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Benavente proclaims CNMI-RP Friendship Week
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Posted on Jun 02 2004
The Commonwealth government yesterday recognized the contribution of Filipinos to the islands, with acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente proclaiming June 5-12, 2004 as Northern Mariana Islands-Philippines Friendship Week.
Benavente rallied everyone in the CNMI to support the commemoration of the 106th anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12.
Thousands of Filipino workers comprise a big chunk of the CNMI workforce. Earlier reports also cited historical accounts that Filipinos formed part of the American forces when the latter liberated Saipan from the Japanese during World War II.
“The bonds of friendship existing among Chamorros, Carolinians and Filipinos are a product of our centuries-old shared history, customs and traditions as well as values arising out of our common religious inspiration,” Benavente said.
“Just as our peoples benefited from centuries of contact with foreign visitors from all points of the compass, we have also reaped the fruits of our close kinship and understanding between our two Pacific island communities and opportunities still abound for a rediscovery of these shared values,” he said.
Benavente signed the proclamation yesterday morning at the Nauru Building in Susupe, where the Philippine Consulate’s offices are housed.
Benavente also recognized the contribution of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans to community projects, besides economic development.
The CNMI and U.S. governments had recently recognized the contribution of non-profit group MOVER—an organization composed of Filipino workers—to environmental protection when it completed the cleanup of stormwater drainages on Saipan’s western shores.
“I would like to recognize the important contribution of the Filipinos and those of Filipino ancestry to the socio-economic progress of the Commonwealth. And as an expression of our appreciation for those contributions, we extend our hands in a spirit of brotherhood and solidarity, of friendship and understanding to enhance our harmonious and mutually beneficial relations,” he added.
