By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
A REFALUWASCH culture advocate in the CNMI is seeking transparency in ongoing consultations pursuant to Section 902 of the Covenant.
In his letter to House Committee on Commerce Chairman Rep. Thomas John Manglona, former Rep. Melvin L.O. Faisao, who currently serves as senior advisor of the URAALI Refaluwasch Association, said the CNMI government’s request to exempt the Commonwealth from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s flight cap order “carries significant implications not only for our tourism sector, but also for employment, small businesses, and overall economic stability — particularly for communities such as the NMD-Refaluwasch constituency that remain closely tied to tourism-driven economic activity.”
Faisao is asking the lawmaker to advocate for transparency and coordination across relevant agencies, which he said remain essential.
Faisao reached out to Manglona in reaction to the Commonwealth Ports Authority board’s recent decision to withdraw its application for exemption from the USDOT order so that its chair, Bart Jackson, and CPA Executive Director Esther Ada can participate in the Section 902 talks.
He wants guidance from Manglona “given the significance of this action to the Commonwealth’s tourism recovery and broader economic outlook.”
Faisao is also curious about the role of the Commonwealth Economic Investment Authority in these efforts, saying CEIA must be involved and provide assurances that air service access issues between China and the CNMI will be addressed in Section 902 negotiations.
In the absence of Annex VI of the U.S.-China bilateral agreement, which exempts the CNMI from flight frequency limitations between the U.S. and China, Faisao said the CNMI must have “alternative strategies” to support tourism recovery and restore visitor arrivals.
CEIA, he believes, must also exercise its statutory responsibilities to review or discuss the economic implications of CPA’s withdrawal of the USDOT exemption application.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
