This was emphasized by Ricky Delgado Jr., IT&E chief executive officer, when he led the opening of the new playground at Pakpak Beach in San Antonio on Friday.
“No matter how bad things get we continue to try to do good in this community,” he said, adding that IT&E has been in service in the CNMI for 10 years already.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial expressed his gratitude to IT&E. “I’m very happy that IT&E has demonstrated its social conscience again,” he said.
Delgado said the new playground was a suggestion of one of their employees.
He said IT&E is looking for other projects that can lift the spirit of the people.
“I ask the public to love this as its own,” he said, referring to the playground.
Parks and Recreation Director Tony Benavente said the San Antonio children’s park was developed by the former owner of IT&E which also developed five other parks on island.
Benavente said the old playground at Pakpak Beach was dismantled last September because it was no longer safe.
He is hoping that community members will help maintain the new playground, saying his division does not have enough funds.
“I’m begging any assistance from the community. We’re in tough times,” he added.
His office gets $8,000 in annual operation funds, which are for the maintenance of all parks and pavilion on island.
Speaker Eli Cabrera, R-Saipan, told reporters they will look into the division’s fund needs.
Parks and Recreation requested close to $100,000, he added.
“We are very serious in looking into that and finding an immediate solution because we want them to maintain our parks and other tourist sites,” he said.
Nick and Marilyn Sagarino, a couple who regularly visits the San Antonio children’s park, said they were very happy to see the new and improved playground.
“We usually spend our time here with our children,” they said.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was also attended by Division Of Environmental Quality Director Frank Rabauliman, IT&E vice president Larry Knecht, Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores, former Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, acting Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold I. Palacios, IT&E executive director Rose Soledad, business sales manager Absalon Waki, marketing coordinator Brad Ruszala and other staff.
