Legislature, Saipan Chamber form working group

In an effort to address the ongoing challenges facing the CNMI, the 23rd Northern Marianas Legislature and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce have come together to establish a collaborative working group.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in fostering a unified approach to tackling issues confronting both the business community and the community at large. From the Legislature, the group consists of Sen. Corina Magofna (Ind-Saipan), House Speaker Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), floor leader Rep. Edwin Propst (D-Saipan), Rep. Vicente Aldan (Ind-Saipan), Rep. John Paul Sablan (Ind-Saipan), and Rep. Julie Ogo (Ind-Rota). Saipan Chamber leaders in this group include president Joe C. Guerrero, director Alex Sablan, vice president Joshua Wise, and executive director Kimberly Camacho.

The formation of the working group was born by a shared recognition of the need for a cohesive effort to navigate the complexities of the current economic and social landscape. The initial meeting, held at the Chamber’s office on Feb. 23, 2024, set the groundwork for what promises to be a productive partnership. At that meeting, the legislative group invited the Chamber representatives, Guerrero and Sablan, to join a meeting on March 1, 2024 with Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio to discuss regional issues. A subsequent meeting took place at the House Speaker’s office on Feb. 27, 2024 to prepare for the Guam meeting, further solidifying the group’s commitment to collaborative problem-solving.

The purpose of meeting with Guam leaders was to discuss priority regional issues affecting the Marianas region including air transportation, access to foreign labor and workforce development, immigration, healthcare, and setting up a formal structure to address these current shared priorities as well as future ones.

The working group aims to bring a comprehensive perspective to the many issues affecting our lives, drawing on the expertise and experience of the group’s members from both the legislative branch and business sector. The working group plans to meet frequently, not less than monthly, to hold parties accountable for moving things forward. Stay tuned for updates on the group’s progress and initiatives as they work tirelessly to better our community. (PR)