‘Help clean up islands’

The steering committee of the 60th anniversary of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian appealed to all businesses and the community to help the government in its islandwide beautification program in preparation for the celebrations next month.

Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, who chairs the committee, acknowledged the support and the assistance of all individuals who have been helping the government in its projects to ensure that the 60th anniversary celebration would be a success.

But Benavente urged businesses to help the government in its islandwide cleanup programs to ensure that Saipan and its tourist attractions are clean.

“Businesses, homeowners, and individuals residing in areas or thoroughfares where tourists are likely to pass by on their way to Banzai Cliff and other tourists spots are urged to help even in little things,” the committee chair said.

Although the government is not expecting an all-out support for its cleanup program, the administration is hoping that business establishments would keep their immediate areas clean, particularly during the month-long celebration.

Businessmen are urged to clean their places of garbage, debris, boulders, and other eyesores.

This is in connection with the ongoing adopt-a-mile cleanup program of the Babauta administration, which began this month. All government agencies, departments, and other businesses were tapped to help the administration.

The government has identified 41 locations beginning at Capitol Hill down to the Tanapag area to the southmost portion of the island that agencies would clean up.

In a May 10 memorandum to all department and activity heads, Gov. Juan N. Babauta stressed the need to spruce up the appearance of the island in time for the June activities.

“We must undertake an organized program of cleaning up our roads, parks, and historic places so that our visitors will take away with them the image of a community that is not only blessed with natural beauty but one that takes obvious pride in the appreciation and preservation of that beauty,” said Babauta.

In June 2003, Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente organized an Adopt-A-Beach-Park-Road Project to coordinate the island cleanup and beautification. “Building on the framework of that program, I am hereby assigning specific places to specific agencies as their areas of special responsibility,” he told department heads.

According to the governor, Saipan anticipates hundreds of visitors, including war veterans and representatives of foreign governments, when the island hosts the 60th anniversary of the Saipan and Tinian wars.

The major events will take place during the week of June 12 to 17, but historical tours bringing veterans will begin as early as June 6.

“For our efforts to bear success, we must all become involved. Your staff looks to you for leadership and will follow your example. I am confident that by making a concerted effort, we will be able to accomplish our goal, an island that is visibly cared for by its people. I anticipate the cooperation of all government employees,” said Babauta.