By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David A. Apatang and Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero on Sunday hosted an appreciation dinner for linemen and other crew members from the Guam Power Authority and Commonwealth Utilities Corp. in recognition of their efforts to restore power in the CNMI following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Apatang and Guerrero joined GPA General Manager John Benavente, CUC Executive Director Kevin Watson, and utility personnel at the dinner held at Garapan Central Park.
“I just want to say, ‘Thank you’ for everything that you’ve done for the people of the CNMI, especially on the island of Saipan,” Apatang said, adding that he appreciated the crews’ hard work in restoring power throughout the Commonwealth.
He also thanked Leon Guerrero for standing by the CNMI during the recovery effort.
“You have always been there with me, making sure that in times of disaster, we work together as one Marianas,” he said. “I want you guys to enjoy this dinner. This is your night.”
Leon Guerrero recalled that she and Apatang remained in communication during and after the typhoon. She said the CNMI governor was deeply concerned about the condition of the islands and their residents.
“When Governor Apatang told me, ‘Governor, my island is destroyed,’ it really broke my heart because I know how that feels,” she said.
“But we are very resilient people. We adapt, we become flexible, we get up, brush it off, and figure out how to work through it together.”
In this part of the world, in the middle of the Pacific, Leon Guerrero said, “it’s us — we rely on each other.”
Addressing GPA personnel who left their families behind to assist the CNMI, she said, “Know that Guam is very proud of you, and the people of the CNMI love you very much.”
She echoed Apatang’s remarks, saying, “We are one Marianas, and we will continue to show that we are one Marianas.”
According to Benavente, a team of 55 GPA personnel has been in the CNMI for 45 days. A second contingent of more than 40 personnel is expected to arrive around the same time the first team departs this coming weekend.
Benavente thanked both the CNMI and Guam governments for their support.
Referring to the GPA crews as the best, he said they have endured numerous typhoons over the years.
“I am always thankful for them and their families,” he said.
He praised the GPA team for its strength, dedication, and compassion for the people of Guam and the CNMI.
Benavente also thanked CUC and the CNMI government for their hospitality. He noted that community members throughout the islands had also provided support and assistance to GPA personnel during their deployment.
He likewise thanked Governors Apatang and Leon Guerrero for hosting the appreciation dinner.
For his part, Watson thanked the governors for organizing the event, saying it was greatly appreciated.
He also commended the GPA and CUC linemen and utility workers for their efforts, noting that many worked up to 16 hours a day, seven days a week, to restore power.
Watson said GPA’s assistance was critical to the recovery effort.
“With all the damage caused by the super typhoon, we couldn’t have done it by ourselves within the timeframe that the restoration has been accomplished,” he said.
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.
