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Rota mayor backs proposed cargo airline
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Posted on Nov 26 2011
By Clarissa David
Reporter
Reporter
Rota Mayor Melchor Mendiola has expressed support for the cargo airline project of businessman Anthony Pellegrino, saying that Arctic Circle Air would contribute to the growth of the CNMI economy.
“I’m in support of Arctic Circle,” Mendiola said in an interview. “This will ease the cost, providing us greater opportunity for competition.”
Mendiola said the support of local farmers for Arctic Circle Air through a farmers cooperative is also vital to meet the production requirements when local produce are exported.
“I think it can really contribute not only to Rota, Saipan, and Tinian but also Guam,” he added.
The mayor noted that quarantine requirements in the CNMI and Guam make it difficult for the two island territories to exchange goods.
According to Mendiola, restriction should occur when only one of the two territories has an agricultural problem or issue.
Mendiola also agreed with the remarks of TJ Enterprise president Frank Atalig of Rota that there should be less talk and more action to revive the agriculture industry in the CNMI.
“If we need this, we have to start doing it. Otherwise, there’s no production. The emphasis there is that we have to take it upon us to act and to realize that we have to meet that goal. It takes everybody because we’re talking of limiting the importation to stimulate our economy. But we have to produce. And it takes each individual to act on it,” he said.
Mendiola added that he is also pleased that local businesses are accepting locally grown produce in support of the agriculture industry to help the island economy.
