In an interview yesterday Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said he did not know anything about it yet.
“But it is so bad to hear about that,” he added.
According to the people close to Rota Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola, the owner of the 600-acre tourist-oriented establishment with an 18-hole golf course was “demanding” a lot of things from the central and local governments.
Mendiola was the only mayor not present during yesterday’s Liberation Day parade.
Some Rota residents who were on Saipan for the festivities said: “How can our mayor be celebrating here while our island is having serious problems right now?”
The residents, some of whom are the mayor’s relatives, declined to be identified. They said 40 locals will be out of job once the Rota resort shuts down.
In a telephone interview, one of the employees who also requested anonymity said there are 59 nonresident workers who will be jobless.
They plan to leave the island once their umbrella permits expire in November.
But the employee said they are confused about the owner’s plan because management is still hiring a Korean-Japanese-speaking employee.
“Why would they hire a Korean-Japanese-speaking employee if they are shutting down?” the employee asked expressing hope that the owner who is now on Guam will change his mind.
Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, said the Rota mayor told them about the owner’s plan to shut down the resort.
“I hope the Rota Resort will consider their decision. At least just cut down the operation in half perhaps,” he added.
