PR in financial limbo •About the only means to fund a media campaign is though taxes, governor says

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday hinted he may have to implement a new round of tax increase should the Saipan Chamber of Commerce insist the government hires a public relations firm that will defend CNMI against relentless media attacks.
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Worried that the negative publicities would harm efforts to attract investments into the Northern Marianas, businessmen are pushing the administration to tap a PR agent to help refurbish the commonwealth’s tarnished image in the international community.
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The private sector has offered to pitch in money for the campaign in order to reduce the funds the cash-strapped government would have to contribute for retaining a lobbyist.
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But the governor virtually rejected the proposal for a possible partnership, saying his administration cannot afford to engage the services of a PR company.
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“The Chamber insists that we should have a public relations agent. I’m sure they are also aware that the administration does not have that money to accommodate such request,” Tenorio said in an interview.
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The governor made a pitch to businessmen for pressuring him to hire a PR firm at a time when the commonwealth is facing shrinking revenues, dropping hints that only by way of increasing taxes the government can raise money.
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According to Tenorio, the slowdown in economic activities has prevented him from imposing additional taxes even if cash resources are on the downside.
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“As we all know the Chamber does not want also (the imposition) of additional taxes. The last thing the administration will do is to impose new taxes because it would burden the private sector,” Tenorio said.
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He, however, told business leaders to tap ways how to raise funds for the badly needed media campaign to counter continuous criticisms against the island. “If the Chamber is really serious maybe they can work out with the business community here and come up with some funding to pay the public relations firm.”
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After inheriting a nearly bankrupt administration, Tenorio has disengaged the services of Washington-based Preston Gates Rouvellas & Meads, a prestigious but expensive lobby group hired by his predecessor to thwart federal takeover attempts.
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Former governor Froilan C. Tenorio spent over $4 million for the services rendered by Preston Gates over a two-year period, according to previous government reports.
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A proposal put forward by the business group says an estimated $125,000 is need per month to retain a PR firm.
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The island has come under close scrutiny since the filing of the $1 billion class action suit against Saipan’s garment manufacturers and buyers over charges of sweatshop conditions in local factories, allegations denied by industry leaders.
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The negative media reports arising from the lawsuit and pressure from Washington bent on taking over CNMI’s labor and immigration have dulled the islands’ attraction as a tourist destination among Asians, CNMI’s main market.
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Buyers from the mainland have also substantially scaled down orders from local apparel makers in view of increasing calls from various interest groups in the United States pressing for boycott of products made in sweatshops.