Our commonwealth leaders are not focusing their attention adequately on the problems the business community is facing. Our leaders are busy attracting outside investors and have failed to adequately give enough attention to the ones that are doing business at the present time.
For the last 22 years or more, the water problem in the Garapan area has never been adequately given attention. Majority of the people doing business here are not adequately provided with sufficient, quality and clean water at all for the last 22 years! It looks to me that our leaders need more time to fix the water problem.
At the present time more things are added up to the water problem. The government is now requiring some businesses to test their water wells. Testing used to be done at every quarter of the year. Now it is moved up to every month of the year. Besides the testing, business organizations are also required to have a representative from their organization be certified by DEQ in conducting such test. Failure to comply with the new law or regulation means paying a fine, facing imprisonment or a combination of both penalties.
The sad news is that the government has to be paid fees at the expense of the business organization. The business organization is already paying taxes, such as BGRT, excise, IRS, and room taxes. Therefore, all fees for testing water samples must stop and the government should be the one to conduct the test and pay for the fees. We are taxpayers and we deserve good water supply 24 hours a day. Businesses have to concentrate on marketing strategies and not worry about tests results of water samples. This is the main job of businesses, not collecting water samples!
We are in a capitalist not communist society. The government should leave the free enterprise system alone. Help businesses and not punish them.
The government must provide a sufficient amount of quality, clean, and healthy water supply to the businesses and the people leaving in the Garapan area. Twenty-two years is a long time to wait and more than enough time for our leaders to fix the water problem.
Seven governors later and the water situation in Garapan still remains as is! I have seen that in other areas on Saipan, the water supply has improved. Why is Garapan’s water problem hard to fix? Is it because there are fewer voters here? The government always complain about lack of money and cannot take care of the golden goose that lays the golden eggs. The Garapan nesting area produces the most revenue in the CNMI and requires immediate attention. We need to protect the golden eggs.
With the federal stimulus plan now in place, I hope that once and for all the water situation improves for the benefit of the Garapan people, the businesses, and the tourists alike. To all my leaders, Garapan needs your help!
THOMAS AQUINO
CABRERA CAMACHO
Chalan Piao, Saipan
