Flashback – February 2001-2003

Teno orders agencies:‘Observe overtime restrictions’[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio directed all CNMI government agencies to strictly observe cost-cutting measures implemented in financial year 1998, following the recent discovery of excessive amounts of Compensatory Time Off. Compensatory Time Off comes in a form of leave-with-pay made to government employees for work rendered beyond the legally-allowed 80-hour per pay period. In a memorandum issued Feb. 2, 2001 to all department and activity heads, Mr. Tenorio sounded the alarm against possible abuse by some government employees of their eligibility to work beyond the 80-hour per pay period despite existing restrictions on overtime work.

What started out as an afternoon of refreshing water sports turned out to be a traumatic experience for a Japanese tourist and death for her companion. Exactly a fortnight after local hero Galileo “Kaily” Torwal died to save a Japanese couple from a tragic parasailing adventure, another pair of Japanese tourists fell prey to a freak diving accident at the Grotto Saturday. While the female tourist only sustained minor cuts and scrapes on both elbows, her male companion, Akihisa Takeda, 44, was pronounced dead an hour after rescuers recovered his body from the water.
[B] February 6, 2002

Test: Students with pre-school background are better readers[/B]

The Public School System has stumbled upon hard evidence that bared the benefits of pre-school programs—Kindergarten and Headstart—among incoming first graders. Results of the first Reading Diagnostic Test conducted on public school first grade students, in part, revealed data that showed students who attended Kindergarten did significantly better than students who had no prior schooling. Children who went to Headstart, likewise, did significantly better than students without a pre-schooling experience, records showed. More than 800 PSS first graders took the individually-administered Reading Diagnostic Assessment in the beginning of the school year, as part of the PSS’ Accountability Plan.

Are private companies in the CNMI conforming with the 20-percent requirement in hiring local workers? That is a question that Rep. Martin B. Ada wants answered, even as he batted for the increased employment of the local population. The 20-percent requirement makes it mandatory for private companies to ensure that at least 20 percent of their workforce is composed of local workers. In yesterday’s session at the House of Representatives, Ada related that a number of lawmakers have been flooded lately by unemployed locals who are seeking their help to find jobs in the private sector.

Old dump closes next week[/B]

The scheduled completion and opening of the Marpi landfill would not happen this Friday, but the Babauta administration disclosed yesterday this would take place early next week, possibly Tuesday or Wednesday. The closure of the Puerto Rico dumpsite takes effect on the same day. As this developed, the Division of Environmental Quality indicated it would grant the landfill a solid waste permit this week. DEQ public information specialist Rebecca Snider said the landfill permit application filed by the Department of Public Works has been deemed complete. Yesterday afternoon, CNMI Press Secretary Pete Callaghan said the slight delay was due to the discovery of a leak in the facility’s liner. High-density polyethylene liners were installed as landfill covering to prevent leachate from seeping into the ground. “When they tested the liners, they found a slight leak,” Callaghan said. “As far as the opening [of the landfill is concerned], it will be delayed until next week.” He said DPW’s contractors had asked for additional days to extend the deadline from February 7.

With Hotel Nikko Saipan posting an occupancy rating of about 80-90 percent at the start of 2003, its new president and chief executive officer is optimistic that the surge in tourist traffic in the CNMI could be sustained, barring a war in Iraq. Shinji Nakamura, who took over as the hotel’s GM in July last year, said that, despite Japan’s depressed economy, the Japanese are going to continue traveling outside the country for vacations and tours, which he claims is good for the CNMI. “The Japanese people will continue to go abroad. And Saipan still has very, very strong attractions as a tourist destination,” Nakamura said. “I think that, compared to last year, this year, maybe we can foresee better business results.”