In service of others

Next year in 2015 marks 37 years since the people of the Commonwealth elected their first CNMI governor and lieutenant governor, the Honorable Dr. Carlos S. Camacho and the Honorable Lt. Governor Francisco C. Ada. Next year also marks the first inauguration of members of the first House of Representatives and Senate in the Commonwealth Legislature. Today this month, however, just as we have done for the last 36 years, we pause and salute those people in service of others in government and in business, our local workforce who have unselfishly dedicated their lives 365 days each year for the last 36 years since the CNMI becoming a United States Commonwealth, indeed, the bedrock of American political economy overseas.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Covenant with the United States, an agreement which the people in the CNMI have since 1976 accepted the American principles of democracy in a commonwealth relationship, a relationship that we are proud of and one which gives us the reason to proudly fly the CNMI and the U.S. flags 365 days a year for the last 36 years too. No doubt progress in local self-government and the local economy (political economy) have evolved over these periods that have seen major changes in governance, health and safety, and even the economy. In the last several years, however, the combined and cumulative progress, achievement and success made have been taken aback under the present situation, a situation that pegged the CNMI in a no better position than during the heyday of the Trust Territory period.

This situation is simply unacceptable. We must turn things around and away from status quo in the present situation and move swiftly forward in problem solving based on cutting edge and innovative approaches and 21st century solutions that restore the quality of life we are proud of as stewards of our destiny.

No doubt every one vying this year for the office of governor and lieutenant governor and other elective positions in government have in one way or another expressed strong desires to help improve our local economy, make our local and central governance more efficient and effective, and offer unique ideas to improve the health and safety of others in our community.

For Juan S. Torres and I, today, we join our worthy competitors and others in saying “Thank You” to our workforce in government and in business. At the same time, we also are obliged today to invite everyone in service of others to critically examine our ideas (www.babautatorres2014.com) for building sustainable communities in the Commonwealth, which in a nutshell are undergirded in principles consistent with:

• strengthening the fiscal sustainability of the CNMI economy;
• balancing the protection and enhancement of our precious natural resources toward sustainability;
• making preventative and affordable health care primary and advocating food-to-table production and delivery system for buy fresh local produce and products;
• infusing technology and innovation into our workforce training infrastructure for versatile learning and training approaches and opportunities; and
• empowering local governance in local communities that facilitates public-private partnership.

Like probably most, we are keenly aware of and understand the compelling need to increase opportunities for local employment and local wealth creations. Our moving forward vision addresses:

• the pain and suffering by the retirees over the uncertainty of their hard-earned local pension that was worsened by unilateral actions to take away 25 percent of the pension benefits;
• the skyrocketing CUC (utilities) expenses;
• the unaffordable health care services and insurance protection;
• the lack of air service and ocean freight service to Rota;
• the lack of air service to Pagan and the Northern Islands;
• the poor ocean freight service to Tinian;
• the increased drug usage and crime in our communities; and
• the list goes on and on.

To facilitate and make progress in our local economy and other areas in our community in service of others, Juan S. Torres and I remain resolved and focused on improving our local economy; making our local and central governance more efficient and effective; and strengthening the health and safety of others in our community. We do not simply invite investors to invest in the Commonwealth. We want to provide investors a conducive environment that ensures confidence in the integrity and fairness of our government and those who dispense services to others. That confidence has been undermined by recent actions taken in the manner, for instance, in which two Saipan casino bills were drafted, introduced, voted on, and signed into law. The people want to know what is going on in their government. They want to know how their government is conducting business outside of full public view. Yes, providing service to others requires the beneficiaries of services to know how their government, for instance, is spending the peoples’ tax dollars. People are simply fed up with backroom kitchen deals and reckless deals that derail a sense of certainty and predictability and ultimately stability in government service, policy, and procedure (e.g. permitting).

In service of others also requires an open administration, an administration that places good faith, trust, and confidence in the people. This kind of administration respects the people’s right to know what their government is doing and how their government is accomplishing the people’s business. Too many layers of centralized bureaucracy are often counterproductive, stifles growth and delays progress over a system of governance that is geared and operated in a more decentralized provision and delivery of public services, a system that is timely and responsive. This organizational setup not only ensures effective and efficient administration of public services, but also goes a long way to enhancing the health and safety of our community.

In service of others demands well-rounded and diverse experiences by those charged with the provision and delivery of public services to others. Juan S. Torres and I have extensive senior executive experiences in public services and in the private sector. Our collective executive experiences have provided us the insights and knowledge base that are necessary to fully understand and timely deal with the Commonwealth’s multi-faceted problems. Our combined educational portfolio undergirds the manner in which we will implement, deliver, and sustain improved quality of life for others in the CNMI, not just in the short-term but more importantly for the long haul!

Issues which in service of others involve federal assistance and participation could be confidently managed through the CNMI’s unique Covenant 902 process, a process both Juan S. Torres and I had participated in, thus each of us and together are fully familiar with, including the inner workings of Washington, D.C.

For instance, as a former governor and a former representative in D.C., these direct past experiences and relationships with the federal government in Washington, D.C. readily provide me the access and the know-how in successfully navigating and dealing with the myriad of federal agencies in Washington and San Francisco in service of others.

At the same time, Juan’s direct experiences and relationships in local and federal government, including the local business community, readily provide our team access to and the know-how in navigating and dealing successfully with local finance institutions, local banks, and the Retirement Fund, as a former banker and former Retirement Fund administrator.

Together, our collective experiences and established relationships in government and the private sector make us formidable and complementary in service of others, one that often requires the right combination of education, experience, and fitness necessary for timely, efficient, and effective execution, and strategic delivery of sustainable services benefiting others.

In the spirit of coming together, working together and standing proud as people of the Commonwealth is the kind of inheritance that should pass on to our children and their children that they too can be proud. In service of others, we should expect nothing less than to nurture a culture of sustainability calling for bold commitment in striving to achieve certain critical targets not limited to:

Clean energy: 70 percent clean energy—40 percent from renewable alternative and 30 percent from efficiency.

• Local food: At least double local food production—20-30 percent of food consumed is grown locally.
• Natural resource management: Reverse the trend of natural resource loss through increased watershed protection, community-based marine management, invasive species control and native species restoration.
• Waste reduction: Reduce the solid waste stream prior to disposal by 50 percent through source reduction, recycling and bioconversion.
• Smart sustainable communities: Increase livability and resilience in the built environment through planning and implementation at state and county levels.
• Green workforce: Increase local green jobs and education to implement these targets.

Decentralized governance that empowers local communities to engage in public-private partnerships in projects beneficial to all.

Juan S. Torres and I do not promise service of others; rather, it is our commitment in service of others based on our unflinching and unshakeable belief that each individual must be provided an opportunity to succeed that is driven by hard work, continuous learning and self-innovation, and a sincere desire to succeed!

Happy Labor Day 2014! (By Juan N. Babauta and Juan S. Torres / Special to the Saipan Tribune)