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Governor reviews costs on PR drive
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Posted on Mar 08 1999
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has said he will review proposals seeking a cosharing of the cost of tapping the services of a public relations company to defend the Northern Marianas against growing media criticisms overseas.
Lack of funds has tied the hands of the administration to retain prestigious law firm Preston Gates Rouvellas & Meads as it lobbyist in Washington.
The Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce as well as some key members of the Legislature have separately called on the government to hire a PR company in order to help refurbish the image of the Commonwealth tarnished by negative publicities.
Concerned on the damaging effects of media firestorm on the island economy, business leaders say they are willing to pitch in money to finance a badly needed public relations campaign for CNMI.
Recently CNMI has been drawn anew into controversy with the filing of a $1 billion class suit against local garment manufacturers and their US buyers because of alleged labor abuses against foreign workers, mostly Asians. One article published in a newspaper in the mainland portrayed the Commonwealth as an “island of slaves”.
The image problem of the islands is further exacerbated by new plans of Washington to take over local immigration and minimum wage because of the inability of CNMI officials to address labor problems, control immigration and raise minimum wage to federal standards.
Private sector representatives are seeking an audience with the governor to discuss possible partnership in financing a media campaign to promote the positive image of the Northern Marianas.
The administration has stopped tapping the services of Preston Gates as its lobbyist in Washington due to funding problem.
