There is a newly formed organization that is out and about to help make the CNMI more beautiful and attractive. The BEAUTIFY CNMI Coalition (I love the sound of that) has begun efforts to clean up and maintain the natural beauty of the islands of the Northern Marianas...
Click HERE to read the rest of the blog post.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Local People Solving Local Problems
This Editorial appeared on the pages of the Marianas Variety on Friday, June 23, 2006:
We all have to pitch in
By Zaldy Dandan
Variety Editor
A COALITION of government agencies and private sector organizations, Beautify CNMI, has begun its tree planting activities and has put up a recycling booth at the Liberation carnival grounds across from the Kristo Rai Church.
This new group is one of the many organizations out there that are taking the initiative to do what must be done to make these islands a better place not only for visitors but for residents as well.
With the government broke and scraping for funds for its many obligations, residents will have to rely more and more on their own efforts to get most things done. The government cannot do everything for us. Nor should it do so.
Ensuring that we all live in a healthy, clean and safe environment is a never-ending task that requires all of us to do our part. It makes perfect economic sense to make this place more attractive to visitors. And it is common sense to help clean up the place we call home.
We are hoping that more groups, more communities and more individuals will lend a hand to Beautify CNMI.
(For more information, call DEQ at 664-8500 or Marianas Resource Conservation & Development at 236-0894.)
We all have to pitch in
By Zaldy Dandan
Variety Editor
A COALITION of government agencies and private sector organizations, Beautify CNMI, has begun its tree planting activities and has put up a recycling booth at the Liberation carnival grounds across from the Kristo Rai Church.
This new group is one of the many organizations out there that are taking the initiative to do what must be done to make these islands a better place not only for visitors but for residents as well.
With the government broke and scraping for funds for its many obligations, residents will have to rely more and more on their own efforts to get most things done. The government cannot do everything for us. Nor should it do so.
Ensuring that we all live in a healthy, clean and safe environment is a never-ending task that requires all of us to do our part. It makes perfect economic sense to make this place more attractive to visitors. And it is common sense to help clean up the place we call home.
We are hoping that more groups, more communities and more individuals will lend a hand to Beautify CNMI.
(For more information, call DEQ at 664-8500 or Marianas Resource Conservation & Development at 236-0894.)
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Beautify CNMI in the News
Saipan Tribune, Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Beautify CNMI kicks off tree planting project
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
The Beautify CNMI's subcommittee on restoration officially kicked off yesterday morning its tree planting project with a symbolic planting of four flame trees along Beach Road near the 13 Fishermen's Monument in Garapan.
Rep. Cinta Kaipat, Saipan Mayor Juan. B. Tudela, restoration subcommittee chair Ken Kramer, Division of Parks and Recreation director Tony T. Benavente, and Department of Public Works special project coordinator Joseph Muna Mendiola led the ceremonial shoveling of soil for the Beautify CNMI's first planted tree.
Kaipat said it is only the beginning of their effort to beautify the CNMI by looking at various sites on island to plant flame trees and other beautiful trees and flowers "that will help enhance the beauty of our islands."
Kaipat recalled that his late father, Francisco Borja Kaipat, when he worked for the agriculture program for the Marianas in the 1960s, led a group of people who planted about 800 to 900 flame trees on Saipan.
"The old flame trees that we see today are the product of that work," said the representative, who is behind the Beautify CNMI campaign.
She said she is not sure where his father got all the flame tree seedlings, but she believes he got them from Hawaii where he did a lot of training then.
"This has become a kind of family tradition. My late brother, Saturn, who worked for the Marianas Vistors Bureau, also worked on the planting of flame trees in [the] Marpi area," she said.
"Now, I'm here sort of standing in to continue the tradition and I am so thrilled that people like Ken [Kramer] and all the wonderful people of the Beautify CNMI campaign who also believe that we need to plant more trees," Kaipat added.
Kramer said the four flame trees are symbolic of the many trees that their group is going to plant in various areas on the island.
When asked how many trees or plants they are aiming for, Kramer was quick to respond: " As many as it takes to make this place a nice place to live in."
