Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said it would take them at least a week to return to Saipan had they traveled to Rota because all returning flights were fully booked.
He said the problem with the flight service between Rota and Saipan must be addressed to increase the volume of tourists visiting the island as well as the need of residents to travel conveniently between the islands.
“We need to do something to make trips to Rota more convenient. We have to increase the flights and allow people to move back and forth. Every time there’s a major event such as a fiesta or the funeral for Dr. Inos, for example, there are so many people who want to participate but there is no way to go back here [immediately]. This is a serious inconvenience,” the senator told the Variety.
He said Rota’s remote location also puts at a disadvantage its residents’ purchasing power.
Rota residents who receive food stamps, for example, get lesser value for their welfare benefits compared to those on Saipan or Guam because the prices of commodities on Rota are higher.
“It’s about 50 percent higher than what we pay here. There are so many factors involved. The most common complaint is the food stamp. Everyone is getting the same rate of food stamp but the [purchasing] power of food stamp recipients in Saipan is higher,” said Reyes.
He said Rota residents have no choice but to spend their food stamps on their island because traveling to Guam and Saipan would cost them more and they could only take a certain volume of goods on the plane.
“If they come here, they would pay for the freight and the plane,” he said. “For example I know that sending four cases of chicken on Rota would cost you double.”
A regular ferry service between the islands could probably alleviate the problem of islanders, said Reyes.
“I am in full support of it, absolutely,” said Reyes. “I feel sorry for the people of Rota and Tinian. The people of Saipan are also suffering but I think some are hurting more [because of their location and lack of public transportation].”
