Fr. Ryan Jimenez, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, said the church was very grateful to the servicemembers and the volunteers.
Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores, who joined the cleanup with his 13 staffers, said there’s a need for a consistent cooperation in keeping the cemetery clean.
“Our job will never be done if people will keep on throwing their trash indiscriminately,” the mayor said.
People continue to dump their garbage in the area despite the notice against littering and the anti-littering law.
Cemetery committee chairman Ed Tenorio said to help address the recurring problem of illegal dumping, “we are looking for more volunteers.”
The committee, he added, is planning to install more trash bins at the cemetery.
Lt. Tae Kim, one of the sailors with the USS Cowpens, said the cleanup is part of their community development program.
Some of the sailors, he added, have been joining cleanup activities every time they visit Saipan.
It was his first time to be on island though, he said.
The USS Cowpens, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, arrived on Thursday and leaves today.
The cleanup was coordinated by Janice Tenorio of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the Neighborhood Watch Task Force.
Tenorio said the cleanup drew lots of support from community members, including lawmakers and their staffers.
Among those who coordinated the event were Raymond Tenorio, Doris Nuique, Rose Magofna, Rosa Sablan, James Sablan.
The staffers of Saipan Reps. Ralph Demapan, Frank Dela Cruz, Edmund Villagomez, Antonio Sablan joined the cleanup.
Max Aguon and Felipe Fejera, who have been cleaning up the cemetery as volunteers, said everyone’s help is needed to maintain the cleanliness of the area.
The cleanup sponsors included Marianas Insurance, Juan S. Tenorio, the Saipan mayor’s office, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Vicente N. Santos, Jesus Q. Deleon Guerrero, Fr. Jesus Reyes, and the Department of Public Works.
