By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
GUAM Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero arrived on Saipan on Monday to support the CNMI government in assisting victims of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Gov. David M. Apatang and other CNMI officials greeted her upon her arrival at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. She later traveled to Tinian and Rota, where she met with Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan and Rota Mayor Audry Hocog.
Following a briefing with the governor and local agency officials on ongoing relief needs, Leon Guerrero visited local businesses. She stopped by McDonald’s Restaurant on Middle Road and spoke with owner and president Jose C. Ayuyu, who expressed gratitude for her visit.
Ayuyu said in an interview, “I am very thankful that she took the time to visit us here in the CNMI, knowing that our islands have experienced one of the most powerful and destructive typhoons ever.”
He said the Guam governor came to see firsthand the aftermath of the super typhoon.
In his conversation with the Guam governor, Ayuyu said she mentioned reaching out to Governor Apatang and relevant federal officials “to do as much as they can to help the CNMI.”
He added that she also noted Guam was affected by the super typhoon but not as severely as the CNMI, “so she will be lending help to us.”
“I thank her very much for her concern and assistance. She knows I am a close friend of her late father, the founder of Bank of Guam, with whom I worked closely during my banking days,” Ayuyu said.
Before departing for Saipan on Monday, Leon Guerrero noted that Guam was nearly back to normal, allowing her to travel to Saipan to meet with Apatang and the mayors of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to discuss “what we can do to help support recovery efforts.”
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.
