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Eucon honors Aldan’s work on Pagan
The family of former Northern Islands mayor Jerome Aldan receives a plaque from the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council and the Eucon University board. (Kimberly A. Bautista)
Eucon University honored the late Northern Islands mayor Jerome Aldan last Friday with a plaque that recognizes all the work he put into protecting the island of Pagan.
Aldan’s mother and relatives received the plaque in his honor during the university’s graduation ceremony.
Aldan passed away in February this year.
According to Eucon advisory board member and Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council consultant William Torres, the award is historic as it is the first of its kind in the CNMI.
According to Torres, he and Aldan worked closely to save Pagan.
Torres told Saipan Tribune that Aldan’s work and his passion to serve the Northern Islands was legendary and up until his death, Aldan fought hard to preserve the island to enable the people of Pagan to return home.
“‘Till the time he passed away, he protected Pagan and its people because he wanted them to return home, he wanted to make this possible under his administration…because they were exiled to Saipan since 1981,” Torres said.
According to Torres, the people of Pagan have long been awaiting the day when they could return to the island.
Aldan’s mother, Clotilde Aldan, said she is truly grateful to the Eucon University for honoring her son.
According to SNIMC vice chair Diego Kaipat, Eucon University particularly noted Aldan’s plan to establish noni planting on the island of Pagan as a source of revenue and employment.
