DEAR Congressman Sablan:
It was made apparent to me via a lengthy commentary you posted that was related to the creation of the new Infrastructure Recovery Program or IRP, that you are exceptionally misinformed about the purpose of this program. I am disheartened that rather than reach out to discuss the IRP and the role it will play in providing much needed professional support to the many agencies involved in infrastructure projects, you opted to take the opportunity to politicize this effort and most disappointingly, misinform the community.
My administration has made it a priority to bring all of the resources we have at our disposal to ensuring that we maximize the impact of the various lines of assistance the CNMI is receiving from the U.S. federal government. This is a critical time for the CNMI, and I would like to believe you have an interest in seeing these resources utilized in as expeditious manner as possible to see our community and
FORMER Governors Benigno R. Fitial and Juan N. Babauta, and Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao said they are grateful to the Marianas Public Land Trust for providing loans to critical government agencies.
In separate interviews, Fitial and Babauta said they join MPLT in its objection to Senate Legislative Initiative 22-5, which proposes to give the governor and the Legislature oversight and appropriation powers over MPLT.
It was during Fitial s administration when the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. received a $3.5 million loan from MPLT to acquire power supply from Aggreko.
Fitial said there were âpower outages after power outagesâ in the CNMI at the time, necessitating the acquisition of power from Aggreko.
GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Friday said a new government office has been created to focus on procurement, permitting and construction management/engineering for infrastructure and recovery projects.
He has named Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo, former secretary of the Department of Public Lands, as the coordinator for the Infrastructure and Recovery Office.
The  office will consist of engineers, biologists, environmental planners, master planners, archaeologists, as well as attorneys who will help ensure that contracts are done right and expedited.
This new program will assist with disaster recovery and public assistance hazard mitigation projects, including those of Northern Marianas College, the Public School System, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Routes 35 and 36 and other road projects.
TWO newly arrived travelers tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday and Sunday which brings the CNMI s number of total cases to 170 since March 28, 2020.
The 169th case was identified through travel screening and confirmed diagnosis through testing upon arrival on May 6 while the 170th case was identified through travel screening and confirmed diagnosis through fifth-day testing on May 8, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. spokesman Guillermo C. Lifoifoi said on Sunday.
Both travelers have been moved to the designated isolation area for close monitoring, and the CHCC Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team has already initiated contact tracing for the most immediate contacts of the new cases, including passengers on the same flight.
ANOTHER newly arrived traveler has been confirmed positive for Covid-19, which brings the CNMI s number of total cases to 169 since March 28, 2020.
The new case was identified at travel screening and confirmed diagnosis through testing upon arrival on Thursday, May 6, Â the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. said.
The individual has been moved to the designated isolation area for close monitoring, and CHCC said its Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team has initiated contact tracing for contacts with the highest risk of exposure.
According to the CHCC online dashboard, four individuals are going through a 14-day incubation period.
Of the CNMIâs total number of cases, 133 were identified through travel screening â 80 from the U.S., 35 from a U.S territory and 18 from a foreign country.