By ERWIN ENCINARES
\nerwin_encinares@saipantribune.com
\nREPORTER<\/p>\n
Like Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), Rep. Joseph \u201cLee Pan\u201d Guerrero (R-Saipan) worries about the possible termination of the parole authority and its repercussions on the growth of the CNMI economy.<\/p>\n
Guerrero told Saipan Tribune on Wednesday that he fears for the CNMI economy if the Trump administration decides to end the Marianas parole authority.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s alarming that our delegate in Washington, D.C. came up strongly with that [statement],\u201d he said, referring to Sablan saying that he is on alert to the possibility of the CNMI losing its parole authority.<\/p>\n
Guerrero chairs the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the Trump administration is sincere with terminating the parole, then how can we as the CNMI sustain our economy here?\u201d asked Guerrero.<\/p>\n
The tourism industry, which is the CNMI\u2019s main driving force, relies on about 550,000 visitors from South Korea, China, and Japan. <\/p>\n
With the Marianas losing direct access to Japan due to Delta Air Lines\u2019 suspension of Narita-Saipan flights, the CNMI will lean heavily on South Korea and China for its tourists. <\/p>\n
South Korea is included in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program while China relies on the Marianas parole authority\u2013a program that allows Russian and Chinese tourists to enter the CNMI for a number of days. Both Chinese and South Korean tourists comprise over 40 percent of the total number of CNMI visitors.<\/p>\n
The Marianas parole authority could be terminated via presidential executive order, which is Sablan\u2019s and Guerrero\u2019s fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe might not receive the same number [of tourists] as we see now with the parole authority [for China],\u201d said Guerrero. <\/p>\n
Chinese tourists may still enter the CNMI without the Marianas parole authority, but they will have to first secure a U.S. visa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we need to do is find the issue that is confronting the Trump administration. Are they comparing [the CNMI] to stateside? [The CNMI] is not even in the same capacity in terms of population and land size; we are a small island out here in the Pacific Ocean,\u201d said Guerrero, adding that the local government is trying its best to rectify any issues.<\/p>\n
Sablan earlier assured that he would use his congressional authorities and powers to reinstate a system that fixes problems we know exist while maintaining our unique access to Chinese tourists\u2014access that has been so critical to our economic recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, in a statement Monday, said the continuation of the Marianas parole authority is \u201cin the best interest of the Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Torres warns the White House and U.S. Congress to be cautious of the policy rhetoric used and that working together, \u201cwe could get a lot done\u2026to strengthen the economic viability of the CNMI for the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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