MOVER: Moving to protect the environment

Also known as the Multi-Sectoral Overseas Filipino Workers Movement, MOVER has gone a long, long way in promoting environmental protection in the CNMI.

Current president Jun Lapeceros Jr. said that when MOVER started in 2001, an overwhelming 2,000-plus OFW signed up. The group’s mission since then has always been to partake in the CNMI’s pursuit to preserve and conserve the natural resources of the Commonwealth.

Veteran OFW Tito J. Villapando conceived the idea of forming a group five years ago to unite all the Filipino workers in the CNMI regardless of profession and status. He sought the cooperation of fellow Filipino workers to establish the group they called, “Pangkalahatang Samahan ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino sa Saipan.” When they finalized the group, they translated the name to English, which they now use permanently.

Lapeceros said MOVER is now recognized for its strong drive to prove that one doesn’t have to be born in the CNMI to acquire the desire for a clean and healthy environment.

He said over the years, the group began to dwindle in terms of membership count. Members began forming their own groups, resulting in such aggrupations as KAMPIL and CNMI Power but that didn’t stop the original group from continuing with their longstanding mission.

MOVER has already participated and helped in the cleanup efforts of the local government. They have helped clean up beaches and areas such as the Coral Ocean Point, the old airport, Beach Road, Kilili Beach, Sugar King Park and San Antonio Church.

MOVER has also participated in the drainage cleanup and restoration activities in the CNMI, as well as in the Tournament of Champions, Holy Week observance, Tagaman Race and American Red Cross NMI Chapter projects.

The group has maintained its stature in the CNMI in terms of environmental contribution to the islands. Lapeceros said the group was very proud when it received the 14th Legislature’s House Resolution 14-2 in 2004 recognizing the significant involvement of the group in preserving the environment in the CNMI.

In 2003, Mobil Oil Marianas awarded MOVER a grant worth $5,000 in support of the group’s environmental mission. Lapeceros said Mobil has provided them the grant for their projects for three straight years.

“It was very historical for MOVER to have received the honors with the grant,” he said.

Currently, the group is using the fund in its ongoing cleanup of the road leading to the Lake Susupe. They are now into the 7th Sunday with the project. He said the group still has two more Sundays before the project ends.

In 2004, the group was also recognized as one of the Saipan Tribune’s Persons of the Year. The Division of Environmental Quality, Tinian Municipal Council and San Antonio Church also handed plaques of recognition to the group.

Lapeceros said one of the group’s greatest achievements and a huge feather to its cap was when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 office sent them a letter in 2004 congratulating the group for being selected as one of the U.S. EPA awardees. The group was invited to personally receive the award in San Francisco, California but due to funding problem, EPA had to fly to Saipan to hand over the award. MOVER was selected among 147 groups and individuals who were nominated for the same award that time.

MOVER officers include: president Lapeceros, vice-president internal Rupert L. Magtapat, vice-president external Ric D. Talabucon, secretary Nancy C. Zamora, assistant secretary Roselia Salazar, treasurer Athena B. Tobias, assistant treasurer Leonarda R. Benito, auditor Emma Salazar, business manager Trinidad G. Arellano, public information officers Marilyn Magtapat and Myrna S. Tawatao, marshals Amado Matedios, Aurelio Tulali, and Jun Flores.

The MOVER president is inviting interested OFWs who want to join the group to call its membership committee head and secretary Nancy C. Zamora through 287-4063 or 233-6649 or email them at mover04@yahoo.com for more information.