Teno off to D.C. for economic meeting
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio is expected to create a niche when he meets with federal officials and fellow governors in a conference in Washington D.C. from Feb. 25-29, 2000 where economic issues faced by American outlying areas are expected to be discussed.
Mr. Tenorio is leaving today for Washington D.C. with his legal counsel and finance adviser Mike Sablan.
The National Governors Association Winter Meeting will coincide with the “historic” economic discussion between the chief executives of the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands and White House officials.
President Clinton has formed an inter-agency working group on outlying areas which will embark on major economic initiatives aimed at bringing the quality of life, such as per capita income and employment, in the islands at par with the national average.
Mr. Tenorio is also expected to discuss issues surrounding the Commonwealth’s plan to pullout of the Pacific Basin Development Council with his colleagues from Guam and the American Samoa.
CNMI’s plan to withdraw from the Council will leave Guam and the American Samoa as its only remaining members among three American flag territories and one state in the Pacific.
The State of Hawaii pulled out of PBDC last year. PBDC is a regional organization which used to bind four US flag territories in the Pacific — Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the CNMI.
At present, PBDC is believed to be in deep financial need since a significant amount from membership fees remain uncollected.
The CNMI had been very reluctant in re-joining the PBDC despite continuous invitation from the leadership of the PBDC since the Commonwealth bailed out of the regional organization.
CNMI withdrew from the PBDC during the administration of former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio, who also quit the National Governors Association. The CNMI has not rejoined the Council since then.
CNMI had been a member of PBDC since the organization was established in 1980. It was established, initially, to foster regional economic and social development.
During his 10-day trip to the American capital, Mr. Tenorio is expected to talk of the Commonwealth’s efforts to make the Northern Marianas economy less-dependent on the U.S. Treasury with majority of its revenues having been generated locally.
