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Palacios to represent Commonwealth on APIL board
Sen. Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan) has been appointed to represent the CNMI on the board of the Association of the Pacific Island Legislatures.
Palacios, who is also Senate floor leader, succeeds former senator Pete Reyes, who was the Senate representative for the Commonwealth on the 2013-2014 APIL board.
Senate President Victor B. Hocog (Ind-Rota) appointed Palacios in a letter to APIL president Sen. Kenneth Kedi of the Marshall Islands.
In the letter, Hocog said, “Senator Palacios possesses the credential, knowledge, and experience that would be of valuable asset to the APIL organization.”
“I am confident in his professionalism and in working collaboratively with our islands’ counterparts toward improving the standards and livelihoods of our island community,” Hocog said.
The APIL seeks to organize a permanent association of mutual assistance by representatives of the people of the Pacific Islands.
In its website, APIL said it seeks to address issues “that may include, but are not limited to, those arising in the areas of resources and economic development, commerce, legislation, energy, regional security and defense, communications, cultural appreciation, health and social services, education, agriculture, air and sea transportation, aquaculture, sports and recreation, youth and senior citizens, tourism, finance, political status, external relations, and development banking.”
APIL members include American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap), Guam, Marshall Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Kiribati, and Nauru. (Joel D. Pinaroc)
