Saipan will be facing serious power outages in the next few months due to lack of a stable generation capacity to supply electricity to residences and commercial establishments on the island, according to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.

Amid criticisms on the government's neglect in the unsanitary condition of the Ginza area, tourism and environment officials began the clean-up of the island's commercial district.

The Marianas Federation of Teachers is urging the CNMI government to introduce a local sales tax as a way to generate additional revenue.

CNMI's cumulative deficit almost doubled to approximately $53 million in FY 1997 compared to the previous fiscal year, and Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio feared this could lead to a financial collapse of the government.