âWEâRE ready,â said CNMI Department of Labor Secretary Vicky I. Benavente on Wednesday regarding the second round of unemployment benefits provided by the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
Benavente and her team appeared before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Government, Law and Federal Relations on Feb 3, 2021 to provide updates on the PUA and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation programs.
She said she is hopeful that U.S. DOL will approve CNMI s funding request of $185 million, adding that these funds will benefit roughly 26,000 applicants.
Through the Continued Assistance Act, the second round of PUA will run from Dec. 27, 2020 through March 13, 2021.
Although the first round of PUA has closed, there are still a few applications being adjudicated, she added.
SAIPAN LEGISLATION WOULD OFFER AIRLINE INCENTIVES Submitted by admin on Fri, 06/10/2005 - 00:00
By Gemma Q. Casas and Jude O. Marfil
SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, June 10) – Lawmakers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are pushing for legislation that would grant incentives to international airlines providing direct flight service between Japan and Saipan.
House Minority Leader Arnold Palacios, R-Saipan, said senators have indicated strong support for House Bill 14-338 which proposes to provide the Commonwealth Ports Authority with $2.2 million so it can provide incentives to international airlines.
Introduced by Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, R-Saipan, the bill was passed by the House on May 25.