GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang along with other CNMI officials joined Honest Profit International in celebrating the Chinese Year of the Snake at the construction site of the future Saipan Marriott Resort & Spa in San Antonio.
In attendance with the governor and the lt. governor were Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul, Department of Labor Secretary Leila Fleming Staffler, House Vice Speaker Diego Vincent F. Camacho and Rep. Roman C. Benavente.
The governor recalled that 12 years ago, he witnessed the ceremonial filling of construction materials at the site. He was a senator back then, he said.
“But today … it is really starting to take shape and we want to thank you for your persistence … and your resilience in facing all the different obstacles that came your way,” the governor said.
He said he never thought he would see the project take shape as a hotel.
“This is not a small project, it’s huge. And I know the challenges mostly are … [due to a lack of] skilled labor. But you’re persistent and we look forward … to the day when we open the door of this nice hotel in the southern part of our island. … Congratulations and Happy New Year to you!” the governor said.
For his part, Apatang noted a lot of improvements at the site.
“Finally, it’s coming up as a beautiful hotel — we are very happy to see a Marriott in my neighborhood,” he said.
Honest Profit International Chair Zimin Chen and President CJ Huang, who were both in Hong Kong, greeted Palacios and Apatang via Zoom.
Hosting the CNMI officials at the construction site were former Sen. Sixto Igisomar as the master of ceremonies, WinWin Way Construction Director Jim HS Kan and contract coordinator Ponce Rasa.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, center, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, right, join WinWin Way Construction Director Jim HS Kan in the ceremonial blessing of food.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios delivers his congratulatory remarks during the Chinese New Year celebration at the construction site of the future Marriot Resort & Spa in San Antonio.
