DIVISION of Environmental Quality Director John I. Castro expressed disappointment over the business sector’s lack of participation in a milestone environmental event held last week.
Castro, the Rotary Club of Saipan’s guest speaker yesterday, said the CNMI’s first environmental symposium held on April 15 and 16 was still a “success.”
“We were somewhat disheartened by the lack of attendance by the local business community,” Castro said.
In an interview after the meeting, Castro said businesses “have always been complaining about the government’s permitting process, beautification and cleanliness projects, but they failed to show up in the symposium where they could have learned more about these matters.”
He added, “I hope next time, there will be more participation from the business sector.”
DEQ is doing its best to help protect the environment, particularly in cleaning up the Garapan tourist district, Castro said.
Over 150 public and private school students joined Gov. Juan N. Babauta, lawmakers and other members of the community in the symposium and exhibit held at Saipan Diamond Hotel.
“Since the targeted audience was the CNMI youth, the general public, the business community and the Legislature, the Division of Environmental Quality considers that its goal has been met,” Castro said.
DEQ, however, said the two-day event was “too short.”
Castro lauded the cooperation and presentation of various government agencies in the DEQ-sponsored event, including the Coastal Resources Management, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Public Works and Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Program.
