By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
WITH help from the federal government, the steadfastness of CNMI government personnel, and the commitment of volunteers, the business sector, and community organizations, “we will survive,” Gov. David M. Apatang said Monday as he and Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds accompanied federal officials to schools devastated by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
After seeing damage left behind at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, the governor, the delegate, and officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs proceeded to Paupau Beach to visit the reverse osmosis system set up by the Department of War to help provide potable water for the community.
They later visited Kagman to inspect schools, surrounding villages, and farms.
In an interview, Apatang noted that the CNMI had already endured two super typhoons before Sinlaku. He said federal response following those storms was immediate, similar to Super Typhoons Soudelor and Yutu, when FEMA personnel arrived two days after the storms.
“We really appreciate the FEMA response and all the help that we are getting from the outside, and even from Guam,” he said, recalling that Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero called him the day after the storm to ask what assistance the CNMI would need.
Apatang said Delegate King-Hinds has actively worked in Washington, D.C., to secure federal assistance, and credited her with helping ensure President Donald Trump signed the major disaster declaration in response to his request.
Overall, he said, with federal partners including the Department of the Interior, volunteer organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse, the Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross, as well as members of the community, “we will survive.”
The governor also dismissed social media suggestions that Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, 46, should take over Apatang’s duties, saying the claim that he is “already old” is false.
“That is false. Don’t believe what they say. I’m still young. I’m still active,” said the governor, who will be 78 in July.
“I’ve been through two super typhoons, Soudelor and Yutu, as Saipan mayor, and now as governor, I’m still here. If I can survive three years in Vietnam, I can survive anything,” said the former U.S. Army first sergeant.
King-Hinds said she was not prepared for the extent of the devastation to the environment and infrastructure.
“To see the landscape completely devastated and the facilities damaged was incredibly heartbreaking,” she said.
She said she will take the information gathered back to Washington, D.C., to advocate for recovery funding for the CNMI.
For his part, DOI Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular, International, and Ocean Affairs William Hague said immediate priorities include restoring critical utilities and clearing debris, but emphasized the importance of long-term resilience through federal grants.
Hague said Apatang has been “very responsive, very helpful, and a great partner” during the emergency response.
OIA Deputy Assistant Secretary Angel Demapan agreed, saying the governor has been a strong partner throughout the process.
“We are very fortunate to have a partner in the CNMI government who makes coordination so effective,” he said. “We hope to build upon this partnership and find solutions for everyone.”
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.
