Teno elated over RP presidential award

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday expressed elation in receiving a prestigious award from Philippine President Joseph Estrada as he underscored the strong ties between the people of the Northern Marianas and the Filipinos.

It is a testament to the working relationship which the governor said must continue to help each other achieve respective’s goals through improving conditions for Filipinos working on the islands and helping the CNMI in its economic growth.

Mr. Tenorio flew to Manila where he received the award from Mr. Estrada in a ceremony held Tuesday at the presidential palace in Malacanang.

Called the Banaag Award, it recognized his commitment to promote the well-being and uplift the conditions of thousands of Filipinos in the Commonwealth.

“I am thankful for being chosen,” the governor told reporters in an interview yesterday. “I accepted the award on behalf of our people here, but it would not have been made possible if not for the cooperation of the Filipino overseas workers here.”

Noting the large Filipino community on the islands, he said the CNMI has always had smooth ties with them. “Of course, there are some differences, but in any place you always have problems between employees and employers,” added Mr. Tenorio.

He urged both to work towards resolving their differences to ensure the continued growth of the local economy which has relied on nonresident workers due to the limited pool of local manpower.

“I hope they communicate and try to help each other to improve their business [become] a success,” explained the local chief executive. “But if they continue to fight, how will they be able to survive [any crisis]?”

Mr. Tenorio’s trip to the Philippines coincided with the signing of the amended version of the existing bilateral labor agreement, which aims to further improve the working and living conditions of Filipino workers here.

He was accompanied during the four-day visit by Philippine Consul to the CNMI Julia C. Heidemann, along with Labor and Immigration Sec. Mark D. Zachares and other DOLI officials who met with their counterparts from Manila for the labor pact.

The governor was conferred the Banaag award for his efforts and commitment to advance the cause of the Filipino community, which makes the CNMI one of the most friendly places in the world for overseas workers from the Philippines.

Other CNMI-based Filipino organizations, consisting of businessman Rodrigo Ceron, the Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects, the Marianas Association of Filipino CPA, VizMinda and the L&T Group of Companies collectively won the presidential Kaakabay ng Bayan Award.