I AM a Filipino national working here in the CNMI and I am disappointed over the events that are taking place on Saipan. Of course, we would like an increase in wages but if this happens, I feel that my job or my other office workers may be in jeopardy if the company decides to close down or cut back.
How is the U.S. going to help me or my family if my job is lost since my earnings are used to help my family financially? Will the U.S. Congress give me a subsistence allowance if we lose our jobs?
The economy of Saipan is not good and I am concerned about our well being if this proposed increase is to happen without consulting the government of Saipan, or the local people. If the guest worker program gets cut, what will the entire Filipinos do when we go back home since we cannot get our old jobs back and the competition is very hard. I heard from some friends that usually Filipinos from Saipan usually go to the Middle East to try supporting their family or try to start a small store in the P.I. How is this fair to us who do not want the U.S. to intervene?
Filipinos are quiet people and the Dekada are not true Filipinos because true Filipinos are very respectful and know that we are only here as guest workers and we want to work. If this is Saudi Arabia or Israel would the Dekada be fighting for citizenship, I think not. Also, if the president of Dekada does not have a job why is he not skinny and categorically and emphatically very fat. Is he getting fat at his members’ expense?

GERARDO BUTALID
Susupe, Saipan