TOBY DELA CRUZ ALDAN

PERSONAL

Born: February 10, 1947, Saipan

Wife: Clotilde Kaipat Aldan

Children: Jerome K. and Melissa C. Aldan (4 children), Jennifer K. Aldan & Dennis L. Norita (1), Jolene K. Aldan and Gus F. Castro (1), Tobias K. Aldan and Merced Litulumar (1), Rockson A. Hocket & Joyvette T. Camacho (1), Jocelyn K. Aldan and Kevin T. Kapileo, Scott Castro

Background: My parents, brothers, and sisters were all residents of Pagan before the eruption of Mt. Pagan in 1981. My father and mother were residents of Pagan since before the war. My residency in Pagan began in 1949 until the eruption. Despite the closure of Pagan, I frequently travel there to see my home island.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Before the eruption, I received intensive training on Saipan as a power plant technician and was responsible for the total operation of the power plant and management of the facility until the tragic day in 1981. The eruption forced the people of Pagan to relocate to Saipan, leaving practically everything they own behind.

Editor’s Note: Mr. Aldan did not provide specific answers relating to our questions of what he considers the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI and any ideas he may have to revive the economy, choosing instead to focus on his vision and plans for the Northern Islands.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth and the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

For 23 long and painful years, the former residents of Pagan have been patiently waiting and praying for a clear declaration for their return to their beautiful home island. I strongly believe that the time has come for me to become a servant for the people of the Northern Islands to bring much needed developments to the islands and to encourage the former residents and their families and other interested individuals to come to the islands and become productive and responsible residents of these islands.

– To encourage former resident and their families and other to reside in the Northern Islands with the objective to meet the constitutional mandate to become the 4th election district (4th Senatorial District) of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This provision allows the people of the Northern Islands to elect three senators and one representative to the legislature if the population of the islands reached 1000.

– To install modern technological equipment on all the islands to monitor volcanic activities. Qualified island residents will be trained to monitor and maintain this equipment and to alert officials and the people of any threat.

– To purchase a field trip vessel to provide the people regular inter-island trips and to Saipan. This will encourage people migrating to the islands directly creating business opportunities and establishing excellent central and municipal government relationships.

– To build a safe landing facility for helicopters on each island for emergency and tourism purposes.

– To improve the harbor of Pagan for smaller shipping vessels as well as the loading/unloading facilities on Alamagan (Katkaderu), Sarigan, and Agrihan.

– To construct a typhoon-proof multi-purpose building: two classrooms, dispensary, radio room, library, bathrooms, storage room, and an outdoor generator’s room.

– To provide each island modern communication system to establish good communications to Saipan and between the islands. The mayor will select residents to be trained to operate and maintain this equipment.

– To establish good relationships with all the government departments and agencies on Saipan to become partners for progress.

– To immediately address the land issue of the residents of the Northern Islands with MPLA. Each family residing in the Northern Islands should be entitled to a house lot and a small agricultural land for farming. Land issues for the former residents will be addressed also.

– The mayor will take an active role in the protection and conservation of all protected and threatened species in the islands. If the islands are to become a model eco-tourism paradise, residents and guests must become partners in this challenge.

– To establish a mayor’s representative in each island to ensure that the people are provided services and assistance they rightfully deserved.

– The office of the mayor will work closely with the administration that the Legislature to ensure that the people of the Northern Islands are provided equal treatment under the laws of the Commonwealth.

– To ensure that all federal and local assistance programs are made available to the people of the Northern Islands and in coordination with the mayor’s office.

– The mayor will initiate legislation granting his office the authority to designate protected areas and designation of species for hunting season. Provided that these species are not listed as endangered.

– The office of the mayor will recommend to the governor that qualified residents should be appointed to serve as members of the CNMI governing boards.

– To secure funding to construct a concrete residential-office building for mayor of Pagan. This facility should be utilized to house dignitaries from other islands.

– Residents referred to Saipan for medical reasons will be housed in a facility similar to the guesthouse for residents from Tinian and Rota in Navy Hill.

– The mayor will arrange with the Bishop to have a priest on every fieldtrip to visit the Northern Islands to conduct religious services to the people.

– Funding for the construction of a large rainwater catchments facility for each house will be made available.

– The mayor will establish a Conservation Ranger unit to be responsible in the protection and enhancement of all protected areas. This is a critical need in becoming an eco-tourism paradise in the Marianas.

– The mayor will strongly voice his opposition to any movement or activities about the Northern Islands without his involvement. The mayor is the rightful voice for the people.

– The mayor will work with the Emergency Management Office to design an emergency evacuation plan for the islands. This evacuation plan must identify areas of the islands that are safe for the residents to seek for temporarily shelter until help arrives. This plan must include for volcanic eruptions, mudslides, forest fires, tsunamis and typhoons.

– The mayor will closely work with the governor and the legislature to identify ways to secure additional funding for the development of the Northern Islands. Potential funds might include fees for fishing and hunting in the islands, tour packages, diving activities, mining activities, filmmaking (movies and documentary film), volcanic eruption watching fees, etc.

– To request assistance from the DLNR Division of Agriculture to develop a nursery of variety of fruit trees to be planted in each island. The vision is to make the Northern Islands the fruit islands of the Pacific.

– Students, whose parents are residents of the Northern Islands and need to attend public schools on Saipan due to the lack of such facilities, will receive stipends to ensure that these students are sincerely encouraged to complete their education.

– The mayor will provide scholarship opportunities for postsecondary institutional for Northern Island students whose program studies are critical in the development of the islands.

– To make Pagan as a cattle island of the Marianas. Pagan residents will be encouraged to raise cattle. Funding and other assistance will be made available for islanders interested in cattle grazing.

– Pagan was once famous for its huge pineapples and the mayor will request assistance from NMC to import seedlings to be distributed to the islanders.

– Every two years in May, the mayor will sponsor a sailboat competition from Saipan to Pagan with lucrative prizes. The purpose of this competition is to promote the islands to the world and encourage economic development.

– To request assistance from DEQ, Army Corp, and DPW to construct landfill area in Pagan, Alamagan, and Agrihan for the people to properly dispose their waste materials.

– To purchase three generators for the islands of Pagan, Alamagan, and Agrihan. The generators should be capable of generating power to the residents. Island residents will be trained at CUC for the total operation and maintenance of these generators. The mayor will make funding available to purchase fuel for these generators.

– The mayor will lobby strongly to the federal and the local governments to identify funding to reconstruct the old airport in Pagan. The completion of the airport will signify the beginning of the economic development of the islands.

– Once the airport is completed, the mayor will conduct variety of events in Pagan to attract tourists and guests. Events such as cliff fishing derby, surfing contest, goat hunting contest, swimming competitions, and others. Pagan offers hot springs for all the good health reasons.

– The mayor will encourage former residents of Anatahan to reside on Pagan, Alamagan, or Agrihan. These residents were relocated to Saipan due to the eruption of Mt. Anatahan.

– The mayor will keep the residents informed through newsletters and meetings. Another method will be through teleconferences.