Gov't urged to take steps to curb crime
Tinian — In a swift response to Japan’s labeling of Saipan and Rota as unsafe destinations for its travelers, the Senate on Friday called on the Tenorio administration to take immediate steps to curb crime incidents on the islands.
It also urged Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to carry out image-building efforts in that country, which is the largest source of tourists to the CNMI, in order to counter negative publicity there.
Senators adopted a resolution during a session held at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino that formally tasked the administration to address the concerns raised by the Japanese government.
Offered by Sen. Jose M. Dela Cruz, SR 12-20 is the first official action from the Legislature in response to the travel advisory posted by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its website for its citizens going on a trip to the CNMI.
The advisory cautions Japanese against traveling to the islands due to rampant crimes of robbery, murder, drug use and smuggling on the islands, particularly Saipan and Rota.
While Mr. Tenorio has met with some of his Cabinet as well as tourism officials and business representatives to deal with the impact of such depiction to the local visitors’ industry, Mr. Dela Cruz said these actions are not enough.
“I believe the government is doing a fine job, but obviously we need to do more,” he said in an interview after the session. “There’s no question about that.”
The resolution, he said, urges the governor to work and to do more on the safety of tourists and residents alike in the entire Commonwealth.
“Tourism is one of the most important sources of revenues here. No matter what kind of infrastructure improvement we do, if we don’t fix this problem of negative publicity, then we’ll never get anywhere,” added the Tinian senator.
Senators acknowledged in the resolution he need for immediate actions to stem rising criminality and to reverse the negative image of the CNMI in Japan as unsafe tourists’ destination.
“[N]umerous unsolved crimes are on the rise and threatening the safety of more local residents and visitors alike, which situation has a damaging effect on the comfort level of people living in the CNMI, as well as the negative impact upon the perception travelers have of the CNMI,” read the resolution.
“The utmost importance is to make sure that the image of the CNMI is at its best and safety is the number one,” added its author.
