WASHINGTON, D.C.—Grant applications for the Coral Reef and Natural Resources Initiative are now open for applications from the U.S. Insular Areas.

The goal of the CRNR Initiative is to improve the health of coral reef ecosystems and other natural resources in the U.S. insular areas for their long-term economic and social benefit.

Priority will be given to projects that help the insular areas address threats to coral reef ecosystems and eradicate aquatic and terrestrial plant, insect, and animal invasive species.

Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, said: “Acting Secretary [David] Bernhardt and I are committed to protecting the natural resources of the insular areas in line with the mission of the Department. We have prioritized the eradication of invasive species, fulfilling requirements under S.47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, signed by President Donald J. Trump. This bipartisan public lands bill requires federal agencies to protect water, oceans, coasts, and wildlife from invasive species and to achieve an annual net reduction in invasive species, by reducing either their populations or their areas of infestation.”

Applications for 2019 funding are encouraged and will be considered from insular government entities, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations whose grant proposals directly benefit the four U.S. territories or three freely associated states.

The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2019. (PR)

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McDonald’s Saipan owner Marcia Ayuyu pose with Saipan Chamber of Commerce board vice chair Joe Guerrero as she presents the check donation yesterday. (Erwin Encinares)

McDonald’s Saipan yesterday sponsored a hole-in-one prize for the upcoming annual golf tournament of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

The local fastfood franchisee turned over $1,000 yesterday at their Beach Road branch to the Saipan Chamber of Commerce 2019 Golf Tournament, which raises funds for their annual operations.

SCC noted that McDonald’s Saipan is also sponsoring a hole-in-one prize for hole No. 13 at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort on Saturday, March 30, 2019.

According to owner Marcia Ayuyu, McDonald’s Saipan has always supported the golf tournament.

“We are happy to donate this,” she said. “I urge the community to come out and join the tournament. It’s going to be fun.”

McDonald’s marketing manager Ana Olaes noted that the fastfood chain supports what SCC plans to use the money for.

“McDonalds Saipan is very much into family values, anything that would help [locally],” she said. “Whether it’s another company or a group, McDonald’s is always there.”

SCC board vice chair Joe Guerrero received the McDonald’s donation on behalf of the Chamber. “Without the support of companies such as McDonald’s Saipan, we will not be able to fulfill our mission to help businesses grow and succeed in the CNMI,” he said.

The proceeds of the tournament, according to Guerrero, help fund the SCC operations and programs such as college scholarships, training initiatives for new businesses owners, and improving the SCC’s network in the community.

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From left to right, Medical Billing and Coding specialist valedictorian Maritoni Raganot, certified nursing assistant cohort 5 valedictorian Gina Tanya Duenas, CNA instructor Johnny Aldan, LTA executive director Arielle Buyum, CNA cohort 6 valedictorian Ma. Victoria Camama, and GMTC president Fe Valencia-Ovalles. (Contributed Photo)

The Latte Training Academy, Inc. recently certified 42 CNMI residents in the allied health field.

Twenty students attained their certifications as certified nursing assistants, 12 students attained their phlebotomy technician certification and 10 students achieved their certified Medical Billing & Coding specialist designation.

The programs, which are accredited through the National Healthcareer Association and the American Medical Career Association, were funded as part of the CW Worker Fee Fund program and the CNMI’s Workforce Investment Opportunity Agency.

All are U.S.-eligible workers intended to backfill the demand in the allied health field in the CNMI.

“The allied health programs are some of our more popular courses, primarily because there is a high demand for these positions within the CNMI. Many of the students who intend to enter into the medical and health field find that these courses provide them a good foundation and entry point into the field. …It [also] provides an equally good point as a career transition,” said LTA executive director Arielle Buyum.

The programs, which recognize outstanding participants within the cohort, last anywhere between three and four months.

During the recognition ceremony, Maritoni Raganot, highlighted as the valedictorian of the Medical Billing & Coding specialist cohort, expressed her gratitude for the rigors of the program. “Thank you for holding each and everyone of us to the utmost standards of excellence to make sure that we reached our full potential. So here’s to everyone who are graduating, here’s to our remarkable instructors, and to the remarkable group of who made this happen,” said Raganot during her speech.

