Flashback March 30, 1999-2001

Benefits for foreign workers must also apply to locals: Law[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has approved a legislation that would allow local residents earning less than an hourly wage of $5.15 to receive all benefits extended to foreign workers as mandated by existing laws. Public Law 11-74 says locals whose wages are still below the prevailing minimum level in the United States are entitled to receive in-kind or the cash equivalent of the full benefits provided to nonresidents such as subsidized food, housing, local transportation, health insurance and medical care. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Manuel A. Tenorio, gives resident workers the option to choose between the benefits or the cash compensation, whichever is higher.
[B] NMHC gives Koblerville project a push[/B]

The Northern Marianas Housing Corporation has agreed to move “slowly” on the multimillion-dollar Koblerville expansion project after completing evaluation on three prospective contractors of the 45 housing units, its corporate director said yesterday. The decision is a step to steer clear from potential protests that may delay the project viewed by government officials as an effort to spur the local economy through increased construction activities on the island. According to Marylou S. Ada, the construction management team hired by NMHC conducted comprehensive consultation last week with the three final bidders—Pac United, North Pacific Builders and Telesource—as part of its evaluation. “They are taking time to compile their reports because of the close ranking points between these prospective contractors,” she explained in an interview.

House weighs tax breaks, incentives for Continental[/B]

The House of Representatives is working out a proposal to grant tax breaks and other incentives to Continental Micronesia in hopes to help the carrier sell the CNMI in key Asian markets as well as to reduce fares between the islands and prime destinations. Its leadership, led by Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, met yesterday with a representative of the Guam-based carrier to discuss the plan which would remain under wraps pending final decision. Wally Dias, staff to the vice president of Continental Micronesia, welcomed the move, but added they still have to study details of the plan. “These type of actions are very pro-active and would be helpful. We’re going to have to go back and work out the details of what that can actually accomplish,” he told reporters after the meeting.

A proposal renaming Hopwood Junior High School after one of its pioneer teachers has elicited mixed reactions from the community, throwing the House Committee on Education in an imbroglio that could become a divisive public issue. Committee chair Rep. Brigida DLG. Ichihara said there is still no clear decision whether to pass the legislation naming the educational facility as Janet S. Tenorio Jr. High School even after conducting a public hearing Tuesday night. The committee will discuss the measure in the next few weeks and come up with a report by May. “There are still some issues that we must straighten out,” the chairperson told in an interview yesterday.

CHC sued for negligence [/B]

A Saipan couple is seeking justice to an unfortunate ordeal allegedly suffered by their child under the hands of the Commonwealth Health Center Intensive Care Unit last year. Parents Manuel C. Santos and Ana P. Cabrera through counsel Joseph A. Arriola lodged a $100,000-civil action suit against CHC for complaints of gross negligence, alleging that CHC compromised the health and safety of their infant while under its care. The hospital, along with possibly six other medical personnel, are being accused of carelessness in the administration of their duties, allegedly causing the plaintiffs’ child to experience lasting pain and suffering due to burns on her right hand. The parents of the infant are demanding for a jury trial to decide on the fate of the case pending before the Superior Court.