Palacios, Education chief inaugurates modern PSS alarm, safety systems
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho unveiled the computerized multimillion-dollar fire alarm, bell, and intercom systems for the entire Public School System last Oct. 4 at Kagman Elementary School.
The Office of the Governor funded this leading-edge fire alarm, bell, and intercom system—which is estimated to cost over $4 million—with its portion of the federal grant. PSS co-shared a portion of this through the American Rescue Plan Act grant.
At the official ribbon-cutting last Friday afternoon, all 20 public elementary, middle, and high school campuses on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota had their upgraded alarm systems officially unveiled, as well. The Office of the Governor-PSS partnership began two years ago in planning and putting together an effective and accessible school communications system that makes the learning and working environment safer and smarter.
G4S Security (Guam) Inc. was awarded the implementation of the computerized system.
Palacios and Camacho was also joined by Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), the Governor’s Capital Improvement Projects administrator Elizabeth S. Balajadia, GF4 Security (Guam) Inc. general manager Teresa Sakasaki, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” B. Camacho, acting associate commissioner for Administrative Service Yvonne R. Pangelinan, PSS Facilities Development and Management director Edward Mendiola, and Kagman Elementary School principal Dr. Ignacia Demapan at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Witnessing the event were close to 500 public elementary students, their classroom teachers, staff and public education stakeholders.
The investment was characterized by Palacios as part of his administration’s “continuous support of our children’s learning, and one critical aspect is their protection and safety.”
For this new fiscal 2025, Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang recommended allocating more funds for PSS.
“The launch of our PSS-wide digital system, which includes an intercom, fire alarm and protection, and alarm system, is being celebrated simultaneously by all of our schools across the Commonwealth. Education chief Camacho stated, “This is a celebration of partnership between your Public School System and our CNMI government, through the Office of the Governor.”
According to the Education chief, “all of our 20 schools have already been commissioned and our Department of Fire and Emergency Management Services said we are ‘good to go’.” He also said that this opens the door for coordinated alarm communication with the relevant government departments and agencies.
He added: “This is just one great example of our partnership with the central government and our federal partners. Now more than ever, we are meeting one of our strategic priorities, which is to ensure safe and caring schools.”
This multimillion-dollar investment ensures fast, cutting-edge, and reliable alarm communication technologies that safeguards students, employees, and property/infrastructure in all public schools.
The upgraded safety and security systems in all 20 public schools are digitally designed to also enhance monitoring of potential visitors and address the need to protect students from trespassers.
Mendiola expressed his appreciation to the Office of the Governor, PSS Federal Programs Office, Capital Improvement Project, DFEMS, all 20 schools, and the contractor for the successful implementation of a fast, modern and reliable alarm communication technology in the school district.
The school district already had the PSS alarm system upgrades planned as part of its long-term infrastructure development and investment plan. The plan was ultimately made a reality with the support of the Office of the Governor.
Three years ago, the Office of the Governor reached out to PSS, through the Office of the Commissioner of Education, to work together in modernizing the district’s fire alarm, bell and intercom systems across all three islands. (PR)
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art alarm systems of all 20 public schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota last Friday at Kagman Elementary School was led by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan), and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan).
-PSS
Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and Gov. Arnold I. Palacios are briefed about the new computerized alarm, bell and security system at Kagman Elementary School, which are implemented throughout all public schools in the CNMI.
-PSS
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho both witnessed how the modern computerized alarm and security system works.
-PSS
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho pose for a photo with PSS-FDM director Edward Mendiola, Kagman Elementary School principal Ignacia Demapan. and the G4S Security (Guam) Inc. team.
-PSS
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, and Public School System Federal Programs officer Jacqueline P. Che. The school district, through FPO, shared a portion of the $4-million investment of the CNMI government.
-PSS
Kagman Elementary School students celebrate with Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.
-PSS
