Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos signed the proclamations for these advocacies on Friday.
Inos commended the leaders of the groups supporting these causes.
It is remarkable, he noted, that these groups are continuing their programs despite the government’s dwindling financial resources.
Led by Director Frank Rabauliman, the Division of Environmental Quality joined Inos in proclaiming April as Environmental Awareness Month with the theme, “Invest in the Real Green…Our Environment.”
According to the proclamation, “Each of us must do their part daily to protect, reserve, and conserve these vital and essential natural resources.”
Child abuse
Inos also designated April as Child Abuse And Neglect Prevention Month.
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Melvin Faisao, in his remarks, said this year’s commemoration “highlights the desire to embrace our past successes, learn from our challenges and realize our dream of eliminating child abuse and neglect.”
Inos said administration has concurred the appointment of 11 members of the department’s Community Service Block Grant Advisory Council to address child abuse and neglect issues.
They are Rep. Ralph S. Demapan, Jeffrey Olopai, Tom Glen Quitugua, Pedro Sablan Jr., Carmen Tanaka, Angelica Mangarero, Audrey Dutro, Trinidad Rabauliman, Maribel Loste, Debra Inos and Elizabeth Rechebei.
Underage drinking
Inos assured the advocates against underage drinking that the administration is considering stiffer fines for those caught selling alcohol to minors.
He, however, wants to know how the enforcement of the current law is doing now.
Thomas J. Camacho, an advocate of the enforcement of underage drinking laws, noted that the CNMI’s program has received 2010 National Success Story Awards.
The CNMI, he said, continues to acknowledge concerns regarding juvenile delinquency and underage drinking-related problems and places high priority in their prevention.
According to the proclamation, 2010 data showed that consumption of alcohol by minors remained one of the most frequent offenses committed by juveniles in the CNMI.
Early childhood
With the theme, “Week of the Young Child,” the Head Start’s Family-Community Partnership joined Inos in proclaiming April as Early Childhood Month.
But Inos also wants to know “where are we now?” in terms of achieving goals.
Jolene G. Torres, Family-Community Partnership manager, said there are 462 children enrolled with Head Start and a majority of them are from Saipan. She said they want to accommodate more children but it will require more funding.
Early Childhood Month is a time to recognize the importance of early learning and early literacy, and to celebrate the teachers, caregivers, and policymakers that bring early childhood education to young children, the proclamation stated.
Sexual violence
With the theme, “Its time…to get involved,” the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Department of Public Safety’s domestic violence section joined Inos in proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Kiki S. Igitol, awareness month chairwoman, said their goal is to encourage everyone to learn about sexual violence, how to help prevent it, and how to help sexual violence survivors recover.
She said 77 percent of rapes and sexual violence incidents in the CNMI are committed by someone known to the victim.
Shame, fear and stigma are the reasons 60 to 80 percent of victims don’t report sexual assaults, she added.
Neda B. Camacho, coalition chairwoman, said: “We want to change social norms. So let us be part of change for safer relationships and a safer community.”
Education is the first step to prevention, she added.
