By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
OBSERVERS from the federal government are watching us.
This was revealed by Gov. David M. Apatang on Thursday when he was asked to comment on the difficulties victims of Super Typhoon Sinlaku have been experiencing in applying for the Disaster Nutrition Assistance Program at the NAP office in As Lito.
In an interview, the governor said the long queue of applicants is expected since everybody in the CNMI was affected by the super typhoon.
He recalled that during a conference prior to the distribution of disaster assistance, CNMI NAP and federal officials agreed on procedures. They also discussed what to expect once the distribution began, as well as what applicants should bring with them.
“It’s the federal government’s policy that is being followed, not ours,” he said. “That is not our policy; we are following the U.S. government’s policy.”
He advised all applicants to bring the required documents and complete their applications correctly.
“We have an observer here watching us from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So make sure that things are done properly. When you go there and you don’t have the documents, you are going to be turned away,” the governor said.
He stressed that “as much as we want to rush people through,” procedures must be followed.
“Fill out the application correctly, and if everything is okay, I think the next day you can pick up your card at the multi-purpose center,” the governor said.
Jun Galang, one of the applicants, said he and his neighbors arrived at the NAP office at 2 a.m. When they got there, a long queue had already formed. He said he was given a number to be called when the office opened at 8 a.m.
Community assistance
The difficult situation faced by D-NAP applicants since Day 1 prompted some community leaders to step in.
Among them were House Floor Leader Marissa Flores, members of the Legislative Bureau, members of the 670 Project Buddy Check, the Lina’la Initiative, Miss NMD Foundation’s Rowina Ogo, and the Democratic Party of the NMI led by Annie Picklesimer.
Flores said it was brought to their attention that there is great demand for disaster assistance since everybody was affected by Super Typhoon Sinlaku. “No family or person was not affected by the storm,” she said.
She noted that D-NAP has a specific function and purpose. With thousands of applicants swarming the NAP office, Flores said she and other community leaders volunteered to help, at least by ensuring people were not lining up under the heat of the sun. Volunteers helped organize seating arrangements under the canopies so everyone could sit in the shade while waiting.
“We are here, we have legislative staff, we are here to help as many people as we can to facilitate and make sure everyone gets the help they deserve,” Flores said.
Picklesimer, who along with some party mates was distributing bottled water, said the turnout was “just awesome.”
“We want to help people. Whether you are Democrat, Republican or Independent, we are all here for the same reason. We try to get something to help our families after Super Typhoon Sinlaku,” she said.
Noting that everybody needs help, she said, “We do whatever we can to help. It’s not political; it’s about helping one another. We love doing this. The little group that we have, we are going to make it.”
Ogo, for her part, said that on behalf of the Lina’la Initiative and Miss NMD Foundation, which she founded, they responded to NAP’s call for volunteers. She said the NAP office reached out to non-profit organizations asking if they were willing to help, “and we are here.”
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.
