SAIPAN Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Guerrero has urged the local business community to work closely with the administration of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, and U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan to address CNMI workforce issues.
In his remarks during the chamber’s gala on Saturday night, Guerrero said there is a need to pursue specific changes to U.S. immigration law that affect the CNMI’s access to necessary foreign labor.
These include the following amendments:
—Enabling the CNMI government, instead of the U.S. Department of Labor, to issue temporary labor certification for CNMI-Only Transitional Worker or CW visa applications.
—Amending the CW touchback provision requirements to meet the CNMI’s unique circumstances.
Guerrero, who was re-elected as chamber president, said, “We need to accept the fact that we still do not have sufficient workforce to support the return of the pre-Covid 19 level economy.”
Equally important, Guerrero said, the business community must continue to work with and support the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, Northern Marianas College and the CNMI Department of Labor with all the programs and plans to build a local workforce.
Guerrero, who is the co-owner of Transcends LLC (Naked Fish Bar & Grill, Hafa Adai Realty, and Transcends Consulting), also encouraged everyone to take care of the Commonwealth’s beautiful environment.
“Why would we want visitors to come to our island with a promise of paradise only for them to see…buildings and facilities in such disrepair, and trash in the beaches and parks and in our villages?” he asked.
Guerrero said it is projected that the CNMI’s main and only industry, tourism, will not reach pre-Covid-19 level until 2024 or later.
One of the biggest complaints from visitors for many years, he added, was that they weren’t able to see, hear or feel local cultures.
Guerrero urged everyone to continue to support the promotion of Chamorro and Carolinian cultures, and the Hafa Adai and Tirow spirits.
“The chamber truly looks forward to diligently work with Governor Palacios and Lt. Governor Apatang, the 23rd Legislature, Congressman Kilili, Saipan Mayor Ramon ‘RB’ Camacho and all stakeholders to push through the challenges and be able to identify what can be promising times ahead,” Guerrero said.
New board installed
Guerrero said he was humbled to again serve as chamber president for another year.
Also installed as members of the chamber board of directors for 2023 were PHI Pharmacy’s Dr. Joshua Wise, vice president; IT&E’s Janice Tenorio, treasurer; First Friends Marketing’s Donna Krum, secretary; Tan Holdings’ Alex Sablan, director; IT&E’s Velma Palacios, director; Docomo Pacific’s Nicole Babauta, director; Angil Design Inc.’s Ron Smith, director; and Bank of Saipan’s John Z. Arroyo, director. They were sworn in by Judge Kenneth Govendo.
Hope
Guerrero said for many, 2022 was a year of hope. The CNMI, he added, hoped that perhaps, it would finally come into a new normalcy with the severity of Covid-19 “behind us.”
Visitors were returning, the Crowne Plaza opened its doors, Marianas Airways took flight, and the business and leisure travels among the CNMI people increased “to an extent that our hopes seemed to be evolving into reality,” he said.
“Thanks to all the determination of everyone in this room,” he added.
He said the Commonwealth now has a new administration, new mayors and a new Legislature, which brings a fresh wave of anticipation and hope that the progress and success of 2022 will continue.
However, he added, as a community, especially the chamber, “we cannot be just bystanders” while the government implements actions and policies that affect businesses in the CNMI.
Saipan Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Guerrero delivers his opening remarks as master and mistress of ceremonies Brad Ruzsala and Marcia Calvo look on during the chamber’s annual gala at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan’s Hibiscus Hall on Saturday night.
Judge Kenneth Govendo, left, swears in the 2023 Saipan Chamber of Commerce board members: Joe Guerrero, president; Dr. Joshua Wise, vice president; Janice Tenorio, treasurer; Donna Krum, secretary; Alex Sablan, director; Velma Palacios, director; Nicole Babauta, director; and Ron Smith, director.
