By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Monday signed Senate Local Bill 24-2 into law, renaming Beach Road in honor of his predecessor, the late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios.
The stretch of Beach Road from Chalan Piao to the Bank of Guam intersection in Garapan is Route 30, while the portion extending to Micro Beach is Route 33.
Authored by Sen. Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro, Senate Local Bill 24-2 — now Saipan Local Law 24-16 — combines Route 30 and Route 33 and renames them the Gov. Arnold I. Palacios Memorial Highway.
Palacios, who served as chair of the CNMI Highway Task Force when he was lieutenant governor during the administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, led the groundbreaking ceremony with then-Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang in February 2023. The new road was completed earlier this year.
According to the bill, Governor Palacios “distinguishably and tirelessly served the government and people of the CNMI for over 30 years as a public servant in many capacities, but most notably as governor, lieutenant governor, Senate president, and House speaker.”
Palacios passed away on July 23, 2025, at Guam Regional Medical City, where he had been airlifted for medical treatment after collapsing at his Capital Hill office. He was 69.
