Department of Public Works Secretary Martin Sablan, a civil engineer who retired from the U.S. military, said he is deeply affected by what happened to America’s most important Asian ally which has strong political and economic ties with the Northern Marianas.
“We feel very sorry for the Japanese people. We really sympathize with them,” said Sablan. “But I believe that the Japanese people would make their country better.”
When disaster struck Japan, then acting-Gov. Eloy Inos immediately mobilized key cabinet officials, which included Sablan.
Sablan said all the heavy equipment of DPW was immediately relocated to Capital Hill and other elevated areas.
The CNMI was included on the list of Pacific countries or islands that warned about a tsunami generated by the powerful quake that hit northern Japan last week.
Sablan said because of small size of Saipan, the devastation would be severe if huge tsunami waves hit the island.
“We are very lucky it didn’t happen because we’re out here in the Pacific and we could have been in the worst scenario,” he said.
Other residents feel the same way and expressed hope that Japan will be spared from new calamities.
“My heart goes out to the Japanese people. I was shocked seeing the footage on TV. But I believe that Japanese are resilient and will rise above these challenges,” said a resident who only gave his name as Johnnie.
