Inos to release statement on Rota state of emergency

Gov. Eloy S. Inos is expected to issue a joint notice any time soon on the state of emergency declared for Rota last May 20.

“Major efforts were made by the community of Rota to return to normalcy along with many of our responders, non-profit organization, the Rota Mayor’s Office, federal partners and the administration,” a statement from press secretary Ivan S. Blanco said. “We are working with the mayor of Rota in ensuring all aspects for restoration have been resolved, and we anticipate lifting the state of emergency within the next couple of days. A joint notice will be issued soon.”

The statement said the Governor’s Office “would like to thank everyone who one way or another contributed in bringing some degree of normalcy back to our community after facing such a devastating storm. We ask that we continue to be vigilant and prepared at all times.”

On May 20, the government declared a state of major disaster and significant emergency on Rota.

According to the declaration, Rota suffered “significant damage to public and private property, the full extent of which is presently unknown” after being hit by Typhoon Dolphin on Friday night.

Efforts to help Rota, meanwhile, continue.

Sen. Teresita A. Santos (R-Rota) has filed a resolution requesting the Commonwealth Development Authority, banks, and other lending institutions to give aid to victims of Typhoon Dolphin by deferring two monthly payments for affected Rota residents. Santos filed the Senate Resolution 19-12 last week.

The resolution noted that the people of Rota are “struggling to overcome the fury of Typhoon Dolphin coupled with the soaring cost of food and utilities and more recently the dwindling supply of commodities such as rice, butane, and canned goods.”

“Current circumstances have crippled the financial capability of most families on Rota to purchase basic necessities as well as pay loans, mortgages, and other debts that they may owe,” the resolution further said.

‘Coin drive’

Members of the Legislature on Friday afternoon, meanwhile, initiated a “coin drive” for Rota.

Senate President Victor B. Hocog (Ind-Rota) and House Speaker Joseph Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) led other lawmakers to line up on a portion of Beach Road, buckets on hand, to solicit donations from passing motorists.

According to Deleon Guerrero, the donation drive is part of ongoing efforts to help Rota, which is still reeling from the effects of a typhoon.

“We’re doing quite OK,” the lawmaker said, commenting on the cash donations from passing motorists.