DPW’s Adopt-A-Highway program seeks public and private partners

The Department of Public Works’ Highway Section launched yesterday a public service campaign to encourage community involvement in keeping highways in the CNMI clean and litter-free.

Adopt-A-Highway is a program supported and approved by the Federal Highway Administration, which provides funding for many of DPW’s road projects, and is developed and administered by each state or territory in the U.S., said Highway administrator Sonya Pangelinan Dancoe.

Dancoe, guest speaker at the general membership meeting of the Rotary Club of Saipan, said that the program is part of their efforts to take a “proactive approach” in addressing the need for a “reliable maintenance program.”

According to Dancoe, DPW is tasked with the tremendous role of ensuring a safe and efficient transportation system, including the responsibility to ensure that signs are visible to motorists, roads are safe for bikers and pedestrians, and roadways showcase the natural beauty of its surrounding environment.

But the CNMI’s economic situation has left DPW without enough means to maintain the infrastructure on the islands, which depend on tourism as its main industry, she said.

“DPW has created the Adopt-A-Highway Public/Private Partnership Program, which is aimed to promote environmental stewardship within the community, encourage volunteering and leadership skills among youth groups, foster inter-agency cooperation, and promote businesses and organizations that are involved in the campaign to keep our roads safe and clean,” said Dancoe.

Geralyn Dela Cruz, DPW Highway real estate and planning specialist, explained that the Adopt-A-Highway program can involve any business group, government agency, or non-profit organization to sign an agreement and adopt a one- or two-mile stretch of highway or an intersection for a two-year term.

The agreement, Dela Cruz said, requires the participating group to undergo safety training once a year and hold at least four mandatory cleanups a year.

“The program also has an environmental impact because when you pick up the litter, you prevent it from entering the storm drains,” said Dela Cruz.

DPW will provide trash bags, disposable gloves, and trash bins for the volunteer groups and will also arrange for any need to remove heavy or hazardous items.

To recognize the group’s participation and efforts, DPW will place an Adopt-a-Highway sign showing the group’s name along the section they are adopting.

“This sends a positive message to the community that volunteering and partnership is an important part of our future,” added Dancoe.

Dancoe noted that they will be teaming up with Safety 1st Systems, which will issue coupons to volunteer groups. DPW will also partner with a local shirt company so that the groups can avail of discounts in getting shirts for volunteers for “uniformity” purposes.

For more information, visit DPW Highway Section next to Pizza Hut along Middle Road, call 235-5827 or 9570 or email cnmiadoptahighway@gmail.com.