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Disaster stalls drainage cleanup project
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Posted on Aug 29 2004
The onslaught of supertyphoon Chaba has stalled the project of the Environmental Interagency Cleanup Operation Team and affiliate volunteer groups to clean up stormwater drainages and beach sites in northern Saipan, but they vowed to expedite work in the next four Sundays.
Besides the threat of Chaba two Sundays ago, EICOT chairman Benny Pangelinan said the scheduled cleanup work yesterday in Tanapag had to be cancelled due to earlier forecast that a brewing storm would hit the Northern Marianas again. The storm, however, weakened, although Saturday’s forecasts predicted rainy weather on Saipan yesterday.
Pangelinan said he already informed the leaders of the participating NGOs to prepare for expedited work beginning Sunday, calling on more volunteers.
He said the leaders of MOVER, POWER, KAMPIL and Bicol Association—all non-profit Filipino groups—vowed to deploy as many volunteers as they can when cleanup work resumes this coming Sunday.
“The [volunteer group] members are aware,” Pangelinan said. “EICOT and the NGOs have commitment to the grantor, Exxon Mobil, to work on the project.”
Mobil provided the groups with a $5,000-grant to implement the project. EICOT and the NGOs, spearheaded by MOVER, carried out the cleanup of over 20 stormwater drainages from San Antonio to Garapan in a similar project earlier this year.
With the call for expedited work, over a hundred volunteers are expected to carry their shovels and trash bags in Tanapag next Sunday. The cleanup project entails the cleanup of drainages and beach sites from Lower Base to San Roque.
So far, EICOT and the NGOs have devoted three Sundays for the project. Pangelinan expects the project to be completed after four more Sundays, as they prepare to help restore the Sugar King Park for the upcoming Japanese Festival on Saipan in October.
EICOT and volunteer groups receive food and logistical support from Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, CNMI congressmen, and private groups such as CTSI Logistics Inc. and the Hotel Association of the Northern Marianas.
Pangelinan said the project has caught the attention of many local residents, who also contribute food and words of encouragement for the volunteers. (John Ravelo)