The Latte Training Academy, Inc. has been offering the allied health program in partnership with the Guam Marianas Training Center in the past three years.

To date the organization has trained over 750 students with a certification rate of approximately 90 percent. Since its inception, the organization has leveraged partnerships with local and federal agencies to fund participation for its students.

In addition to the allied health program, the organization offers certifications in the areas of hotel & hospitality, business administration, information technology and recently added its barbering & cosmetology program.

“As with all of our students, we are truly inspired by the level of commitment that these participants have shown. We believe that the ability to balance personal and employment obligations, with the added burden of attaining new skills to further advance their careers is a quality that any employer looks for. Many of our students have found themselves working within the field that they are certified in. This is in large part due to the effort that the Latte Training Academy makes to match in-demand occupations with the required training to provide employers with an adequate labor pool to choose from” said LTA president Juan-Carlos Benitez.

To learn more about the current program offerings, visit www.lattetrainingacademy.com. (PR)

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Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho dismissed Tuesday a bidder’s lawsuit against the Department of Public Lands over an exclusive quarry permit on a public land in As Matuis.

Camacho ruled that because plaintiff Fanter Corp. Ltd. failed to show that DPL acted arbitrarily and capriciously in its handling of USA Fanter’s submission for request for proposals, the company has not established that DPL violated a statute that provides constitutional standing to sue.

The RFP sought to “issue a quarry permit to the most responsive firm capable of providing DPL the highest return from limestone quarry operations on public lands.”

Because USA Fanter did not show that DPL violated the statute, the company did not demonstrate that it suffered an injury, Camacho said, and did not establish that it has constitutional standing to challenge DPL’s decision to revoke the RFP in lieu of negotiating with USA Fanter.

Camacho said the U.S. and CNMI supreme courts have ruled that the Legislature cannot erase constitutional standing, meaning the Legislature can give a right to sue but the person suing must still establish constitutional standing.

DPL issued the RFP in 2016. USA Fanter was the third highest bidder. DPL, however, did not enter into a contract with two highest bidders as they failed to agree on terms.

DPL then decided that, “given the significant amount of time that had passed since the RFP was issued, and considering the terms of the remaining proposals, it would not in the best interest of DPL…to award the contract to any of the remaining bidders,” including USA Fanter.

DPL then issued a second RFP in September 2017 without first negotiating with USA Fanter, or any other remaining bidders.

On Oct. 1, 2017, USA Fanter sent a letter to DPL, protesting the cancellation of the first RFP. USA Fanter then submitted a proposal in response to the second RFP.

DPL has not yet finished evaluating the proposals it received in response to the second RFP. Currently, no party has an exclusive quarry permit under either the two RFPs.

On Oct. 25, 2017, USA Fanter filed a lawsuit against DPL to stop awarding the permit to another company and for the court to direct DPL to award the quarry permit to it.

USA Fanter also sought a court judgment directing DPL to enter into negotiations for a contract for the exclusive quarry permit.

USA Fanter requested the court to prevent DPL from awarding the exclusive quarry permit for the land until such time that DPL and Fanter have determined they cannot come to terms for a contract.

DPL, through counsel assistant attorney general Matthew J. Pugh, then moved for the dismissal of the lawsuit. Pugh argued that USA Fanter lacks standing to sue to challenge a non-award of a government contract and that DPL does not have the legal capacity to be sued.

USA Fanter, through counsel Robert T. Torres, argued that USA Fanter has statutory standing and that DPL has the capacity to sue and be sued.

The motion was heard on Feb. 6, 2018.

In his order granting DPL’s motion to dismiss, Camacho said because USA Fanter lacks standing to challenge DPL’s actions, the court need not reach the question of whether DPL can be sued by the company.

Camacho said that none of its arguments made a prima facie showing that DPL acted arbitrarily and capriciously.

Camacho said DPL did not ignore plaintiff’s protest of its bid denial. Instead, the judge noted, DPL considered the remaining proposals after the second highest bidder ended negotiations but decided against continuing the negotiations under the first RFP.

He said DPL decided against continuing the negotiations because it found that both the terms of the remaining bids and the amount of time that had passed since the initial request for bids made continuing negotiations under the first RFP not to be in the best interests of the people of the Northern Marianas descent.

