Saipan respondents junk reunification with Guam

A survey conducted by students of Northern Marianas College found that majority of respondents on Saipan are against the proposed reunification with Guam, while most of those surveyed on Rota are in favor of it.

In a study conducted by the NMC Marianas Reunification Survey Group, which results were announced Friday noon, 439 respondents out of the 835 surveyed in the two islands were opposed to reunification with the U.S. territory.

This reflects 52 percent of the total respondents. Those who are in favor of unification totaled 396 or 48 percent of those survey. Majority of respondents were Chamorros.

Broken down, results indicated that out of the 690 surveyed on Saipan, 275 responded yes to reunification while 415 responded no.

Of the 415 that said no, 329 were U.S. citizens, voters, or residents. Out of the 275 who favored the proposal, 143 were U.S. citizens, voters, or NMI residents. Saipan recorded 352 male respondents and 322 female respondents.

Meanwhile, out of the 145 surveyed on Rota, 121 approved reunification while 24 junked the proposal.

Many of the respondents believe that reunification will mean that CNMI residents will become the minority and Guam has more to gain than the Northern Marianas.

Respondents are also convinced that Guam is pushing for reunification because the U.S. territory want some of the political freedom the CNMI currently enjoys with its relationship with the U.S.

The 48 percent who voted in favor of the idea believe that reunification is good for the economy and will help boost declining tourism industry in the Commonwealth. In addition, they said reunification will bring one single entity for both Guam and the CNMI.

In three separate occasions, the group surveyed 690 respondents on Saipan and 145 on Rota. Because of time constraints and limited resources, the survey was not able to include the island of Tinian.

According to group members—Keo Buenpacifico, Jason Quiblat, and Daegeon Sablan—the study was conducted during the four-day Flame Tree Arts Festival, Thursday’s Street Market, and during a public hearing on casino legislation at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.

Two measures in both Guam and the CNMI Legislature were recently introduced proposing anew a non-binding reunification of both insular areas.

In the past, Guam and the CNMI used to be a single political entity but was separated when former was sold to the U.S. in 1898 following the Spanish-American War.

Friday’s survey result presentation was attended by the current issues class instructor Sam McPhetres, NMC interim president Lorraine Cabrera, and some members of the Legislature.