‘Establishments should do part in keeping Garapan clean’

 A non-profit organization that conducts regular cleanups is urging all business establishments in Garapan to join them in their  efforts to maintain cleanliness on Saipan, particularly in their area which is considered the island’s tourist district.

PDM Promoters, Inc. made this appeal Saturday after conducting this year’s first monthly cleanup along the streets of Garapan this year.

A total of 18 volunteers, including five young members of the Saipan Awaodori Team, took part in the cleanup that collected 600 lbs of trash picked up along Coral Tree Avenue, the Paseo de Marianas, then to the Garapan Fire Station along Beach Road up to Joeten Hafa Adai Center.

Sonia Siwa of PDM Promoters noted in an interview that several businesses in the area showed improper disposal of trash as evidenced by overflowing trash bins.

“They leave their trash bins overflowing with trash and they are definitely an eyesore for tourists passing by the area. It’s embarrassing,” said Siwa.

Siwa said they are saddened to see that some of the businesses in Garapan have relied on their group’s cleanups that they don’t take responsibility for their garbage and the cleanliness of their surroundings.

“We urge businesses to be responsible for their own trash and not rely on our group to pick up their trash just because we volunteer and do monthly cleanups in Garapan,” Siwa told Saipan Tribune. “We should all do our part to take care of our environment.”

Siwa also pointed out that trash bins along Paseo de Marianas, which is covered by their monthly cleanups, are always filled with household trash instead of the regular trash from tourists.

According to Siwa, they understand that trash load at Paseo de Marianas is substantial on Fridays or after the Garapan Street Market event on Thursdays.

“But even on regular days, you will still see a lot of trash that obviously do not come from tourists,” she said.

Siwa underscored the need for everybody’s cooperation in maintaining the cleanliness of the island, especially in Garapan.

“It’s disheartening to see that we do our part while others don’t,” she added.

Division of Environmental Quality Safe Drinking Water Program manager Joe M. Kaipat, when asked for comment, acknowledged that they have been dealing with this issue for a long time and the lack of enforcement of existing regulations does not help them address the problem.

Kaipat serves as coordinator for DEQ’s Cleanup Brigade, an initiative started by agency management and staff in 1996 to encourage volunteers to take part in regular cleanups throughout the island.

Kaipat said yesterday that about 20 to 30 percent of businesses in Garapan, including make-shift apartment complexes in the area, do not have proper trash disposal “and depend on other businesses so they don’t have to pay for their trash (disposal).”

“We ask these businesses to properly dispose of their trash,” he said. “It’s as simple as that. If you don’t have proper waste disposal, please get one.”

Kaipat also commended volunteer groups such as PDM Promoters which have become stewards of the environment through their years of participation in monthly cleanups.

“A lot of these groups are doing their part to contribute to the community we live in. We should all do our part and not just depend on these volunteer groups and the government,” he said.

Kaipat added, “All we ask is for you to look after your own trash. If you don’t want to pick up other people’s trash, then at least take care of your own.”