Camacho said DPL’s decision to cancel the first RFP after about one year of its issuance and issue the second RFP to try to obtain better bids was not an “unreasonable action.”

Camacho ruled that the DPL secretary has the discretionary authority to cancel the first RFP.

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Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther Muña and CHCC director of medical affairs John Tudela pose with the wheelchairs donated by Medquest Medical Supplies yesterday. (Erwin Encinares)

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. got two brand new wheelchairs yesterday from a medical supplier on-island as a donation to the lone hospital in the CNMI.

Medquest Medical Supply gave the Commonwealth Health Center medical ward two wheelchairs—size 18s and size 22s—after CHC director of medical affairs John Tudela reached out to them.

“One of the problems usually is having patients transferred [within the hospital] to different departments for testing… One of the issues is we do not have enough wheelchairs,” he said.

According to Tudela, the ward only has four wheelchairs. Ideally, the ward should have 10.

“This is one of the things that we always had problems with in transferring patients,” he said.

Medquest manager Ellen Dionisio told Saipan Tribune that they did not have any second thoughts about making the donation.

“Medquest Medical Supply [made the donation] because we believe in the value of social good through charity,” she said.

According to Dionisio, both wheelchairs cost them about $1,300.

CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muña noted that Medquest has been a long-time partner of the hospital.

“[They] have helped us with patients discharged from the hospital to their home,” she said. “We look at our system [of] working together with all the providers, and this donation just adds up to our partnership.”

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Northern Marianas College is encouraging those interested in advancing their education or professional career to register for the college’s spring 2019 Semester. Registration is currently ongoing until March 23, 2019.

Applications for admission and other forms may be picked up at NMC’s Office of Admissions & Records in Building N at the NMC As Terlaje campus or may be downloaded from www.marianas.edu.

Supporting documents (i.e. transcripts from institutions previously attended, health evaluation form, and a copy of a valid photo I.D.) must be turned in within 60 calendar days of submitting the admission application.

New students are required to take the math and English placement tests; the placement test dates are listed at www.marianas.edu.
For additional information or inquiries, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 237-6772 or visit www.marianas.edu. (PR)

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Several members of the Legislature join fourth to eighth grade students of the Northern Marianas International School for a group photo after hosting the children yesterday at the House chamber on Capital Hill. (Jon Perez)

The CNMI Legislature played host to students from the Northern Marianas International School and answered questions from the youngsters about the inner workings of the lawmaking branch of the government.

House Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao (R-Saipan), vice speaker Rep. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan), floor leader Rep. John Paul P. Sablan (R-Saipan), and minority leader Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan) led the House members that welcomed the 36 students from the fourth to eighth grade, along with NMIS officials led by vice principal Jener Pineda.

Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar (R-Saipan) was the lone Senate member in attendance.

The students’ questions ranged from how a bill is made, to the duties and job of the speaker and the other members of the Legislature and the difference between the House and Senate. The children also wanted to know what’s the favorite or fun part of the job.

Attao said lawmakers also do a lot of community work and, with the help of staff, do various projects in villages.

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It’s that time of the year where the island of Saipan stays up from sunset to sunrise for the Commonwealth Cancer Association’s signature event, the Marianas March Against Cancer.

This year, MMAC will be on May 3 to 4, with location details to follow.

Since 2002, MMAC has become the signature event of the CCA and the funds raised have supported CCA’s mission to advocate for a cancer-free CNMI through early detection, public education, awareness about cancer prevention and screening, and to provide hope and support for cancer patients, survivors, and their families.

“Despite the challenges from Super Typhoon Yutu, the steering committee and event stakeholders will continue the fight against cancer in the Marianas to support family members still battling and to honor the memory of those who have passed. We are excited to announce that MMAC will continue in May again this year,” said steering committee co-chair Bobby Cruz.  

Team registrations are due on March 22. There are six categories that teams can register as: Åtdao Team (nonprofit/government); Pulan Team (family); Napu Team (school); Puti’on Team (corporation); Tano Team (nonprofit +/or school +/or government); and Tasi Team (corporation + family, nonprofit, or School).