Aside from flame trees, Kramer said they are also going to plant gold showers, plumerias, coconut trees, and other types of trees.
The Division of Parks and Recreations provided the flame trees for planting.
Tudela said the tree planting is one of the projects of the Beautify CNMI.
"Today we will be planting trees to show the public that we're still interested in having the trees grow for the shade and for the beautification of the island," Tudela said.
Angelo Villagomez, a member of the restoration subcommittee, earlier said that members and volunteers, in conjunction with some government agencies, are going to replace some of the damaged and dying flame trees on Beach Road.
Villagomez said the tree planting will also be along Airport Road, Middle Road, and the northern part of the island.
Beautify CNMI is a coalition of different government agencies and private sectors. Its mission is to support a "comprehensive and collaborative partnership between the citizens of the Commonwealth, the government and private sectors, and non-profit organization by establishing a comprehensive beautification campaign through enhancement and enforcement of legislation through public education on recycling, restoration and waste management."
Beautify CNMI kicks off tree planting project
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
The Beautify CNMI's subcommittee on restoration officially kicked off yesterday morning its tree planting project with a symbolic planting of four flame trees along Beach Road near the 13 Fishermen's Monument in Garapan.
Rep. Cinta Kaipat, Saipan Mayor Juan. B. Tudela, restoration subcommittee chair Ken Kramer, Division of Parks and Recreation director Tony T. Benavente, and Department of Public Works special project coordinator Joseph Muna Mendiola led the ceremonial shoveling of soil for the Beautify CNMI's first planted tree.
Kaipat said it is only the beginning of their effort to beautify the CNMI by looking at various sites on island to plant flame trees and other beautiful trees and flowers "that will help enhance the beauty of our islands."
Kaipat recalled that his late father, Francisco Borja Kaipat, when he worked for the agriculture program for the Marianas in the 1960s, led a group of people who planted about 800 to 900 flame trees on Saipan.
"The old flame trees that we see today are the product of that work," said the representative, who is behind the Beautify CNMI campaign.
She said she is not sure where his father got all the flame tree seedlings, but she believes he got them from Hawaii where he did a lot of training then.
"This has become a kind of family tradition. My late brother, Saturn, who worked for the Marianas Vistors Bureau, also worked on the planting of flame trees in [the] Marpi area," she said.
"Now, I'm here sort of standing in to continue the tradition and I am so thrilled that people like Ken [Kramer] and all the wonderful people of the Beautify CNMI campaign who also believe that we need to plant more trees," Kaipat added.
Kramer said the four flame trees are symbolic of the many trees that their group is going to plant in various areas on the island.
When asked how many trees or plants they are aiming for, Kramer was quick to respond: " As many as it takes to make this place a nice place to live in."
Aside from flame trees, Kramer said they are also going to plant gold showers, plumerias, coconut trees, and other types of trees.
The Division of Parks and Recreations provided the flame trees for planting.
Tudela said the tree planting is one of the projects of the Beautify CNMI.
"Today we will be planting trees to show the public that we're still interested in having the trees grow for the shade and for the beautification of the island," Tudela said.
Angelo Villagomez, a member of the restoration subcommittee, earlier said that members and volunteers, in conjunction with some government agencies, are going to replace some of the damaged and dying flame trees on Beach Road.
Villagomez said the tree planting will also be along Airport Road, Middle Road, and the northern part of the island.
Beautify CNMI is a coalition of different government agencies and private sectors. Its mission is to support a "comprehensive and collaborative partnership between the citizens of the Commonwealth, the government and private sectors, and non-profit organization by establishing a comprehensive beautification campaign through enhancement and enforcement of legislation through public education on recycling, restoration and waste management."
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Beautify CNMI in the News
Saipan Tribune, Monday, June 12, 2006
Zero tolerance month eyed vs littering, illegal dumping
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
The Beautify CNMI is planning to have one month declared as zero-tolerance month, to go after people engaged in littering and illegal dumping in the CNMI.
Steve Hiney, chairman of the Beautify CNMI's anti-littering/illegal dumping subcommittee, disclosed that one of the things that their group is working on is to enforce zero tolerance against littering or illegal dumping for a month or a couple of weeks, similar to the zero tolerance campaign against those not wearing seat belts.
