FLASHBACK – June 28, 2011

Govt. suspends pay hikes, promotions[/B]

The Office of the Governor has suspended all pay increases due to permanent or temporary promotions, acting or detail assignment, reallocation or reclassification of position, step increases and other training programs because of the current austerity measures. In a memorandum to all department and activity heads issued by Jose I Deleon Guerrero, special assistant for administration, he said the Civil Service Commission has put into effect regulations suspending all salary increases. Guerrero asked all government officials to adhere strictly to the regulations since none of the above will be considered regardless of sources of funding.

The Division of Youth Services will expand its parent education program with the formation of the first parent support group in the CNMI. According to Connie Cabrera of DYS, the first Parents Anonymous workshop in the CNMI is scheduled for September which is aimed at training a group of parents for volunteer work. With the holding of its first workshop on Saipan, DYS hopes to eventually replicate the success of this parents association in the CNMI which started in 1970 in the mainland. “It will be held from September 28 to 30 and interested parties can call our office for early registration,” she said. The DYS started its Common Sense Parenting Workshop in 1997 to help promote positive behavior among families and offers alternative ways to address domestic problems.

Business leaders lauds passage of omnibus bill[/B]

Business leaders yesterday commended the Senate for the passage of Business Reform and Labor Act despite major amendments which did not include the repeal of the three-year stay limit and the Fair Compensation Act. After marathon meetings between the Senate Committee Resources and Programs and representatives from the business sector, Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Lynn Knight said she now understands why there is a need to defer the scrapping of the three-year residency limit for nonresident workers. She said she agrees with the Senate to wait for the outcome of the proposed legislation extending federal immigration laws to the Northern Marianas. U.S. Senate Bill 1052, drafted by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, allows a business to petition a long-term nonresident for employment-based immigrant visa subject to several conditions, such as being employed in the same company for five consecutive years prior to filing of the application.

Northern Islands Mayor Joseph T. Ogumoro is soliciting the assistance of the Commonwealth Ports Authority in identifying the most viable locations on the four islands north of Saipan that will house the air and sea transport facilities in the area. This is in line with efforts to assist displaced residents of the Northern Islands to return and resettle in Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrigan. According to Mr. Ogumoro, there is a need to construct basic air and sea port facilities, as well as other infrastructure projects, in the Northern Islands to clear the road for its economic growth.

USDA blows horn over rising delinquency rate[/B]

The US Department of Agriculture yesterday sought the assistance of local congressmen in the recovery of delinquent mortgage payments from retired government workers. USDA Rural Development Manager Joseph Diego and Farmers’ Home Program representatives Steve Cruz and Howard Macaranas met with legislators to discuss the increasing mortgage delinquency rate in the Commonwealth. In a briefing held at the House of Representatives, the three USDA officials discussed the current status of the Farmers’ Home Program and other related federal programs that can be made available to Northern Marianas residents.

The Division of Youth Services is launching a special summer program designed to turn aside the attention of the islands’ youngsters from illegal activities. DYS Juvenile Probation Supervisor Syl S. Ada Jr. said the Summer Youth Sports and Day Camp was designed to provide the Commonwealth’s youths alternative activities, especially during school break. Ada said the Summer Sports Camp, which is co-sponsored by the Division of Sports and Recreation and the Department of Public Safety, will be from July 9 to July 20, while the Summer Youth Day Camp will be held from July 23 to August 4.