“Many of us have been affected by cancer, directly or indirectly, and MMAC is a great way to show your support. Take action this year and be part of a community united in the belief that it can make a difference in the fight against cancer by participating as a team,” said steering committee co-chair Carline Sablan.

Inquiries for registration can be directed to Recruitment Subcommittee co-chairs Jackie Che or Vinni Orsini at recruitment.mmac@gmail.com.
MMAC 2019 is organized by a volunteer steering committee. (PR)

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The risk of rip currents on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are no longer high.
Based on the information from the National Weather Service in Guam, the east swell has diminished to 5 to 6 feet and surf has fallen to 6 to 8 feet along east facing reefs. The risk of rip currents is now moderate. East swell is expected to continue to decline the next couple of days. (PR)

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The U.S. Small Business Administration’ Saipan Disaster Loan Outreach Center will have its last day on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 6pm, and will be permanently closed after that.

The SBA center is located at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center on Beach Road, in Susupe. It is open Tuesdays to Fridays, 9am-6pm; Saturday, March 30, 9am-6pm; and closes 6pm Saturday, March 30.

SBA opened the center to provide personalized assistance to Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and the Northern Islands businesses and residents who were affected by the Typhoon Mangkhut that occurred Sept. 10-11, 2018, and Super Typhoon Yutu that occurred Oct. 24-26, 2018.

“Until the Saipan center closes, SBA customer service representatives will continue to be available to meet with businesses and residents to answer their questions about SBA’s disaster loan program and close their approved disaster loans,” said Tanya N. Garfield, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

Businesses and residents can still meet with SBA representatives until Saturday. No appointment is necessary.

Although the deadline to apply for a loan for property damage has passed, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size still have until July 1, 2019, to apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help meet working capital needs caused by Typhoon Mangkhut. Also, even though the deadline to apply for a loan for property damage has passed for Super Typhoon Yutu, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size still have until July 26, 2019, to apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Business owners may apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Interest rates are 3.675 percent for businesses and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To receive additional disaster assistance information, visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155. (PR)

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The CNMI Department of Public Safety has looked into the complaint regarding the 911 emergency line that it may be down. Upon further reviewing the complaint, there was no evidence found of a down 911 line.

The central dispatch office has been receiving calls about the 911 emergency line throughout Thursday, March 21, 2019.

The department later issued a statement saying DPS has tested the 911 system and has verified that all 911 calls are being routed to their respective dispatch centers.

DPS thanked the public for bringing up the issue to the DPS Central office, as this is an issue that requires close attention.

DPS reminds the public to refrain from calling emergency numbers just to test its functionality, and only call 911 in an emergency. (PR)

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released last week an additional $487 million to supplement first-year funding through its State Opioid Response grant program. The awards to states and territories are part of HHS’s Five-Point Opioid Strategy and the Trump administration’s drive to combat the opioid crisis.

Together with the $933 million in second-year, continuation awards to be provided under this program later this year, the total amount of SOR grants to states and territories this year will total more than $1.4 billion.

HHS is awarding $130,500 to Northern Mariana Islands to support its ongoing work to connect residents to effective treatments.

This funding will expand access to treatment that works, especially to medication-assisted treatment with appropriate social supports.

“One year ago this week, President Trump launched his national opioid initiative, which called for expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based treatment, including MAT. This week’s funding awards to states were possible because of legislation Congress passed and President Trump signed since then,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Our strategy is beginning to produce results, thanks to so many Americans working on the ground, in their own communities, to turn the tide on this crisis.”

The State Opioid Response grants administered by HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration aim to address the opioid crisis by increasing access to MAT using the three Food and Drug Administration approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, reducing unmet treatment need, and reducing opioid overdose-related deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment and recovery activities for opioid use disorder.

“Strategies such as employing psychosocial supports, community recovery services and MAT using medicines approved by the FDA constitute the gold standard of treatment for opioid use disorders,” said Dr. Elinore F. McCance-Katz, assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. 

Last summer, SAMHSA announced the first year of SOR funding. States and territories received funding based on a formula, with a 15 percent set-aside for the 10 states with the highest mortality rates related to drug overdose deaths. 

