‘Our environment should be celebrated, protected every day’

As close as they can to the beach, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog proclaimed April as Environmental Awareness Month and April 22 as CNMI Earth Day together with BECQ administrator Frank Rabauliman at the Carolinian Utt last Tuesday. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

April has been proclaimed as Environmental Awareness Month, but the important message to take care and protect the environment is something that has to be emphasized all throughout the year.

Led by the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, partners in protecting the environment such as the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works, Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance, and other agencies, gathered at the proclamation signing at the Carolinian Utt in Garapan last Tuesday

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog signed the document that also proclaimed April 22 as CNMI Earth Day.

This year’s theme is “Our Natural Treasures” which according to the proclamation, “reinforces our responsibility to maintain and protect our shared environment. It calls each of us to do our part to enhance our beautiful islands, and to understand that our actions impact not only ourselves, but the land we live on, the air we breathe, and the oceans surrounding us; all who provide us sustenance and the enjoyment of their beauty.”

“This is a more elaborate ceremony creating awareness for protecting the environment but I would like to think that we should be celebrating the environment each and every day,” BECQ Administrator Frank Rabauliman said.

“That is very important; we protect our resources so that the generations to come will enjoy them much like we’re enjoying it now,” he added.

Torres echoed the message emphasizing the environment’s role and our need for it in the CNMI.

“This is what we have to offer,” Torres said, “It is important that all of us, our community, our business partner, residents, our tourists, come to appreciate this but at the same time protect our island, protect what we have.”

“We live here. People come here and spend thousands of dollars to come here and enjoy what we have on a daily basis. It is important for us to dedicate this month as we do in everyday lives,” he added.

To ensure the protection of our natural resources, Torres put emphasis on the absolute compliance of laws and policies—even by big investors.

“I am serious in this administration…we’re here to make sure that we all comply with the rules and regulations across the board,” Torres said.

“Regardless of who they are, I want everyone to know, if you need to give them citation and they are not willing to fix it, give it to them. If they come to my office and complain and I see that there is ample time for them to fix it but they have not, then there is no way I will ask any of you because we all have work to do,” he added.

Torres said he does not support bypassing regulations to favor a party.

“I will not in any way or form ask anyone to violate or turn your face or bypass regulations to please anyone or any company no matter how big or small or whether it’s local or international. All I ask is to make sure that we communicate with our investors or business partners,” Torres said.