CNMI gov’t hosts relief drive for Typhoon Mawar victims

Starting June 2, until Wednesday, June 7, CNMI government agencies will be accepting donations that will assist and help support Typhoon Mawar victims in Guam. Photo shows government officials standing in front of the 40-foot container that will be shipped to Guam this week. (KIMBERLY BAUTISTA)

The Department of Corrections, in collaboration with the offices of the Governor and Lt. Governor, Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, CNMI Legislature, and the Saipan Mayor’s Office hosted a relief drive over the weekend for victims of Typhoon Mawar.

Starting June 2, until Wednesday, June 7, CNMI government agencies will be accepting donations that will assist and help support Typhoon Mawar victims in Guam.

The initial salvo of this relief drive took place at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. The agencies that came together to make this relief drive happen have secured a 40-foot container that will be shipped to Guam this week.

The relief drive aims to fill the entire container with water, non-perishable food items like canned foods, rice, baby formula, dry noodles, baby food, bottled water, hygiene supplies, over-the-counter medications, non-perishable pet food items, linens, blankets, sleeping cots, mosquito, butane cans, and first-aid kits.

“We’re doing a Typhoon Mawar Relief Drive for the victims of Guam. It’s a joint collaboration [between different government entities]. We’re asking the community to come out and make donations… to assist victims of Mawar on Guam,” said DOC Commissioner Anthony Torres.

The local government entities involved in this effort have teamed up to split the cost of sending the container to Guam.

DFEMS acting commissioner Juan Pua said DFEMS is happy to collaborate in this effort and asks that the community help in any way they can.

“We’re to collaborate in this effort with our government partners and the community to help by providing disaster relief for Guam. We’re asking the community for help,” he said.

In addition, PUA added that DFEMS will soon launch a Boot Drive for Guam’s Fire Department and a Food Drive for the Rota Fire Department.

DPS Commissioner Clement Bermudes reiterated Pua’s statement, adding that Guam needs all the help it can get and hopes that the community can come out and help in this effort.

“I know this will strain our wallets but, please, give whatever you can. This is our brothers and sisters [in] Guam. If I recall correctly, Guam has done something similar for us post-Yutu, Mangkhut, and Soudelor. This help shows that the Marianas truly shares one heartbeat and works together as one,” he said.

Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas Camacho stated that its only right that the CNMI extends a helping hand to Guam as they have extended their own support for the CNMI during major storms the CNMI has faced in the past few years.

“We need to help each other. As mayor of this municipality, I humbly ask the business community, nonprofit groups, and the community to come forward and join hands in providing aid for our brothers and sisters in Guam,” he said.

Rep. Ed Propst (D-Saipan) said this idea comes from the heart. “On behalf of my colleagues in the House of Representatives, we are fully committed to assisting the good people of Guam. We are one Marianas and we should always look out for one another, just as Guam has done for us numerous times disaster after disaster,” he said.

“Let’s pitch in, lets fill up this container, let’s do this together,” he added.