TIMOTHY PANGELINAN VILLAGOMEZ

Educational Background
Mt. Carmel High School, 1980
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, San Diego State University, 1987

Professional Background
Vice Speaker of the 14th House of Representatives
Chairman, Public Utilities, Transportation & Communications Committee
President, Association of Pacific Island Legislatures, 2004
Executive director, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., 1994-2002
Deputy executive director, CUC
Construction & Design Engineer, CUC
Legislative Research Analyst and Consultant

Professional Acclamations, Awards & Associations

2000 “Government Businessman of the Year”-Saipan Chamber of Commerce

Pacific Regulator, Micronesia Telecommunications & Cable Television Operations, 1994-2002

Chairman, Pacific Power Association, 1999-2002

US National Board of Directors, American Public Power Association 2000-2002

CNMI Housing Task Force, 1999-2001

CNMI Commercial Development & Capital Improvement/Federal Projects Task Force

Chairman, Governor’s Declaration Task Force: Water State of Emergency, 1995-1999

National Association of State Facilities “Innovation Award” honoree, 1998 & 1999, for public, customer and government partnership in management of environment/natural resources

Chairman, CNMI National Rehabilitation Advisory Council

Member, American Society of Civil Engineers
Member, American General Contractors
Member, Junior Golf Association

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

The top three concerns facing the CNMI are: The economy, education, and essentials (public safety, health care, infrastructure, & federal relations). These issues are covered in the Covenant Party’s Road Map for Better Times, which also covers government Ethics and the Environment, which are also very important.

Of course, the economy is the first priority, because it is the foundation for improvements in the other areas. We need to bring in new money without drastically raising taxes, because punitive taxes would only discourage new investments. Improving the economy also means we have to balance our budget and end the fuel surcharge.

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

1. Develop a comprehensive Economic Development Plan and Strategies for Economic Diversification to entice large capital-intensive industries as well as light industries that will provide decent job opportunities for local people and help bring in new money into the CNMI.

2. Develop a comprehensive Economic Development Plan and Strategies to bring in more than one million tourists to the CNMI within the first four years as governor.

3. Develop structural plans and strategies to establish a joint venture with a reputable mining company to harvest and market pozzolan in the Northern Islands, while also ensuring the preservation of our natural environment. We need to do this in consultation and partnership with all community stakeholders, including Pagan Watch and former Pagan residents, to ensure that all views are properly considered and respected.

4. Reform CNMI labor and Investment laws to provide business opportunities for local people. This is part of my plan to create wealth for the local people.

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

Our vision for the CNMI is basically and fundamentally to help create wealth and job opportunities for the residents of the Commonwealth by reforming labor and investment laws to provide the legal infrastructure conducive to bringing in new money into the Commonwealth. These labor and investment laws are designed to help provide job opportunities for local residents as well as getting more local people actively involved in the growth and development of the private sector. To implement this plan, the government, in partnership with the private sector, shall train local residents to develop the skills needed to become productive in their respective job classifications.

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?

Vigorous training and upgrading of skills of the local workforce will be immediately provided by the government in partnership with the private sector. This will lead to more decent and attractive compensation, which will effectively motivate local workers to be more productive in their respective workplace. All of these are designed to help motivate local workers to be more productive, resulting in higher profits for the employers and higher wages for employees.