Editorials

This may surprise some people, but the CNMI government has never stopped talking about economic diversification for nearly 50 years.

In the case of the House bills that triggered the current legislative hullabaloo, did the House conduct public hearings before acting on the measures? Were CUC, CPUC, or other experts consulted or given the opportunity to provide comments? If not, why not?

We are good at identifying glaring problems and coming up with sensible solutions. But the follow-through leaves much to be desired.

Everyone on Capital Hill is “for education.” Yet they passed a budget that forced PSS to reduce the number of its school days. Elected officials are also “for public health,” but they have consistently underfunded the medical referral program.

A curious thing to hear: an elected official condemning CUC’s management while praising its rank and file for their “good work.” Who does he think oversees them and sets the direction needed to ensure efficient operations?

“From 2002 through 2022, the CNMI’s real GDP (adjusted for inflation) contracted by $644 million (44 percent)….

ABOUT a year ago, the last thing one would expect the administration to acknowledge was the worsening state of the local economy. (Remember? “The State of the Commonwealth is getting better.”)

How is the implementation going for the 2025 Marianas Economic Roadmap and the 2020 Fiscal Response Summit recommendations?

WHILE we stew in our frustration and disappointment over the government’s “slow” or “inadequate” response to Sinlaku’s devastation, as well as the perceived “lack of preparedness,” it may help ease our irritation if we recall the aftermath of two other super typhoons that beat the living daylights …

Many of us are understandably irritated, upset, or impatient with the recovery process. But that, too, shows the sheer force of the disaster we have just survived. We must keep our composure. We must help one another.