The Saipan Beacon Lions and Mayor RB Camacho pose for a photo at ceremony that formalized the civic organization’s “adoption” of the Chinatown basketball court on Monday.
THE Saipan Beacon Lions formalized their “adoption” of the Chinatown basketball court near the intersection of Matsue Street and Judge Way at a small partnership ceremony with the Saipan Mayor’s Office on Monday, March 4.
The civic organization is now a member of the Saipan mayor’s adopt-a-place program.
Saipan Beacon Lions Club President Yoh Villavicencio said under the coordination of member Anni Belle Lopena, they will take care and maintain the basketball court and surrounding areas.
In addition, they will repaint the court and repair the chain link fence, Villavicencio added.
She said they will also try to raise funds to support the court’s regular upkeep.
“The endgame is to try for a federal grant to make it a covered court so we can offer not just basketball, but tennis, a Zumba class, and all those indoor activities,” Saipan Beacon Lions Club Charter President Marcelo Masilungan said.
Reaching out
In recent months, Mayor Camacho has been actively reaching out to community groups and urging them to be “proactive.”
He said the adopt-a-place program, in particular, is “empowering” and can help improve the community.
“It’s us, the community that is the solution to community problems,” the mayor said. “My objective is, I want to establish a connection. When you plug in an extension cord, what’s the result? You get power. If you connect to your outlet, you get power. Us human beings, once we’re connected, we have the power to promote a safe community, a safe village, and a clean island.”
Camacho said the basketball courts in Gualo Rai and at the Civic Center have also been “adopted.” Next on the list is the Carolinian Utt basketball court in Garapan, he added.
Camacho told the Lions that he is also interested in establishing sister-city relationships with cities in the Philippines.
The mayor said he is likewise seeking a partner to assist with the upkeep of the manamko’ center’s tennis court.
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho speaks to the Beacon Lions at the Chinatown basketball court on Monday.