SAMHSA also operates a 24/7, national Helpline that people can call to find treatment referral resources for mental health or substance use disorders: 800-662-HELP (4357). People can visit https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ to locate those resources, as well.

To learn more about SAMHSA-supported resources, please visit SAMHSA’s Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse page. (PR)

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From left, Triple J Saipan marketing manager Maria Valentina Haberman, Saipan Chamber of Commerce executive director Maxine Laszlo, SCC board member Alex Sablan, SCC board vice chair Joe Guerrero, and SCC staff pose with the 2019 Hyundai Elantra that will be a hole-in-one prize of the 2019 SCC golf tournament. (Contributed Photo)

Triple J Saipan is sponsoring a hole-in-one prize for the annual Saipan Chamber of Commerce golf tournament next week.

Last Wednesday, Triple J Saipan donated a 2019 Hyundai Elantra that will be used as a hole-in-one prize in the chamber’s annual fundraising golf tournament slated for March 30, 2019, at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

The prize may be won by scoring a hole-in-one on hole 17 of the golf course.

“On behalf of Triple J Saipan, Inc. and Triple J Motors, we’re happy to support the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and their efforts to make a difference in our island community through partnerships and businesses alike,” Triple J Saipan Inc. marketing manager Maria Valentina Haberman said in a statement.

The vehicle sports a 201 horsepower, 1.6L turbo engine, 6-speed manual transmission, 18” aluminum alloy wheels and an 8” touchscreen media display with back-up camera, along with support for both Apple and Android devices.

Triple J Saipan is one of the many sponsors of the golf tournament.

“Proceeds of the event are instrumental in supporting all of the Chamber’s current and future programs. Initiatives such as our scholarship program and professional development trainings as well as future initiatives around entrepreneurship and workforce development are integral to sustaining the private sector,” an SCC statement noted.

Showtime for the golf tournament starts at 6am; shotgun start at 7am. The registration fee is $130 per person, and chamber members would enjoy a discounted fee of $120 per member.

The tournament is followed by a banquet and raffle.

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Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, in his capacity as acting governor last week, suggested to Sen. Paul A. Manglona (Ind-Rota) to re-introduce and amend House Local Bill 21-6, Draft 1 that would re-appropriate $100,000 to the Rota Island Specialty Crop Association.

Palacios informed Manglona that he and Gov. Ralph DLG Torres support the intent of H.L.B. 21-6 but he vetoed the bill due to his concern over encroachment of duties and functions.

“While Gov. Torres and I support the intent of this bill to assist the local Rota fishermen and farmer’s programs, I must express my sincere concern for what appears to be this legislation’s encroachment of a critical executive function suitably fit for the [Finance] secretary in its mandate that any proposed used of the funds for a loan or grant program or other expenditures be submitted to the Rota delegation chair for review and approval by delegation resolution,” Palacios said in his message to the Rota delegation.

Manglona chairs the Rota Legislative Delegation.

In introducing H.L.B. 21-6, delegation vice chair Rep. Donald A. Manglona (Ind-Rota) sought to amend Rota Local Law 20-8 and re-appropriate $100,000 to RISCA.

“I strongly recommend that H.L.B. 21-6, D1 be re-introduced and amended to grant the secretary of [the Department of] Finance expenditure authority over these funds as it is the more appropriate procedure. For this reason, I must respectfully exercise my constitutional authority to veto this bill at this time,” added Palacios in his message to Manglona.

Section 2(q) of R.L.L. 20-8 states that $100,000 is appropriated for Afanelos Marianas Inc. that would assist the programs for all Rota fishermen and farmers under the expenditure authority of the chairperson of the non-profit group. The money is part of the $1,402,810.12 allotment for the First Senatorial District from its share of the casino license fees under Public Law 18-56.

However, any proposed use of funds for a loan program must first be submitted to the RLD chair for review and approval through a delegation resolution. The delegation chair would then submit a report detailing the expenditures within 30 days after the end of fiscal year 2018.

The current delegation learned that the funds appropriated for AFI remains intact after the group was dissolved and RISCA was formed in its place. H.L.B. 21-6 would have taken the money that was intended for AMI and given it to RISCA.
 

