THE Senate on Tuesday adopted Senate Joint Resolution 23-7, “respectfully requesting” Gov. Arnold I. Palacios to advocate for the increased security of the tourism industry while promoting economic recovery through the CNMI Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program.
All eight senators present voted to adopt the joint resolution, which was authored by Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider. Sen. Paul A. Manglona was excused.
The creation of EVS-TAP is among the recommendations presented by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the Hotel Association of NMI during recent meetings with the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The business groups said EVS-TAP is a sub-program of the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program that will balance visitor ease with enhanced security provisions and transparency. It would allow visa-free travel of Chinese nationals to the CNMI, but under additional restrictions.
Prior the pandemic, China was the CNMI’s second largest tourism market after South Korea.
Before the senators voted on his resolution, Hofschneider commended Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero for holding a meeting with the officials and members of the chamber of commerce and HANMI.
Hofschneider said the business community is asking lawmakers to “continue working together,” so that the tourism industry and the local economy can finally recover,
He said the creation of the EVS-TAP is one component of that effort. “This is something that is critical at this juncture, and I ask members for their support,” Hofschneider said.
S.J.R. 23-7 states that the CNMI, “desires to be self-sufficient and generate enough government revenues to maintain and sustain its government and communities. At the same time, the CNMI unequivocally supports the United States in the national and global interests. However, national interests should include the economic viability of the CNMI as a member of the American political family, and the unique and complex conditions in which the CNMI has to contend with in order to stimulate and recover economic activity.”
Arnold I. Palacios
