GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios on Thursday named former NMI Museum Director Mary Margaret K. Sablan as the new secretary of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
Her appointment requires the approval of the Senate.
When Sablan was its director, the museum was a division of DCCA. Today, the NMI Museum of History and Culture is an agency overseen by a nine-member board of governors whose members are appointed by the governor.
In their joint appointment letter, the governor and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang said they are confident that Sablan is qualified and “will be an asset to the CNMI.”
“Your willingness to serve our people is most appreciated,” they added.
In their joint letter to Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, the governor and lt. governor said thy are confident that Sablan is qualified to fulfill the vital responsibilities of DCCA.
Sablan is the governor’s latest cabinet appointee. The other cabinet appointees requiring Senate consent are Tracy B. Norita, Finance secretary; former Sen. Ray N. Yumul, Public Works secretary; former Rep. Leila Staffler, Labor secretary; Sylvan O. Igisomar, Lands and Natural Resources secretary; Joseph Rios Jr., Commerce secretary; and Anthony Torres, Corrections commissioner.
Corrections
The term of former Marianas Public Land Trust board member Pete Q. Cruz would have expired on Jan. 9, 2028 and not Jan. 9, 2024 as earlier reported. Cruz, along with former trustees Maria Frica Pangelinan and Martin Ada, resigned on Jan. 27, 2023 in response to the governor’s memorandum asking government board members and commissioners to submit their courtesy resignations.
Also, newly elected Rota Mayor Aubrey Hocog was a member of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board representing the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority and not the MPLT board.
Arnold Palacios
