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PR firm hiring backed •Chamber offers to meet with the governor to talk about funding
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Posted on Feb 26 1999
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce yesterday asked Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to look for the needed funds so that the CNMI government can engage the services of a public relations firm.
To resolve the issue, David A. Wiseman, chairman of the government relations committee, asked the governor to meet with members of the Chamber so that they can both discuss possible ways on how to raise the money.
While US Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) has indicated his support to the CNMI in blocking efforts of Washington to federalize labor and immigration, the Chamber said it is still important to hire a public relations firm to counter the negative attacks against the Northern Marianas by promoting its positive image.
Since the filing of the $1 billion suit last month against garment manufacturers and buyers in California and Saipan, the CNMI has been the subject of various negative publicities abroad. As the campaign on federal takeover continue, the negative publicity on Saipan as a sweatshop and slave island will intensify.
Kerry M. Deets, president of the Chamber, has said she believes that the Northern Marianas badly needs a PR firm that will defend the CNMI because it may destroy the island’s promotional campaign as an ideal investment site.
According to Wiseman, the media reports on various labor abuses on the island will leave a lasting negative image of the CNMI in the eyes of the world if they are not countered and defended by engaging the services of a public relations firm.
Dave M. Sablan,. chairman of the Marianas Visitors Authority board, has likewise expressed apprehension that the negative publicities on the CNMI would undermine efforts to save the ailing tourism economy.
Sablan said he has received inquiries from Japanese groups on the real situation in the CNMI since the $1 billion lawsuit was published in newspapers abroad.
Furthermore, Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes has sought the hiring of a lobbyists that will effectively help local leaders in stopping the plan of the federal government to take control of labor and immigration.
