, foreign investors fled the island leaving behind millions of dollars in unpaid land leases. In 1997, when the economic problems in the region began, landowners filed some 39 cases against foreign businessmen, mostly Koreans, for non-payment of leases. Twenty-four similar cases have been filed for this year. Unfortunately, most landowners were not successful in recovering payments since the foreign investors have filed bankruptcy. “The most that landowners usually get is the recovery of the title of their land.

NMIRF chief wants retirement bonus axed[/B]

NMI Retirement Fund Administrator Juan S. Torres yesterday said he will ask Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to immediately sign a piece of legislation which seeks to eliminate the 30 percent retirement bonus in order to save the financial integrity of NMIRF. Due to the effects of Asia’s financial crisis, the Fund’s investment in the region’s stock market, which is the secondary source of its annuity payments, has been greatly affected. Aside from this, Mr. Torres said the government can no longer afford to continue granting the benefit because of declining revenues.

Saying he welcomes any investigation into the controversial Saipan power project, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation Executive Director Timothy P. Villagomez yesterday lambasted what he called aggressive lobbying by one of the bidders in a bid to influence the Legislature. The embattled CUC director also dismissed fears that CNMI’s credibility with outside investors is at stake if the utility firm decides to scrap the initial plan and scale back the proposed 80-megawatt plant. “We’re open to any investigation. We have nothing to hide,” he told reporters. “What amazes me is the amount of lobbying being done to try to sell a product and not looking at the ramification associated with it.”

Rota in state of emergency[/B]

In a second—and more devastating—blow to Rota this year, supertyphoon Pongsona unleashed its fury Sunday night on the island, with strong winds and heavy rains chopping down trees, wiping out crops, blowing away the roofs of many homes, and critically damaging the island’s power plant. Acting Gov. Paul A. Manglona immediately declared a state of emergency on Rota and requested President Bush to declare the island a major disaster area so that assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal offices could be made available for rehabilitation. Damage to homes and businesses, infrastructure, schools and government facilities are estimated to reach $5 million. At least six people on the island sustained minor injuries.

Public School System bus drivers gave up their lunches and other food supplies to a displaced family in San Vicente Elementary School when a child complained of hunger pangs Saturday night. Besides the bus drivers, San Vicente school shelter manager Mary Brown, standby bus driver Diego Villagomez, and security guard Candido Borja immediately handed over their food and contacted other agencies to help the family, which consists of three young children and the couple. The family, who asked that their names be held confidential, arrived at the shelter Friday night when Typhoon Pongsona started battering Saipan. The first help to arrive was from San Vicente School teacher Stacy Renwick, followed by the Karidat, Red Cross, and the Emergency Management Office.