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Babauta: CNMI ready for disaster
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Posted on Aug 29 2005
The CNMI is ready to face any disaster, be it natural or otherwise, said Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday during a proclamation signing at the Multi-Purpose Center that declares September as Disaster Preparedness Month.
Babauta said that, throughout CNMI history, the islands have suffered enormous economic losses, property damage, and personal injuries from the ravages of natural and man-made disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts, volcanic eruptions, hazardous material incidents and today’s ongoing terrorist threats throughout the world. Despite this, he said the CNMI has remained resilient and has learned how to manage disasters.
Program chair Francis S. Taimanao said the proclamation is intended to promote public awareness and to help the public become better prepared for natural and man-made disasters.
He said the departments of Public Works and Public Safety, Commonwealth Ports Authority and the Saipan Mayor’s Office will be working together on this project.
Taimanao said the program is held annually to create awareness about disaster recovery and planning in the CNMI. He said they would focus more on schools and train community members for a better response when catastrophes strike the islands.
“We want to make sure the community is prepared,” he said.
The proclamation stated that the monthlong campaign would bring together the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the CNMI government with a coalition of partners, including bipartisan government officials, leaders from the American Red Cross and many others.
“The community will join with other nation’s citizens in embracing this valuable opportunity to learn of ways we can prepare for an emergency and assist others in the event of a disaster of any size and duration,” part of the proclamation reads.
Taimanao said the group has already lined up several activities in September that includes site visits and trainings among government and school officials and community members.
