Medical help sought for Northern Islands residents By MARIAN A. MARAYA

Northern Islands Mayor Joseph Ogumoro has requested the assistance of Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez to extend medical services and health care to residents of the remote islands.

A group of 15 individuals including the mayor are set to conduct a quarterly visit to the Northern Islands this October accompanied by a medical doctor and Commonwealth Health Center staff, according to Mr. Ogumoro.

“I have talked with the health secretary and relayed to him the need for a doctor to do medical check ups for the residents out there,” said the mayor.

Mr. Ogumoro has even proposed that the local government consider training several Northern Islanders on effective emergency responses.

“This would save the government money in having to charter trips to get health experts down to the islands,” he added.

The group will be touring the Northern Islands for a day or two aboard two ships of boat owner Mariano Falig.

Mr. Ogumoro said the group would also welcome the company of people interested to invest and develop the islands.

The Northern Islands Mayor’s Office this month launched a web site which officials hope would open opportunities for several of small islands that have long been shut off from the rapid development in the three main islands of Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.

The mayor has described the recent technological endeavor as an “electronic voyage” for the Northern Islands with information accessible to anyone with an Internet-ready computer and a phone line.

The online page features photos, compilation of scientific studies and facts about the islands, fish and wildlife issues, ecotourism, and other data.

According to the mayor, the islands of Anatahan, Sariguan, Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrigan can provide the economic expansion for the Commonwealth. He cited potential development projects that can be built such as resorts, hot spring, mining and fisheries.

Meanwhile, talks are also ongoing between the Public School System and the Mayor’s office on the proposed Anatahan school projected to cater to elementary up to high school students.

Plans to expedite the construction of the proposed school on Anatahan are facing delay due to the absence of transport services that would carry construction materials to the island.

The school system has expressed concern over the lack of adequate transport vehicle which would haul concrete and other supplies to the construction site, citing this as one major factor slowing down the project.

PSS is set to build a one-story structure to accommodate some 20 students residing on Anatahan.

PSS Administrative Officer Yvonne Atalig said the building will be large enough to hold two classrooms through a middle section divider.

The facility will also have room for a support building for the administration office and cafeteria.