Anti-takeover bid needs gov’t backing

Hailing a move by the business community to lead the fight against federal takeover of CNMI labor and immigration, Senate Floor leader Pete P. Reyes yesterday prodded the government to assist the private sector in “whatever way it can.”

He said that since businesses provide revenues to the government, it’s part of the responsibility by public officials to ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are used for the benefit of the entire community.

“The government should help in the efforts by the business community to protect their interests,” the senator explained in an interview. “We need to work together.”

Called the Western Pacific Economic Council, the alliance groups the largest business organizations on the island, including the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association and the CNMI Contractors Association.

The non-profit organization aims to stave off attempts by Washington to strip commonwealth control over its immigration and minimum wage standards, citing its impact on the businesses on the island.

They will also hire a lobbyist or a public relations firm to represent their interests, including the need to maintain the economic viability of the CNMI amid the worst crisis to hit the Northern Marianas in over 50 years.

Although several lawmakers had underscored the need for a lobbying firm, the island government could not afford their services in view of the serious cash-flow problems besetting the CNMI.

“The reality is we just don’t have the money, but I am glad that someone has to come up and pitch in the funds to protect the CNMI interests,” Reyes pointed out.

According to HANMI President Ron D. Sablan, who has been elected president of WPEC, the group would try to bridge the differences between the CNMI and Washington, whose bilateral ties have soured in recent years due to alleged failure by island officials to address the growing number of foreign workers here.

The private sector has previously voiced out their concerns over persistent federal takeover move and the impact of several negative publicity and criticisms leveled against the CNMI to the image of the island as a tourist destination and investment site.