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Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) is urging anyone who hasn’t been given equal access to the services offered to all victims of Super Typhoon Yutu to get in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Sablan said that Public Law 100-707, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1998, protects individuals in a federally declared disaster area from any form of discrimination.

“If you think you have not been given equal access to services and benefits, contact FEMA’s equal rights officers. If a phone call does not resolve the problem, you may file a written complaint with FEMA’s Office of Equal Rights, generally within 180 days of the alleged discrimination,” said Sablan.

Basic information like name, contact information, the name and address of the agency where the alleged discrimination was committed, names of persons that FEMA could get in touch with to verify the allegations, and other pertinent details of the incident should be included.

“Individuals who file discrimination complaints are also protected from retaliation, and should contact FEMA’s Typhoon Yutu equal rights officer Jubén Delgado-Dávila if they believe they are the victims of retaliation,” added Sablan.

For reports, call FEMA’s ERO’s at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 or get in touch with Delgado-Dávila at (202) 341-3984 or email juben.delgado-davila@fema.dhs.gov.

President Donald J. Trump released separate significant emergency and state of major disaster declarations for the CNMI following Yutu’s devastation in October last year.
 
Additional disaster appropriation

In other news, Sablan said the U.S. Senate is set to act this week the disaster supplemental appropriation, H.R. 268, introduced by House Appropriations Committee chair Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-NY 17th), that passed the House in January. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has already filed a motion to prepare for a vote on the Senate floor.

Sablan said a Senate version of H.R. 268, which is still being negotiated, include an additional $25.2 million for the Marianas food stamp program proposed by the Senate Appropriations Committee chaired by Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Sens. David Perdue (R-GA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Another $56 million is set aside for solid waste management while $10.4 million is reserved for water and sewer projects that were negotiated for the Marianas. The Marianas is also eligible for more than $1.8 billion in federal funds—recovery money from the Economic Development Administration $600 million), Rural Development ($150 million), and the Community Block Grant for Disaster Recovery ($1.06 billion).

“One area of difference [is] the $36 million for Medicaid that I amended to the House bill during floor debate. [The] Senate Republicans’ bills have not included this money, even though Gov. [Ralph DLG] Torres, also a Republican, has attested that Marianas Medicaid is out of money,” said Sablan.

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ASAN, Guam—Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas announces the availability of a Programmatic Agreement Memo for review and comments through April 26, 2019.

PA Memos provide an opportunity for all members of the community to participate in the Section 106 consultation process required under the National Historic Preservation Act.

The PA Memo is available on the NAVFAC Pacific Cultural Information webpage at http://go.usa.gov/kZWG. (PR)

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The Women’s Summit planning committee is gearing up for its 6th Annual CNMI Women’s Summit, an event dedicated to empowerment, education, and connection.

The daylong event will be held Friday, March 29, from 7:30am to 4:30pm, at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, and will revolve around the theme: “Lead-HER-Ship: Masters of our own Destiny.”

A highlight of this year’s program will be keynote speaker and ethnographer, oral historian, and research associate Rlene Santos Steffy.

A daughter of the Marianas, Steffy has contributed 40 years of historic preservation efforts through mass communication.

Her achievements and scholarship earned her the Guam Preservation Trust Chairman’s Award, which for the first time in Guam history was awarded to a recipient who has displayed outstanding leadership in historic preservation.

This year’s Women’s Summit was conceived to promote the empowerment of women through women’s woven voices, particularly by opening up discussion and engaging in deep conversation about issues that affect women.

In the morning, the summit will open with a TED-talk style presentation and moderated panel discussion on a variety of topics including Women and the Sustainable Development Goals, maternity and paternity paid leave, domestic violence and sexual assault, women’s health and reproductive rights, and a discussion on the military buildup.

The summit will also feature a group breakout working session in the afternoon, where issues for policy advocacy and change and recommendations when/where policy is appropriate will be discussed and formalized as recommendations.

Recommendations for actions will be formally transmitted to the 21st CNMI Legislature for consideration and action.

For more information on the summit and the program, email cnmiwomen@gmail.com, visit https://www.facebook.com/cnmiwomen/, or call (670) 233-8978

Seats are limited for this free event.

Interested attendees are encouraged to register early: bit.ly/cnmiwomenssummit

Northern Marianas College will be live-streaming the morning session for those who wish to participate virtually.

