The challenge of interisland travel in the region is among the issues the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures hopes to address, according to Rep. Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan).<\/p>\n
Blanco, who was chosen to be the group\u2019s secretary at an APIL meeting in Guam last month, highlighted this difficulty that faces not just the CNMI but the entire region. <\/p>\n
\u201cTransportation remains a huge challenge. Airlift is a challenge for travel between the islands,\u201d Blanco, a second-term member of the CNMI House of Representatives from Precinct 3, told Saipan Tribune. \u201cMovement of cargo, fuel, etc. are cost-prohibitive for the fragile economies of each of the island governments in the region. The costs take a significant bit of our annual budgets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most of the island governments of APIL members rely mostly on imported goods and other merchandise.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why APIL is so glad that some shipping companies are coming up with innovative means to improve their services, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cContinued investments in new shipping technologies keeps evolving, and I am pleased that several of our shipping companies do invest in such to lower fuel costs, carry more cargo, and cut shipping delays,\u201d said Blanco.<\/p>\n
Blanco is serving as the 59th secretary of APIL with Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero (R-Saipan), his colleague at the CNMI House of Representatives, selected to be one of the group\u2019s board of directors.<\/p>\n
Former CNMI House speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero was first selected to the same position as secretary during the APIL meeting in Palau last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cAPIL officers and members decided to keep the CNMI serving as secretary for the 59th APIL. As you recall, former speaker Guerrero was selected as secretary during the 58th APIL in Palau,\u201d said Blanco.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe body unanimously endorsed the CNMI to continue the capacity as an officer and secretary. I will just continue the term of former speaker [Deleon Guerrero] as APIL secretary,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thank House Speaker [Blas Jonathan T.] Attao (R-Saipan), my colleagues at the Legislature, and APIL members for endorsing me to serve at the 59th APIL as secretary,\u201d Blanco added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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