Guam, Palau renew closer ties with NMI

Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero joins Guam Power Authority personnel in a group photo yesterday after visiting them at their work site at the William S. Reyes Elementary School in Chalan Kanoa. (Jon Perez)

Hundreds of miles of water may separate the CNMI from its Micronesian island neighbors, but Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Republic of Palau President Tommy Remengesau said they are always ready to help their brothers and sisters in the region. Both leaders were among those that attended last Monday’s inauguration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios that also included Federated States of Micronesia President Peter M. Christian and members of the FSM and Guam legislatures.

Leon Guerrero, before returning to Guam yesterday, visited personnel from the Guam Power Authority who are working to restore the power at the William S. Reyes Elementary School in Chalan Kanoa. She met with about 30 GPA linemen during their brief break at their work site at the school, one of the areas that were hit hardest by Super Typhoon Yutu last October.

She said that Torres, during their short meeting, said the progress of the islands’ recovery are going very well with power on Saipan almost complete. “Two months after the typhoon, [power on Saipan] are already between 85 to 90 percent hooked up. I think that there’s a lot of very aggressive [efforts] that’s being done. I know that you also worked closely with the [CNMI]. I am so proud with you guys that are here.”

“It is just a good humanitarian service that we are doing, together with the CNMI family. The governor [Torres], in his inaugural address yesterday, recognized [GPA]. He gave you a lot of commendation. You make Guam really proud on the sacrifice that you’ve made. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’re doing.”

She added that GPA helping restore power on Saipan is the purpose of the brotherhood and sisterhood between Guam and the CNMI. “I tell you, when you came off the airplane and these bucket trucks are rolling out, there was a great relief from the people of the CNMI. We saw it in Guam too. I was very appreciative of all the things that you’ve done.”

“When we experienced a typhoon and we ourselves were also without power and water, we also had help from the Mariana Islands. We need to always feel that bond from the people here, no one else can do it except ourselves. I know your families are missing you, but we’re almost done.”

Leon Guerrero, a five-term senator in the Guam Legislature before being elected as the island’s first female chief executive, said that Torres would do the same if ever Guam is in a similar situation.

“That’s the kind of bond and partnership that we need to have in this part of the world, no one else can do it except ourselves. I wanted to take the time out to see you and thank you so much for all the help in trying to make the people’s lives here much better.”

“Like I said, it is something that we need to do; show our friendship. That we’re all one in culture and one people. We have commonalities and we have to always work together for the improvement of all our people’s lives. One, very great demonstration of that philosophy is something that I truly hold dear to my heart: that no one else can do it except ourselves here, we need to combine forces as best as we can.”

One people, one community

Remengesau, who served as Palau’s head of state from 2001 to 2009, said that they are wishing for the CNMI’s full recovery from the devastation brought by Yutu. “I appreciate the message of his [Torres] speech. It is about family and community spirit, especially after going through such a disaster. Already, you can see the feeling of camaraderie and working together.”

“I think, that is true throughout the [Micronesian] islands. We always come together as one people and one community whenever we are faced with a common tragedy or disaster or challenge. That is the beauty of the island culture. They [Torres and Palacios] expressed that it is all about family, our culture, our values, and moving forward in every disaster.”

He added that camaraderie between the island neighbors in the region has always been practiced. “We’ve always been brothers and sisters. We’ve always been supportive of one another. As I’ve always said, what’s good for one island is good for all of us. We need to root for one another. Of course, more than ever, the best leadership is partnership.”

Remengesau said that the load is lighter if they take on it as one region. “You can do better. Take the load much better if you put it on your shoulder as one region. Sharing ideas, resources, good experiences, and the things that work. What works here will also work for either Palau, Guam, FSM, the Marshall Islands, and the entire region. That’s the spirit that we are excited to continue to share.”