Under the program they will bridge the enforcement and outreach activities, said Hiney during Friday's official launching of the Beautify CNMI at the Division of Environmental Quality's conference room.
He explained that to realize the project, they need to have coordination among concerned agencies by gathering together DEQ, the Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, Department of Public Lands, and the Marianas Visitors Authority. These agencies have their respective anti-littering enforcement officers and it is the group's plan to bring all these enforcement personnel together in a coordinated drive against littering.
Hiney said they want to make sure that the people issuing citations to violators are trained or certified to do so.
The chairman also mentioned that one of the first things that the group discussed in their meeting was the need to educate people on the difference between littering and illegal dumping.
"Litter is typically when you're driving down the street or walking on the side of the road and you drop a can or small bag of trash. That is littering," he said.
"One of the things that we want to look as a working group is to have a stage or phase level of fines that.the more you dump, the more you pay," he said.
Hiney said in their outreach campaign, there is a need to coordinate agency outreach materials such as flyers, posters, videos and other things.
During the launching of the group, the subcommittees announced various ongoing and upcoming community projects. Aside from Hiney, present were Tony Benavente of the subcommittee on junk goods, Tina Sablan of the recycling subcommittee, Angelo Villagomez of the restoration subcommittee, Lysander Tudela of the Northern Marianas College, and Reina Camacho of the outreach/publicity subcommittee.
Beautify CNMI is a coalition of different government agencies and private sector.
Zero tolerance month eyed vs littering, illegal dumping
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
The Beautify CNMI is planning to have one month declared as zero-tolerance month, to go after people engaged in littering and illegal dumping in the CNMI.
Steve Hiney, chairman of the Beautify CNMI's anti-littering/illegal dumping subcommittee, disclosed that one of the things that their group is working on is to enforce zero tolerance against littering or illegal dumping for a month or a couple of weeks, similar to the zero tolerance campaign against those not wearing seat belts.
Under the program they will bridge the enforcement and outreach activities, said Hiney during Friday's official launching of the Beautify CNMI at the Division of Environmental Quality's conference room.
He explained that to realize the project, they need to have coordination among concerned agencies by gathering together DEQ, the Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, Department of Public Lands, and the Marianas Visitors Authority. These agencies have their respective anti-littering enforcement officers and it is the group's plan to bring all these enforcement personnel together in a coordinated drive against littering.
Hiney said they want to make sure that the people issuing citations to violators are trained or certified to do so.
The chairman also mentioned that one of the first things that the group discussed in their meeting was the need to educate people on the difference between littering and illegal dumping.
"Litter is typically when you're driving down the street or walking on the side of the road and you drop a can or small bag of trash. That is littering," he said.
"One of the things that we want to look as a working group is to have a stage or phase level of fines that.the more you dump, the more you pay," he said.
Hiney said in their outreach campaign, there is a need to coordinate agency outreach materials such as flyers, posters, videos and other things.
During the launching of the group, the subcommittees announced various ongoing and upcoming community projects. Aside from Hiney, present were Tony Benavente of the subcommittee on junk goods, Tina Sablan of the recycling subcommittee, Angelo Villagomez of the restoration subcommittee, Lysander Tudela of the Northern Marianas College, and Reina Camacho of the outreach/publicity subcommittee.
Beautify CNMI is a coalition of different government agencies and private sector.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Beautify CNMI in the News
Saipan Tribune, Sunday, June 11, 2006
Group: 18,000 junk cars on the island
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
There are an estimated 18,000 junk cars scattered all over the island, according to the Beautify CNMI's subcommittee on junk goods. Most of them are on private lots, auto shops, and other places.
Tony Benavente said his subcommittee wants to eliminate environmental hazard and risk by reducing the number of junk cars, scrap metals, household appliances on roadways and residential area on Saipan.
The subcommittee's concern is lack of adequate funding for the proper equipment to remove these 18,000 junk cars and scrap metals, said Benavente, who is representing the Saipan Mayor's Office, during Friday's official launching of the Beautify CNMI.
