4-day Pacific Mayors’ Conference kicks off today

Delegates to the 2nd Annual Mayors’ Conference start their discussions today on CNMI federalization matters, the military buildup in Guam and its economic benefits to the neighboring areas in the region and other pressing issues.

The main venue of the four-day conference (May 14-17) is at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan.

Most of the participants—members of the Association of Pacific Islands Local Governments—are expected to arrive early this morning from different areas bordering the Pacific Rim, including Guam, the Philippines, Republic of Palau and the United States mainland.

They will joined at the main venue for breakfast hosted by the Office of Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos.

APILG president and Agana Heights Mayor Paul M. McDonald of Guam has been on island since Tuesday to meet with the conference steering committee, headed by Saipan councilor Antonia Tudela.

Before the conference proper at 11am, APILG officers will have an organizational meeting at 10am at the association’s business room.

After McDonald’s welcoming remarks, Bishop Tomas A. Camacho will do the benediction and invocation.

Tudela, who is also the chairwoman of the Saipan Municipal Council, will deliver a message, followed by CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Inos.

Gov. Lazarus Kodep, chairman of the Governors’ Association of Palau, will also deliver a solidarity message, followed by CNMI Senate President Pete P. Reyes and House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios.

Mayors Jose P. San Nicolas of Tinian, Joseph S. Inos of Rota and Valentin I. Taisacan of the Northern Islands will also speak.

Fitial will talk about federalization’s economic and social impacts during a luncheon meeting that will be hosted by Inos.

Capt. Ulysses O. Zalamea, U.S. Navy deputy director of the U.S. Defense Department Joint Guam Program Office, will speak on the topic, “What Can We Expect to See, Now that the Military Buildup is Underway.”

Senate President Reyes will focus on “What’s in Store for the Future of the Commonwealth.”

A trade fair will also be set up at the main venue.

The delegates will be attending dinner hosted by Palms Resort at PauPau beach in Marpi.

On the second day of the conference tomorrow, Judy Torres of the Marianas Visitors Authority will speak on the issue of restoring tourism in the CNMI while Joseph P. Breadley, senior vice president of the Bank of Guam, will discuss the topic “Islands in the Storm: The Global Economic Meltdown and the Western Pacific.”

Law partners Maya B Kara and Bruce Mailman will speak about potential disruptions caused by federalization of the CNMI while Herbert Johnson of the Trades Academy of the Guam Contractors Association will talk about the urgency to recruit and train for the military buildup.

The delegates will be departing at 5pm tomorrow for Tinian where they will stay at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino. The trade fair will also be opened at the hotel on Saturday morning and at noon the mayors will be treated to a cockfight derby.

The delegates will have the opportunity to tour the island before departing back to Saipan on Sunday.