Igisomar highlights Internet, ‘ice’ issues at Rotary meeting

Speaking at the Saipan Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan yesterday, Sen. Sixto Igisomar (R-Saipan) discussed his priorities for the next two years that he is in office.
Igisomar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication, narrowed it down to Internet connection, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., and airline issues.

Internet

For Igisomar, the “solution is in the Internet” and the way to “improve ourselves.”

“I want to lower the DSL price or increase the bandwidth with the same price,” he said.

Sen. Sixto Igisomar (R-Saipan) talks about the various priorities he has set for his two years as senator. Igisomar was guest speaker of the Rotary Club of Saipan’s meeting yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. (Jayson Camacho)

Internet connection on the island is back to DSL after the federal requirement of what the speed should be for broadband was increased.

According to Igisomar, IT&E and Docomo cannot increase their speeds because they use copper loops.
“The future is in fiber optics. The future is on the Internet. Our children need to access all these information,” he added.

CUC and airline issues

After the CUC board restructured, Igisomar said there are other matters that he is working with the corporation while Senate Bill 19-07, which seeks reforms, is still pending.

“The bottom line of course is lowering the cost for utilities,” he said.

For Igisomar, one of the biggest challenges is the interisland air transportation with Cape Air.

“We wanted to call them in, bring them in and actually find a solution. For me, if it’s going to take 10 years or 20 years to solve this issue, I would rather discuss it, put it on the table and tell the people and the government and all affected parties so that we can start planning on alternative options,” he said.

War against meth

Another thing Igisomar wants to focus on is the problem of methamphetamine use on the islands.

The senator pointed out that he is not after the users but the dealers.

“The problem is the dealer. We need to find a way to stop that,” Igisomar said.

He is also planning a “War on Ice Symposium” with the families and the community.

However, as Igisomar battles the use of “ice” on the island, he continues his fight for the legalization of marijuana for medical use.

Citing several states where marijuana is allowed, igisomar said that aside from medicinal uses, “[marijuana] actually lowers the crime on other drugs like meth.”

(By FRAULEINE MICHELLE S. VILLANUEVA
frauleine_villanueva@saipantribune.com
Reporter)