Thanks to lawmakers!

I read that Rep. Ed Propst, Rep. Edmund Villagomez, Sen. Sixto Igigomar, and Senate President Arnold Palacios recently initiated important bills and had them passed through the Legislature.

Rep. Propst’s bill penalizes fishing by tourists as an environmental wrongdoing. Maybe, in time, a fishing license will be in place to let our tourists pay a little money and enjoy combining fishing with admiring our remarkable sceneries.

Rep. Villagomez’s bill prohibits the use of cell phones when driving. It will prevent many accidents that might happen when using mobile devices. Drivers using mobile phones may lose control of the situation and keep running their vehicles, showing no respect to pedestrians, especially the elderly. A device to determine the use of cell phones while driving could be invented to help the police stop the car. We heard that devices like these are already in use to determine whether domestic violence is taking place. The device compares the picture from insides of apartment with patterns and lets the police know of a possibly hot situation.

Senate President Palacios is known as a member of the CNMI 902 team. We believe he will continue to advocate for the people of the CNMI as hard he could in both Washington, D.C. and here at home. It is said that he recently drafted a bill to solve land issues.

Mr. Palacios recently joined 76 students who graduated from a training program, underlying his priority for education. He said the training program will contribute to the islands’ economy, development, and progress. It is a signal to local managers to pay more attention to promoting education.

Sen. Igisomar is reportedly collaborating with the Department of Public Works and the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality to address growing problems with solid waste management. Though it will be a long process, it would be worth it because we are talking about keeping the quality of the Marianas. It is right that this matter is among Mr. Igisomar’s priorities. Also, we support the lawmaker’s work with Mayor Apatang to keep Saipan nice and attractive.

We are grateful to our lawmakers’ meaningful efforts to make our beautiful islands a place of prosperity, law, and order. May the Lord bless them even more!

Teddy Guaio
Navy Hill, Saipan