By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang, Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita, and other CNMI officials on Wednesday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the future Department of Finance building, to be known as the Economic Resiliency Center.
Located on Isa Drive — just a block south of the current Finance office and a block north of the Office of the Governor on Capital Hill —the ERC will bring all Finance divisions and bureaus under one roof, including the office of the secretary, creating a one-stop shop for community members, said Finance project manager Eleuterio Palacios, who also served as emcee for the 9 a.m. event.
Funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the $14 million ERC, which Palacios hopes to complete by August next year, will improve accessibility, “enhance efficiency, and strengthen the foundation of our local economy,” he said.
Governor Apatang said he was pleased that many of the EDA-funded projects he and the late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios had discussed in monthly cabinet meetings have now been completed.
“I know that is what the late Governor Palacios would want — for the digging and hammering to start without any more delay. I’m sure this center will serve its intended purpose. It will offer a safe working environment for the hardworking employees who will call it their office, and I am very sure that the public will be well served by it,” Apatang said.
Norita expressed her gratitude to the governor and the administration for their steadfast support. “Without the governor’s leadership and belief in this vision, we would not be standing here today,” she said. She also thanked the USEDA for funding the project and for its dedication to ensuring the CNMI remains compliant and on track.
The secretary additionally acknowledged the Marianas Public Land trustees for supporting the line of credit that facilitated the grant funding for all EDA projects. She said that without this critical funding mechanism, the ERC project would not be possible.
Norita also recognized the Finance team behind all the planning, including project managers James Kintol and June Palacios, Department of Public Works’ Crystal Cabrera, and Office of Planning and Development’s Elizabeth Balajadia, P.E. “Thank you all for the hard work and true collaboration to bring us to the construction phase and for sharing this vision of a more resilient future,” she said.
She likewise thanked the contractor, Hong Ye Construction, “for joining us on this mission. We trust in your expertise to bring this vision into physical reality.”
Norita acknowledged the patience and resilience of every Finance employee, who has long awaited a safe and modern facility, where the roof is secure and electrical hazards are mitigated. “Thank you for your patience and trust that we can get this done. By bringing our vital services under one roof, we can provide better and faster services to our people,” she said.
Also present at the event were Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul, OPD Engineer Mariano Iglesias, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Juan A. Pua, and Department of Interior-Office of Insular Affairs field representative Harry Blanco.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
