By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

LOCAL youths are urging the Legislature and the community to support and assist in building a healthcare facility on the Kagman High School campus, which they say can help prevent teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases among students and teenagers.
During the opening of the 5th Annual Youth Summit yesterday, 135 students from Saipan, Rota and Tinian were one in saying that schools, community, and government agencies should act together to resolve youth issues in the commonwealth.
Organized by the 9th CNMI Youth Congress, the event was held in Charley’s Cabaret at the Pacific Islands Club.
It drew the participation of various representatives of groups and agencies such as the Community Guidance Center, the Department of Public Health, and Northern Marianas College.
Youth Congress Speaker Matthew Deleon Guerrero, in his opening remarks, said the major objective of the event is for young people to consider the concepts presented to them by the guest speakers.
“Today’s focus of discussion is teen pregnancy and how to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases among our youth…these are concerns that need to be addressed and it has been the consensus of a majority of the participants to establish a healthcare facility on (the) campus…(of) Kagman High School,” Deleon Guerrero said.
He said Marianas High School is the only public school that has the facility.
The Youth Congress, he added, has already adopted a resolution seeking assistance from the Legislature.
Deleon Guerrero said the Public School System and the Department of Public Health are willing to extend assistance by providing the classroom, equipment and materials as well as personnel.
During yesterday’s presentation, a Public Health representative said abstinence is still the best way to prevent teen pregnancy and the spread of STDs.
Today, participants will discuss the minimum wage and immigration issues, as well as Article 12.
“We have selected speakers who will share their insights about these important issues,” Deleon Guerrero said, adding that they have prepared a set of questions for their guests which will include former Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider, Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Juan T. Guerrero, and Marianas Visitor Authority vice chairwoman Marian Aldan-Pierce.
Other issues that were discussed yesterday were the importance of the Saipan Higher Educational Financial Assistance and the programs of Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research Education and Extension.
“This summit is very timely for us so we can be aware of issues that can impact our lives,” Deleon Guerrero said.