By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
FORMER Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said his administration’s first major priority, if elected in November, would be to stabilize the CNMI’s power system through the construction of a new power plant on Saipan and expanded renewable energy projects throughout the islands.
Torres, the Republican gubernatorial candidate running with former Kagman High School principal Benjamin Jones Jr., said reliable utilities are critical to lowering costs, attracting airlines and restoring economic growth.
In an interview Saturday, Torres said the CNMI must take a “holistic approach” to recovery, beginning with energy security. He said the Commonwealth needs a new power plant on Saipan, along with investments in alternative energy sources such as solar power with battery storage, hydrogen storage and wind energy.
“We need a new power plant along with alternative energy,” he said. “I would like to see a pilot project for Rota and Tinian so the community there can get off the grid.”
Torres criticized the current administration for not purchasing a generator that he said was funded with nearly $8 million during his term.
“I haven’t seen that generator being purchased,” he said. “I don’t know where that money went. This is exactly why we did that — to help alleviate high utility costs.”
He said that once the CNMI addresses its power challenges, the Torres-Jones team would leverage its network to bring in new airlines and routes. Torres said discussions are ongoing with carriers in Australia, Vietnam and Japan.
“One of the markets we’re working on is Australia,” he said, adding that improved infrastructure would help attract new carriers and restore tourism volume.
Torres also said the CNMI must protect its visa waiver program and strengthen relationships with federal officials, noting that Republican alignment at the federal level would give the Commonwealth “a seat at the table.”
“When you have a Republican governor, a Republican delegate, and a Republican president, they will listen to you,” he said. He added that he has longstanding ties with federal officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, whom he served with through the Western Governors’ Conference.
Asked about his leadership style, Torres said elected officials must remain composed even under pressure.
“You have to understand that your answer is for the betterment of the community,” he said. “You’ve got to be polite, diplomatic, and address the issues. Calling out names and being derogatory — I’ve never done that.”
Torres said disaster preparedness and recovery would also be central to his administration, citing his experience working with FEMA and regional partners in Micronesia. He said rapid post-typhoon assessments and immediate coordination with federal agencies are essential to recovery efforts.
“Even today, I still don’t have power, yet we’re still out there giving relief to the community,” he said. “I know what it feels like to have the hardship. Every little help goes a long way.”
On workforce development and economic diversification, Torres said the CNMI must demonstrate that it has the labor capacity needed to support new industries while continuing to work with the U.S. government on immigration issues. He said companies exploring opportunities in shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals and other sectors have raised questions about workforce availability.
He said he supports maximizing local hiring but cautioned against imposing rigid quotas that employers may be unable to meet.
“As much as I would like to make that demand, I also understand that if companies are required to present a workforce they cannot get, it’s going to be difficult,” he said. “But I definitely would encourage supporting our locals — everybody born and raised here.”
Torres said his campaign with Jones is focused on restoring economic stability, strengthening federal relationships and ensuring the CNMI is better prepared for future disasters.
The other candidates for governor are Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao, who is running with Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, and former Education Commissioner Lawrence F. Camacho, whose running mate is former Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero. Both tickets are running as independents. The NMI Democratic Party has yet to announce its gubernatorial slate.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