Beautify CNMI is an environmental coalition of different government agencies and private sector.
Steve Hiney of the Department of Public Works agreed with Benavente's estimate of junked cars on the island.
Hiney and Benavente also cited the lack of land that could be used as storage/disposal area for these junk goods.
Benavente said that two weeks ago, they had a meeting with a potential company in Guam that is ready to collect and ship out these cars off-island.
"At this time, we are in the early stage. What we are trying to do right now is identify the places where we usually find junk cars," he said.
If everything goes well, Benavente said, probably by late November or early December the hauling of these cars as well as scrap metals will start.
In the meantime, Benavente said they are advising the owners of these junk cars to be ready when the times comes for the chosen firm to pick these items up.
He said he has seen places were junk cars are piled up as the shops closed and leave the cars.
"Just like a couple of months ago, there was a guy trying to have the Mayor's Office get rid of probably 15 junk cars from the person that leased the place from him. But we could not do it because in the first place that was a commercial establishment," he added.
Group: 18,000 junk cars on the island
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
There are an estimated 18,000 junk cars scattered all over the island, according to the Beautify CNMI's subcommittee on junk goods. Most of them are on private lots, auto shops, and other places.
Tony Benavente said his subcommittee wants to eliminate environmental hazard and risk by reducing the number of junk cars, scrap metals, household appliances on roadways and residential area on Saipan.
The subcommittee's concern is lack of adequate funding for the proper equipment to remove these 18,000 junk cars and scrap metals, said Benavente, who is representing the Saipan Mayor's Office, during Friday's official launching of the Beautify CNMI.
Beautify CNMI is an environmental coalition of different government agencies and private sector.
Steve Hiney of the Department of Public Works agreed with Benavente's estimate of junked cars on the island.
Hiney and Benavente also cited the lack of land that could be used as storage/disposal area for these junk goods.
Benavente said that two weeks ago, they had a meeting with a potential company in Guam that is ready to collect and ship out these cars off-island.
"At this time, we are in the early stage. What we are trying to do right now is identify the places where we usually find junk cars," he said.
If everything goes well, Benavente said, probably by late November or early December the hauling of these cars as well as scrap metals will start.
In the meantime, Benavente said they are advising the owners of these junk cars to be ready when the times comes for the chosen firm to pick these items up.
He said he has seen places were junk cars are piled up as the shops closed and leave the cars.
"Just like a couple of months ago, there was a guy trying to have the Mayor's Office get rid of probably 15 junk cars from the person that leased the place from him. But we could not do it because in the first place that was a commercial establishment," he added.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Beautify CNMI in the News
Saipan Tribune, Saturday, June 10, 2006
Beautify CNMI takes off with projects in sight
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
The "Beautify CNMI," a coalition of different government agencies and private sector, was officially launched yesterday with the announcement of various ongoing and upcoming community projects.
During a news briefing at the Division of Environmental Quality's conference room in Gualo Rai, Tina Sablan, chair of the Group's recycling subcommittee, briefly explained the history behind the establishment of the Beautify CNMI.
Sablan also read the group's mission or vision, which was prepared by Rep. Cinta Kaipat.
Sablan said the vision is to put up a "comprehensive and collaborative partnership between the citizens of the Commonwealth, the government and private sectors, and non-profit organization by establishing a comprehensive beautification campaign through enhancement and enforcement of legislation through public education on recycling, restoration and waste management."
She said the goal of the recycling subcommittee is to reduce waste through the promotion of recycling on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
"We focused on three pilot projects," said Sablan, citing the ongoing recycling awareness program at Fishing Base, the site of the Liberation Day carnival.
"We've got Power Inc. volunteers monitoring the ground, collecting aluminum cans and plastic bottles from the carnival ground," she said.
The Division of Environmental Quality provided the recycling bins, while Pacific Trading contributed the banners, and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce gave the cash incentive.
Sablan said their two other projects are a school recycling program and a Managaha recycling program.
Angelo Villagomez, who appeared at the conference on behalf of restoration subcommittee chairman Ken Kramer, mentioned three projects that they are going to implement.
