Island Snapshots – May 2023

By Press Release

Posted on May 01 2023

: EDA FOLLOW-UP-Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang met with representatives from the Economic Development Administration—EDA regional administrator Sheba Person-Whitley and EDA Pacific representative Keoki Noji—last Friday to discuss updates on the EDA-funded projects in the CNMI, which include facilities to address disaster recovery, workforce development, and economic diversification. They were joined at the meeting by Pacific Basin Development Council executive director Esther Kia’aina, and PBDC program director Jay Rojas. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: ZERO SHADOW DAY-Saipan experienced a Zero Shadow Day at exactly 12:19pm yesterday. Photo shows the columns around the globe memorial at the entrance to the Visitors Center at the American Memorial Park casting no shadow, in contrast to the benches on the foreground. According to Google, Zero Shadow is a phenomenon when the sun is exactly overhead and the shadows of symmetrical and vertical objects vanishes. This happens for locations between the tropics and is caused by the northern and southern motion of the sun during the course of a year. (MARK RABAGO)

: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN SPOTLIGHT-Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang is joined by Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services acting commissioner Juan T. Pua, DFEMS personnel, and Cabinet officials in front of the Office of the Governor last May 1 after proclaiming the week of May 21-27, 2023 as Emergency Medical Services Week, with this year’s theme, “Where Emergency Care Begins,”’ and May 24, 2023, as Emergency Medical Services for Children Day. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN SPOTLIGHT-Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang is joined by Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services acting commissioner Juan T. Pua, DFEMS personnel, and Cabinet officials in front of the Office of the Governor last May 1 after proclaiming the week of May 21-27, 2023 as Emergency Medical Services Week, with this year’s theme, “Where Emergency Care Begins,”’ and May 24, 2023, as Emergency Medical Services for Children Day. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH-Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang is joined by Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. CEO Dr. Esther L. Muña, other CHCC officials, partnering agencies, local dignitaries, and members of the community after Apatang, in his capacity as acting governor, designated the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month during a proclamation signing ceremony at the Saipan World Resort yesterday. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: NMI CRIME STOPPERS MONTH-Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang is joined by Department of Public Safety Commissioner Clement R. Bermudes, NMI Crime Stoppers chair Brian Clayton, and members of DPS and NMI Crime Stoppers in front of the Office of the Governor after designating the month of May as NMI Crime Stoppers Month. The purpose of the program is to bring together the community and DPS by providing anonymous tips about crimes that occur in our Commonwealth. This has resulted in over 2,140 tips, 304 arrests, the recovery of $298,233 in stolen property, and the seizure of nearly $2,727,575 worth of illegal narcotics. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: NEW DPW CHIEF-Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang pose for a picture with newly sworn-in Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul. Palacios administered the oath of office to Yumul last Thursday at the Office of the Governor conference room. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: NEWLY ADOPTED BUS SHELTER-Officers of the Northern Marianas Insurance Association pose with the newly repainted Bus Stop No.103 in San Vicente, which the association adopted as part of their community service projects. This project is done in coordination with the Public School System and in connection with the Saipan Beautification Project. This project was conceived last year and became a reality this year. NMIA is also involved in scholarship grants and calamity assistance projects, particularly during typhoons. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: PORT CALL-Capt. Brent Spillner, center, commanding officer of the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), speaks to local media outlets after the tender arrived on Saipan for a scheduled port visit last May 2. Spillner is accompanied in this photo by Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, left. Emory S. Land is tasked to provide expeditionary intermediate-level maintenance and repairs, services, and logistics support to deployed submarines. (U.S. NAVY/MCS1 VICTORIA KINNEY)

