CNMI gov’t ends typhoon relief drive

Saipan Tribune visited the government-led relief drive just across the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center yesterday and learned that the second 40-foot container donated by APL had been filled, closed, and was picked up yesterday afternoon. This officially concluded the CNMI government-led relief drive that aimed to send two 40-foot containers to Typhoon Mawar victims. (KIMBERLY B. ESMORES)

The CNMI government-led relief drive that sought to fill and send off two 40-foot containers to Typhoon Mawar victims in Guam ended yesterday with the second container filled and ready for transport.

Saipan Tribune visited the government-led relief drive across the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center yesterday and learned that the second 40-foot container donated by APL was filled, closed up, and had been picked up yesterday afternoon.

This means that, in a span of just 10 days, the CNMI community managed to fill two 40-foot containers with relief goods that will aid the people of Guam who are still recovering from Typhoon Mawar.

According to Department of Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres, who proposed the idea of a government-led relief drive, the activity was a resounding success and it was an overwhelming feeling to see the Saipan community come together to help its sister island, Guam.

“[Yesterday] was the last day of our relief drive. The container [was] picked up by APL and will be transported to Guam [today]. The first container [had been] on standby as shipments to Rota were prioritized, so it is expected to be sent out at the same time. It’s been awesome. I can’t really describe the feeling. I feel thankful and emotional seeing how many individuals, establishments, and agencies came out to donate for the people of Guam,” he said.

Torres said the containers will be received by Mayor Jesse L.G. Alig of the municipality of Piti, Guam. Alig will be in charge of distributing the goods to different municipalities in Guam.

Torres said that DOC has also prepared a pallet of relief goods that will be shipped to Rota today on a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 aircraft.

As for the cost to ship the containers, Torres said the CNMI administration, DOC, and DOC’s partners in this initiative will split the cost. Freight company Matson has agreed to work on either lowering the cost or waiving a few of the fees to ship the container to Guam.

Aside from DOC and the offices of the Governor and Lt. Governor, other agencies that took part in the relief drive were the Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, CNMI Legislature, and the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

DOC Lt. Marvin Seman said that, although he lost family time due to manning the relief drive throughout the 10 days, it was worth it to see it fill up and know that the CNMI was able to help Guam in their time of need.

“Although it took away a lot of family time, knowing what Guam and Rota went through, it’s’ worth it. All our time, effort, labor, it was all worth it because at least our brothers and sisters on neighboring islands can get some type of relief,” he said.

Seman said he and a few other officers had to help not only collect relief goods, but manually fill the containers as well. Although it was hard, Seman said it was a labor of love and it also showed that the Marianas truly shares one heart.

“We were all in because we’ve all been there, we’ve experienced what Guam is going through now after Soudelor and Yutu. All those times Guam has helped us out so it’s only fair that we return that favor. It’s great to see the Marianas come together to help one another in times like these,” he said.