"Saipan is a beautiful place, but there are a few areas on island that need a little improvement. That's where the restoration sub-committee comes in," Villagomez said.
Villagomez said their first priority is tree planting.
"Later this month, members and volunteers are going to replace some of the damaged and dying flame trees on Beach Road in conjunction with some government agencies," he said.
Kramer's group also has plans to plant trees throughout the island during the rainy season.
"We already identified Airport Road, Middle Road, and the northern part of the island as areas where we want to do our first planting," Villagomez said.
In the meantime, he said they are looking for volunteers who could donate old five-gallon containers that they can use as planters.
In their improvement pilot project, Villagomez said they have identified the Middle Road area between Pizza Hut and Chalan Monsignor Guerrero intersection as the place that will benefit from the restoration plan.
He said they are working on the project with the Coastal Resources Management and Northern Marianas College to come up with the plan on how to improve the area.
Finally, Villagomez said, they are going to work on the restoration and the protection of numerous historic sites.
Also present in the conference were subcommittee officials and members Lysander Tudela of NMC, Tony Benavente of the Mayor's Office, and Steve Hiney of the Department of Public Works. They also disclosed their group's projects.
Beautify CNMI takes off with projects in sight
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
The "Beautify CNMI," a coalition of different government agencies and private sector, was officially launched yesterday with the announcement of various ongoing and upcoming community projects.
During a news briefing at the Division of Environmental Quality's conference room in Gualo Rai, Tina Sablan, chair of the Group's recycling subcommittee, briefly explained the history behind the establishment of the Beautify CNMI.
Sablan also read the group's mission or vision, which was prepared by Rep. Cinta Kaipat.
Sablan said the vision is to put up a "comprehensive and collaborative partnership between the citizens of the Commonwealth, the government and private sectors, and non-profit organization by establishing a comprehensive beautification campaign through enhancement and enforcement of legislation through public education on recycling, restoration and waste management."
She said the goal of the recycling subcommittee is to reduce waste through the promotion of recycling on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
"We focused on three pilot projects," said Sablan, citing the ongoing recycling awareness program at Fishing Base, the site of the Liberation Day carnival.
"We've got Power Inc. volunteers monitoring the ground, collecting aluminum cans and plastic bottles from the carnival ground," she said.
The Division of Environmental Quality provided the recycling bins, while Pacific Trading contributed the banners, and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce gave the cash incentive.
Sablan said their two other projects are a school recycling program and a Managaha recycling program.
Angelo Villagomez, who appeared at the conference on behalf of restoration subcommittee chairman Ken Kramer, mentioned three projects that they are going to implement.
"Saipan is a beautiful place, but there are a few areas on island that need a little improvement. That's where the restoration sub-committee comes in," Villagomez said.
Villagomez said their first priority is tree planting.
"Later this month, members and volunteers are going to replace some of the damaged and dying flame trees on Beach Road in conjunction with some government agencies," he said.
Kramer's group also has plans to plant trees throughout the island during the rainy season.
"We already identified Airport Road, Middle Road, and the northern part of the island as areas where we want to do our first planting," Villagomez said.
In the meantime, he said they are looking for volunteers who could donate old five-gallon containers that they can use as planters.
In their improvement pilot project, Villagomez said they have identified the Middle Road area between Pizza Hut and Chalan Monsignor Guerrero intersection as the place that will benefit from the restoration plan.
He said they are working on the project with the Coastal Resources Management and Northern Marianas College to come up with the plan on how to improve the area.
Finally, Villagomez said, they are going to work on the restoration and the protection of numerous historic sites.
Also present in the conference were subcommittee officials and members Lysander Tudela of NMC, Tony Benavente of the Mayor's Office, and Steve Hiney of the Department of Public Works. They also disclosed their group's projects.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Beautify CNMI in the News
Saipan Tribune, Sunday, June 4, 2006
Recycling project takes off at Lib Day site
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
The Beautification Group, a coalition of different government agencies and private sector, kicked off Friday one of its community projects-a place for recycling awareness-at the Liberation activities venue at Fishing Base in Garapan.