: SPOTTED ABOUT TOWN-Rick Babauta’s siblings, who are visiting Saipan for the first time from Florida, have their picture taken with Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, third from right. Photo shows, from left, Natan, Rick, Celest, Annie, and Debbie. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES WEEK-Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang sign the proclamation to designate the week of May 7-13, 2023, as CNMI Correctional Officers and Employees Week. Joining Palacios and Apatang at the ceremony were Corrections Commissioner Anthony C. Torres, Department of Corrections personnel, local dignitaries, and members of the community. Torres was also formally pinned as the Department of Corrections commissioner at the same ceremony. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: COURTESY VISIT -Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and honorary governor Ana Nakatsukasa received Friday a courtesy visit from the Japanese Association for Recovery & Repatriation of War Casualties during their third trip to the CNMI. The JARRWC is an organization designated by the Government of Japan tasked with conducting field recovery and repatriation of Japanese war remains. They recently conducted field recovery operations on Saipan and are about to continue their work on Tinian following their last visit back in February of this year. Nakatsukasa was designated as honorary CNMI governor on Friday as part of the celebration of May as Older Americans Month or Mes Man’amko. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: OFFICIALS FOR A DAY-Honorary governor Ana Nakatsukasa, left, and honorary lieutenant governor Genia Draper take over the Governor’s Office as part of Man Åmku’ Takeover Day celebration last Friday. The occasion was part of Older Americans Month activities. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang proclaimed the month of May 2023 as Older Americans Month, also known as Mes Man Åmku’ and Marameer Tuufey, with this year’s theme, “Aging Unbound.” (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: BLUE MASS-Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, alongside law enforcement officers and law enforcement department heads, are blessed during the annual Blue Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral. The Mass paid tribute to law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and those who continue to serve today. The occasion was also in line with the proclamation that designated the week of May 14-20, 2023 as CNMI Police Week. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: POLICE WEEK-Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, along with Public Safety Commissioner Clement R. Bermudes, Fire and Emergency Medical Services acting commissioner Juan A. Pua, Corrections Commissioner Anthony C. Torres, Commonwealth Ports Authority Ports Police chief Juan T. Dela Cruz, and representatives of various law enforcement agencies gather yesterday morning at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral for the Blue Mass, which paid tribute to fallen law enforcement officers, as well as those who continue to serve today. The event was part of the annual observance of CNMI Police Week. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: MES MAN’AMKO-The Saipan Mayor’s Office hosted lunch Monday for the elderly congregants at the Office on Aging in Garapan and distributed Mother’s Day gifts for man’amko mothers. The CNMI celebrates the month of May as Mes Man’amko or Elderly Americans Month. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: ROAD PROJECT-Work continues apace in the Beach Road Improvement Project on this stretch of the road across Mt. Carmel Cathedral. Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul said that contractor GPPC and Department of Public Works project managers and engineers recently met to go through the timelines and other related matters. (LEIGH GASES)

: MES MAN’AMKO-Ana Nakatsukasa, left, and Genia Draper, are named the honorary governor and honorary lieutenant governor, respectively during the Man Åmku’ Takeover Day last May 12, 2023. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang have proclaimed the month of May 2023 as Older Americans Month, also known as Mes Man Åmku’ and Marameer Tuufey, with this year’s theme, “Aging Unbound.” (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: Honorary lieutenant governor Genia Draper, signs a document during the Man Åmku’ Takeover Day last May 12, 2023, at the Office of the Governor. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: Honorary governor Ana Nakatsukasa meets with special assistant for Administration Oscar M. Babauta. Nakatsukasa and honorary lieutenant governor Genia Draper toured the Juan A. Sablan Building, and visited the Office of Management and Budget, Capital Improvement Project – Hazard Mitigation Program, the Special Assistant for Administration, and the Office of the Attorney General. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: Honorary governor Ana Nakatsukasa meets with staff from the Office of the Attorney General. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: Honorary governor Ana Nakatsukasa meets with staff from the Office of the Attorney General. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: Honorary governor Ana Nakatsukasa meets with fellow Man Åmku’ Takeover Day participants from the Legislature. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: PEACE OFFICERS’ MEMORIAL-Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, alongside law enforcement officers and law enforcement department heads, gather at the Department of Public Safety’s Peace Officers’ Memorial Monument yesterday as part of Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: Two police officers lay a wreath at the Department of Public Safety’s Peace Officers’ Memorial Monument yesterday as part of Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: OPENING COLOR GUARD-The Manta Ray Battalion Color Guard of Saipan Southern High School supports the opening ceremony for the Southern Isla Community Health Center in San Antonio last May 13. The cadets presented the national colors for the U.S. and the CNMI flags, with the anthems sung by cadet 2Lt Logan Mendiola. The Manta Ray Battalion Color Guard posted the colors and later retired them. The U.S. flag was carried by cadet Maj. Malention Amandus, who commanded the Color Guard Team. He was flanked by cadet SSG Eman Barce as the left guard and cadet 2Lt Jolash Saluta as the right guard. Cadet 1SG Sean Villaluz carried the CNMI flag. Senior Army instructor, Command Sgt. Ma. (Ret.) Richard Basa, accompanied the color guard team. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: PEACEFUL PROTEST-Raymond Quitugua, left, and Herman Tudela hold a peaceful protest across the District Court for the NMI building in Gualo Rai on Monday. According to the pair, they are invoking their indigenous right under the United Nation resolution 683 to address their questions about the conflicting stories regarding the CNMI national flag and the inclusion of the mwaar as they believe it is not indigenous to the Chamorro culture. (KIMBERLY B. ESMORES)

