When you get stuck along Beach Road, better take the Middle Road. This is a website for those who choose to tread Saipan's off the beaten path. * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * +

Oct 25, 2009

Ella...Ella...Ey...Ey....Under My Umbrella...Ey...Ey....

Popstar Rihanna must be singing all over the islands today....Her Grammy winning song "Umbrella" lingers in the Marianas....

However, this "Umbrella" in the CNMI is about the permit that will be distributed to the "alien" or contract workers that according to Saipan Tribune about 9,000 to 11,000 will be given away next week. Ahhh...sounds like a winning prize in a Wheel of Fortune game on TV.

So, what do you think of this move from the CNMI Dept. of Labor?

Oct 12, 2009

The CNMI plans to hire doctors from the Philippines.

UPDATE: NMI Under State of Health Emergency...see story on Saipan Tribune.....

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According to the online news that the government will have this option to fill the void at the Commonwealth Health Center. According to the report, the Governor finds it a logical move since there are challenges hiring doctors from the mainland or Canada.

The report also said this option makes sense since the CNMI has been referring its sick people to Manila for treatment.

The CNMI has not attracted American practitioners due to its compensation package that's not at par with the mainland rates. Hence, recruiting physicians and specialists from neighboring countries might be attractive because of the dollar rates being offered.

However, the report also said the CNMI has to comply with the federal requirements in order for the islands to receive medical insurance and financial assistance.

So, what can the islands do about this? Somebody has to look after the health of its people right?

Oct 6, 2009

Discrete or Discreet, That is the Shortfall

Lawmakers exceeding their quarterly discretionary fund allotments. What gives?

What are these funds for and how should they use it? Should the public need to know? What are the recent projects that the community has benefited from these funds so far?

Saipan Tribune reports that "Some lawmakers once again exceeded their quarterly discretionary fund allotments and therefore had to borrow from their colleagues or ask for the reprogramming of at least $9,112 in April to June to cover for budget shortfalls, up from the reprogramming of almost $7,000 in January to March...Each lawmaker was allotted $22,367 in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2009 or from April to June, lower than the $26,217 allotted during January to March."

Translate: saipanmiddleroad.blogspot.com

 

About this site

This site is the Saipan Middle Roaders' blog--the wannabes, the frustrated ones, and the repressed ones...

There are several thoughts that have been written on paper, online or on the walls of every NMI building's bathrooms.

This site is for the geeks, for the shameless bitches, and for the restless drunks.

This site is for everyone.

Disclaimer:

Posts on this weblog are entirely the authors' opinions and views only.