Tina Sablan, chair of the group's recycling subcommittee, told the media that it is part of the "Beautify CNMI" campaign headed by Rep. Cinta Kaipat with the participation of the government, private sector, non-profit organizations and individual volunteers.
"The Liberation Day committee has shown their full support. One of the projects of the recycling subcommittee that I chair is to promote recycling in the community and this is the first time that we're doing this," Sablan said.
She said the Division of Environmental Quality is providing the materials needed for the recycling program, while Power Inc. will be providing volunteers to watch the recycling containers throughout the festival.
"They [volunteers] are going to be reminding residents where they should put their plastic bottles and aluminum cans," Sablan said.
The recycling containers, she said, will be distributed around the carnival grounds.
"Power Inc. will be coming in every night to pick up the cans and bottles and take them down to the transfer station," Sablan said, adding that the Saipan Chamber of Commerce is providing funds for the project.
"This is just the start of the Beautify CNMI campaign. There will be more projects to come," she added.
Tony Cabrera, overall chairman of the Liberation Day committee, thanked Sablan for initiating the project at the Liberation Day festivity grounds.
Cabrera said recycling is a habit where the CNMI should continue educating people.
"The schools, the businesses are involved and DEQ is spearheading the program," Cabrera said.
Tony Benavente of the Mayor's Office said Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela fully supports the newly created intergovernmental beautification task force, with DEQ as the main coordinator for the whole group.
"The mayor is asking the cooperation of the public both here at the site and everywhere on Saipan to please let's keep our island beautiful and clean," Benavente said.
Steve Hiney, consultant of the Department of Public Works solid waste management issues, said DPW Secretary Jose S. Demapan is a big supporter of efforts toward preserving the pristine environment of the islands.
" Really this is just a beginning. This is our first kick off of what's going to be a multifaceted beautification effort. It is not just recycling but it is dealing with littering, dealing with public education." Hiney said.
Recycling project takes off at Lib Day site
Story by Ferdie de la Torre
The Beautification Group, a coalition of different government agencies and private sector, kicked off Friday one of its community projects-a place for recycling awareness-at the Liberation activities venue at Fishing Base in Garapan.
Tina Sablan, chair of the group's recycling subcommittee, told the media that it is part of the "Beautify CNMI" campaign headed by Rep. Cinta Kaipat with the participation of the government, private sector, non-profit organizations and individual volunteers.
"The Liberation Day committee has shown their full support. One of the projects of the recycling subcommittee that I chair is to promote recycling in the community and this is the first time that we're doing this," Sablan said.
She said the Division of Environmental Quality is providing the materials needed for the recycling program, while Power Inc. will be providing volunteers to watch the recycling containers throughout the festival.
"They [volunteers] are going to be reminding residents where they should put their plastic bottles and aluminum cans," Sablan said.
The recycling containers, she said, will be distributed around the carnival grounds.
"Power Inc. will be coming in every night to pick up the cans and bottles and take them down to the transfer station," Sablan said, adding that the Saipan Chamber of Commerce is providing funds for the project.
"This is just the start of the Beautify CNMI campaign. There will be more projects to come," she added.
Tony Cabrera, overall chairman of the Liberation Day committee, thanked Sablan for initiating the project at the Liberation Day festivity grounds.
Cabrera said recycling is a habit where the CNMI should continue educating people.
"The schools, the businesses are involved and DEQ is spearheading the program," Cabrera said.
Tony Benavente of the Mayor's Office said Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela fully supports the newly created intergovernmental beautification task force, with DEQ as the main coordinator for the whole group.
"The mayor is asking the cooperation of the public both here at the site and everywhere on Saipan to please let's keep our island beautiful and clean," Benavente said.
Steve Hiney, consultant of the Department of Public Works solid waste management issues, said DPW Secretary Jose S. Demapan is a big supporter of efforts toward preserving the pristine environment of the islands.
" Really this is just a beginning. This is our first kick off of what's going to be a multifaceted beautification effort. It is not just recycling but it is dealing with littering, dealing with public education." Hiney said.
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