The CNMI Women’s Association would like to extend its appreciation to the following sponsors for making the 6th Annual Women’s Summit possible: Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Marianas Variety, Northern Marianas Humanities Council, NMC, IT&E – CNMI, and U-TOP Investment (Saipan) Inc. (PR)

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Junior high and middle school students will be arguing a fictitious case of a child getting injured on a hike in the case of the Justin Pangelinan vs. ForensiTech, Inc. at the 14th Annual CNMI Junior High Mock Trial on Saturday, March 30, at the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe.

The CNMI Junior High Mock Trial is a signature program of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council where students learn about the law and standard courtroom procedures. Though the program is non-competitive, special recognition will be given to students who give outstanding performances in their roles as attorneys or witnesses.

This year the participating schools are Mount Carmel School, Saipan Community School, Rota Junior Senior High School, and Tinian Junior Senior High School.

Schools have been paired up over two rounds, which will be presided by a judge. This year’s judges are Associate Judge Wesley M. Bogdan, Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, and Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho.

The program begins Saturday, March 30, at 9am at the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe. It is free and open to the public.

The CNMI Junior High Mock Trial is made possible through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with the CNMI Judiciary.

For more information, call Council staff at 235-4785. (PR)

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The defense lawyer of a man who was accused of rape believes that the prosecutorial misconduct that resulted in the declaration of a mistrial in the case in February cost him over $1,000 in fees and someone has to pay it.

During a status conference for Manolo Romolor, a man who allegedly raped an intoxicated woman back in 2016, defense lawyer Bruce Berline filed a verbal motion for sanctions before Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto Naraja.

Berline, the court-appointed lawyer, told the court that the amount of time spent preparing and defending his client for a jury trial that ended in a mistrial last February depleted his legal fees.

“The prosecutor’s misconduct has wasted thousands and thousands of dollars of my fees so I am doing a motion for sanction because someone has got to pay one way or another,” he said.

Berline added that he could take on the case pro bono, but the government would still need to provide funding for legal services, like if an investigator is needed.

Bruce Berline

“I would like to make an oral motion. There’s no more money for fees. I might continue the case on kind of a pro bono if I can talk to my client about that but one thing I will need is services to be paid by the government… because he is still indigent,” he said.

Berline also mentioned that if the funding is not provided, the case would have to be returned to the Office of the Public Defender.

Assistant attorney general Samantha Vickery, who represented the government in the status conference asked if the defense would subpoena the prosecutor, Teri Tenorio, who was on the case previously.

However, Berline replied that it would not be necessary.

Tenorio is no longer with the Office of the Attorney General.

Naraja ordered Berline to submit an affidavit detailing the arrangement in place regarding his client’s legal fees and to file written motion for sanction.

Naraja scheduled a hearing for April 30, 2019, at 9am for any motion filed by the parties, including Berline’s motion for sanction.

Vickery and Berline, for their part, requested for trial transcripts.

“The only thing we would be asking is transcripts, we need transcripts,” Berline said.

Naraja told the lawyers that he will issue an emergency order for the production of transcripts.

Romolor’s new jury trial is scheduled for May 13.

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The third annual Point-in-Time count will take place this Saturday and the CNMI Homeless Coalition is urging interested volunteers to sign up before Friday.

According to Jacob Muña, Northern Marianas Housing Corp. office manager and CNMI Homeless Coalition member, the coalition is scheduled to conduct the point-in-time count on Saturday, from 7am to 7pm, and the coalition already has nearly 100 volunteers.

However, volunteers can still sign up before Friday for a short briefing before the actual count.

Muña said that skipping a count is not an option if the coalition still aims to apply for the Continuum of Care grant.

Last year, over 1,000 individuals were considered homeless by HUD definition. That means actual homelessness or living in a home unfit for human habitation.

This year, the number of heads counted during the point-in-time count could possibly be higher because individuals still living in tents will also be counted.

The count is prerequisite for every community that receives federal funds for programs that aid the homeless, particularly the COC grant.

Interested volunteers can contact Muña at 234-7670 or email him at jjmuna@nmhc.gov.mp.
The Tinian and Rota count will be conducted late in April.

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