: PRESENTING THE COLORS-The Kagman High School Color Guard presented the colors at the annual Track & Field event held at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium’s track in Oleai last Friday, May 5, 2023. The event was the middle school and high school championships. The Kagman High JROTC Color Guard consisted of four members: cadet Sgt. Damian Torres, right guard; cadet 2Lt. Manuel Babauta, who held the U.S. flag; cadet 1SG Jarrod Muña, who held the CNMI flag; and cadet 2Lt Kody Palacios, right guard. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: SITE VISIT TO KALABERA CAVE-Gov. Arnold I. Palacios accompanies White House Intergovernmental Affairs associate director for Puerto Rico and Territories Gretchen Sierra-Zorita and newly appointed director of Office of Insular Affairs John D. Brewer on a site visit to the Kalabera Cave, a project funded by the OIA as part of the CNMI’s capital improvement project for Economic Development. Joining them are Capital Improvement Program administrator Elizabeth S. Balajadia, CIP project manager Tim Lang, CIP technical representative Nerissa B. Karakaya, and OIA field representative Harry C. Blanco. Discussions and activities aimed at repairing and improving the site are currently underway. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: DOCTOR OF PHARMACY -Congratulations to Minori Yoshida, PharmD, who graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University, magna cum laude. She is shown here with her parents, Steven and Jane Metaye, during her graduation last May 16, 2023. This Saipan International School alumna had graduated cum laude from the Barnard College at Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and was then accepted into the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: FIELD TRIP-A group of William S. Reyes Elementary School fifth graders poses for a picture in front of the Office of the Governor during a field trip yesterday morning to Capital Hill. The field trip allowed the students to learn more about the CNMI government and the Executive Branch. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

: KATORI CEREMONY TO RESUME-Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Christopher A. Concepcion, third from left, welcomes Katori Shrine chief priest Takeshi Katori of Chiba, Japan, center standing, during a courtesy call on May 17, 2023, at the MVA office in Garapan, Saipan. On Oct. 28, 2023, the Katori group will hold their first annual Katori Shrine Festival at Sugar King Park on Saipan since prior to the pandemic. Also pictured are Marianas Tourism Ambassador Yoichi Matsumura, standing right; Japanese Society Association of Northern Mariana Islands president Seiji Sato, standing second from left; association vice president Hiroko Tenorio, front left, and other dignitaries and MVA staff. (MVA)

: GOOD SAMARITANS!-Jenn and Rudy Guerrero and their boys are opening their hearts and home to foster one of the many adoptable dogs from the Mayor’s Shelter, in collaboration with Saipan Humane Society. Other photo shows another group of Good Samaritans who have also agreed to foster these puppies. In preparation ahead of Typhoon Mawar, SHS is asking families to foster these dogs at least until the storm passes. Foster families are provided with dog food, puppy pads, and a dog lead. Foster families can also adopt their foster if they choose. Fostering is an excellent way to determine if you are cut out to be a fur parent. Contact saipanhumanesociety.org for more information.

: Lt. Raymond Cerrato and Lt. Freddy Hofschneider stand for a photo with Capt. Nicholas Simmons following the transfer of command from Hofschneider to Cerrato during a change of command ceremony for USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) at Victor Pier in Apra Harbor, Guam, on May 19, 2023. (U.S. COAST GUARD/CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER SARA MUIR)

: Lt. Freddy Hofschneider stands for a photo with Seaman Thomason upon the presentation of the ship’s commissioning pennant during a change of command ceremony for USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) at Victor Pier in Apra Harbor, Guam, on May 19, 2023. (U.S. COAST GUARD/CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER SARA MUIR)

: CHANGE OF COMMAND-Lt. Freddy Hofschneider stands for a photo with Capt. Nicholas Simmons following the presentation of a U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal during a change of command ceremony for USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) at Victor Pier in Apra Harbor, Guam, last May 19, 2023. Capt. Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam, presided over the ceremony and was joined by many local officials and dignitaries, including Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Joint Region Marianas, and representatives of both the Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands legislatures. (U.S. COAST GUARD/CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER SARA MUIR)

Press Release

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