“WE are not just working as different political entities, we are working as a region,” Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said, referring to the CNMI and Guam as Typhoon Mawar approached the islands on Wednesday.
In an interview with KKMP radio host Gary Sword on Wednesday morning, the governor said: “We know it’s going to impact the Mariana island chain, as the trajectory changed, we learned that Typhoon Mawar was going to impact Guam and Rota more. In that event, the municipalities of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota will work collaboratively. If the island of Rota is going to be impacted the most, every municipality will help and lend some help to our brothers and sisters in Rota.”
“Everybody is really cooperative, we are all working as a team,” the governor added.
Palacios said the CNMI will also extend assistance to Guam.
“After Soudelor, Mangkhut and Yutu, they did not hesitate, they were there for us,” he said, referring to Guam. “We will be there for them too,” he added.
“I have spoken with Guam Gov. Lou Deleon Guerrero. We are communicating, and we offered our help, she did the same…. We have been working not just as different political entities but as a region.”
For his part, CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Special Assistant Franklin Babauta said, “We started early, it gave us the opportunity to identify what we needed to prepare, and how we were going to proceed. Now we are in the planning stage phase of recovery post-storm.”
Babauta added, “First step is to really keep the community informed. We are also closely monitoring Guam. We are very concerned with Rota…. We are in constant communication with the Rota Mayor’s Office…and as soon as the typhoon passes, we will assess what are their needs…,” Babauta said.
“Stay home, stay safe,” Palacios added.
“Rest assured that we are doing everything we can…. We are trying our best to address the issue, HSEM is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Defense to make sure we mobilize resources for Rota, whether it’s water, food items, equipment for the hospital, shelters, and or equipment for debris removable immediately after the typhoon.”
The governor also expressed his appreciation to federal agencies and President Joe Biden for approving the CNMI’s request for a pre-landfall emergency landfall declaration.
“That certainly is a big help in addressing the preparations for the typhoon, and the post-recovery stage,” Palacios said.
Arnold I. Palacios
