Dubbed as “The Pride in Our Island Village,” the initiative is aimed at “developing local capacity at the village to enable residents to partake in the preservation and promotion of their unique historic assets,” council chairman Ramon B. Camacho said.
The program, he added, also promotes environmental stewardship and will enhance the physical and cultural characteristics of the villages.
This should be done in partnership with other government agencies, non-government groups and the business community, Camacho said.
He is asking Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to provide assistance by issuing a directive to all executive departments, autonomous agencies and other government instrumentalities to participate in the program.
Camacho said the program will be conducted twice every month on Fridays throughout the year.
“It would be prudent to also issue an invitation to non-government organizations and businesses to join in this island-building effort,” Camacho told the governor in a letter.
The goal of “The Pride in Our Island Village” is to make the initiative self-sustaining with villagers working hand in hand with government agencies, community groups and businesses in the villages, he added.
He said the council wants to implement this project as part of the ongoing neighborhood revitalization and enhancement program.
“While the focus is on the health, security and safety aspects of the villages, the outcome is to build and nurture a vibrant community for trade and commerce, providing local employment opportunities and other economic growth around the neighborhood,” he said.
Camacho asked the governor if the council can attend a cabinet meeting so it can discuss the initiative and its implementation strategy for Saipan.
