SOUND BITES

The Saipan Tribune conducted a mini-survey on people’s reactions to yesterday’s State of the Commonwealth Address by Gov. Bengino R. Fitial. Some of them said they didn’t have the time to watch it. Most of those interviewed expressed dissatisfaction with how the government is doing to solve the economic crisis but asked that their names not be made public. The rest said the government is doing everything it can to ease people’s burden. Only five of the respondents allowed their names to be published. Here’s what they had to say:

“I didn’t really know what the Governor’s speech was about because I didn’t watch it. I’m not for him but I like the way he handles the current crisis. At least he’s trying to do something about it.”
[B]—Jeff Bacani[/B] [I]Senior student, MHS[/I]

“I don’t mind as along as they are trying make the CNMI better for us all.”
[B]—Sabina Camacho[/B] [I]Staff, Hafa Adai Hotel[/I]

“I believe the government is doing its best to solve the problem. It’s been really hard for us but you cannot solve these problems in just one night. It will take a long time. This is just my personal view as a CNMI citizen.”
[B]—AJ Palacios[/B] [I]Baseball scorer/announcer[/I]

“The economic crisis is global. The closure of the garment industry has affected us. This started with the WTO [World Trade Organization]. The economy took a nosedive. Now with the minimum wage gone up, we can expect some closures in businesses. Saipan does not have to offer other than low wages. With new immigration policies and visa requirements, many guest workers expected to leave their jobs and we don’t have enough skilled workers to fill in those jobs. But the most important issue is the right to self-government that was promised to us. On the issue of lack of personnel at the hospital, they will have to increase the rate of the salaries of doctors.”
[B]—Patricia R.[/B]

“I didn’t watch the Governor’s speech. I’m not a voter but I just want to tell them that they should do what government officials are supposed to do. They should do what needs to be done for the benefit of the people of Saipan. They must work hard for the betterment of all and our future. It’s been a long time that we have these problems of unemployment. They must find solutions to this problem.
[B]—Roman Agulto[/B] [I]Chalan Kanoa, Saipan[/I]