FRANCISCO SANTOS DELA CRUZ

Personal Background

Spouse: Lisa Aquiningoc Manglona Dela Cruz
Children: Divana, Dana, Damien, and Deveney

Educational Background

Elementary: Chalan Kanoa Elementary School
High School: Marianas High School, 1980 Graduate
College: University of Hawaii Hilo, NMC
Graduated?: No

Professional Background

Current job: Proprietor
Company/agency: Dela Cruz Development and PC Hunters

Previous jobs & companies:

Verizon (GTE Pacifica; Micronesian Telecommunications Corp.), Pacific Data Systems
1982-1987: MTC: Network Switching Technician.
1987-1991: Pacific Data Systems: POS (point of Sale) technician
1991-2000: GTE Pacifica: Supervisor, Network Switching (NetOps)

Civic Involvement

Had been an active member of Garapan Elementary School Parent Student Teacher Association. Assisted in numerous fundraising activities for the school. Have assisted in the funding of uniforms for the Brownie and Girl Scouts of Garapan Elementary.

Q. What would you consider the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI that demand immediate action from our government leaders?

1) Tourist industry decline
2) Poor reading, writing, and math skills of CNMI students.
3) Minimum wage must go up

Q. What ideas can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

a. A new pro-business leadership is needed for local businesses and outside investors to have faith in.

b. A stable business climate is needed to ensure confidence.

c. The local government must not be unfair to businessmen and businesswomen in its dealings with businesses.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth? And what are the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

A. My vision for the Commonwealth is to see our fragile economy develop and grow; to see our children’s reading, writing, and math skills improve so that they can be gainfully employed and be productive citizens; to have a clean and safe environment for residents and visitors; and where people treat each other with respect and without any “double-talk” or political pressure.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking and doing things as a means to help you achieve your vision? How can that shift in thinking be achieved?

A. Local attitudes must change. People must realize that the CNMI cannot develop and progress unless we realize that our lives do not depend on political favors or partisan consideration. We must transcend partisan politics, and be fair and objective. A shift in people’s way of thinking can take place only by education and by treating each other with fairness and respect.