1020 turns 3210

Yesterday’s CNMI-wide litter pickup campaign was a smashing success after the event attracted over 3,210 volunteers who showed up to clean major areas and beaches in the CNMI.

Beautify CNMI! restoration committee chair Angelo Villagomez told Saipan Tribune that the “1020 on 10/20” campaign initially targeted at least 1,020 volunteers but more than 3,210 actually participated in the event that saw volunteers picking up trash from as far south as Koblerville all the way to Kagman.

“This is a major success in the short history of Beautify CNMI!” said Villagomez, adding that the number he provided the media is an understatement because more people actually participated.

The event started in the early morning hours, with people, clad in their usual weekend attires, thronging the streets and beach areas just to get a head start in cleaning up and picking up trash on the road and shores of beaches.

Local leaders did not also fail to show their support for the cleanup drive. Acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez led the anti-litter campaign by adopting the area within his residence in As Lito. The governor and all of his household members took part in the cleanup yesterday morning.

Sen. Maria Frica Pangelinan led the cleanup in Garapan, together with employees of Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan and Tan Holdings Corp. The senator was all smiles as she picked up trash around the Garapan area.

Marianas Visitors Authority, Division of Environmental Quality, and private companies such as Marianas Eye Institute shared Beach Road during the cleanup. DEQ officers and volunteers also repainted the Old Japanese Tank along Beach Road.

Beautify CNMI! officer Rep. Cinta Kaipat led community members in Koblerville during yesterday’s event. Kaipat, together with government officials and employees, picked up litter and planted some trees along the Koblerville substation. Schoolchildren and their parents also lent a hand in repainting the Koblerville substation.

Filipino community groups also participated in the islandwide cleanup. MOVERS, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awardee, took charge of the entire back road and Isa Drive for the cleanup.

Villagomez said the most impressive cleanup was in Kagman where thousands of residents, schoolchildren and volunteers trooped the road and beaches to pick up trash and rake forest litter for proper disposal. Department of Public Safety Fire Division, Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and retired public servants gathered in Kagman as well.

The Kagman Road appeared scored with thick black lines, as black and transparent bin bags lined the road on each side as each residential house participated in cleaning up their area. Some Kagman residents went to Tank Beach to do their cleanup because they felt that the beach has been neglected for sometime.

Villagomez said some groups ended their cleanup early yesterday. He added that the fun part of yesterday’s activity was the early weekend barbecue right after the cleanup. The volunteers continued the fun by sharing lunches and snacks together at their adopted cleanup sites.

Villagomez also thanked the Saipan Mayor’s Office and all the schools that helped in the event.

“We all thank Rep. Cinta Kaipat for her vision; Tina Sablan for her enthusiasm; for the Beautify CNMI! team for the hard work; and, every single person who helped out today,” he added.

Beautify CNMI!’s Steve Hiney reported to his fellow officers that his group collected at least 1,200 lbs of trash and litter yesterday. Villagomez said a large figure is expected when they finally assess the event next week.