Today signifies the beginning of a new era, with the CNMI officially installing Gov. Arnold Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang. To mark this occasion, Saipan Tribune asked people at random what they hope and expect of the incoming Palacios-Apatang administration.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy expectation for this new administration is utmost transparency, especially with remaining and incoming funds. I hope that this new administration will update the people on certain aspects of the government and listen and take the community\u2019s suggestions for change to heart. I also hope for fairness in terms of employment opportunities within the government and for a much-needed raise in the CNMI\u2019s minimum wage. In this new administration, I also hope that small local business owners are provided aid through fair and honest funding programs. Finally, I hope that in this administration, we finally see a change in how food stamps are disbursed, with coupons to debit cards to reduce the traffic and waiting time. \u201cI am hoping that the Palacios-Apatang administration will put a large amount of resources toward fixing our crumbling infrastructures as this will create jobs and the money these workers make will, in turn, stimulate the economy. I hope that this administration will pay off government debts and raise the minimum wage to $10 – $12 an hour. I also hope that the new administration will provide assistance to people threatened by the two catastrophic typhoons (Typhoon Yutu and Typhoon Soudelor) and the COVID-19 pandemic as many lost their homes, jobs, and food security. In addition, I expect the new administration to find ways to assist those who continue to live in poverty as a result of these unexpected events. Lastly, I expect the Palacios-Apatang administration to tackle and prioritize our hospital and to find solutions to improve our health care system. \u201cI hope the new administration will finally carry out all the work that the former administration promised to fulfill like the promised renovations and expansion of our local hospital, an increase in minimum wage, and the promise to take care of the people. \u201cI really just hope that this administration keeps true to its promise of change. The previous administration promised so much, later to find out that the community became a pawn to fulfill the greedy self-interest of those in high standing within the government. I know there is no perfect government, [but] I just hope that this administration does better for the sake of the Commonwealth. \u201cI expect this government to just be honest. So much was kept from the people and so much is still being kept from people to date. I expect his government will stick to their agreement with the Democratic Party and really be transparent. Many issues have come to light during the transition period, and I hope those are addressed. But, most importantly, I hope for a fair and honest government under this new administration. \u201cHonestly I just hope that this new administration finds a way to rebuild the CNMI from the rubble the previous administration left it in. I hope for a higher minimum wage because in this economy, you can\u2019t live off a $7.25-per-hour [wage]. The community has been put through so much these past years, been stolen from without our knowledge, and used to make the rich richer. I pray that this administration will be the complete opposite of that. \u201cI am looking forward to a peaceful and civil transition of power. With the new administration and those elected to serve in our 23rd Legislature, I expect to see the promises made during the campaign kept and fulfilled, specifically building trust. What I should see are our leaders setting good examples of progress through unity. What I hope to see is more awareness and education in the field of mental and behavioral health, frequently discussed, and made more of a priority. Congratulations again, to all those elected and I look forward to serving with you all!\u201d \u201cI believe the expectations I have for this new administration are the same as everyone else and I believe they are somewhat high, and that also there really is a change. I think this new administration owes it to the people of the CNMI to fulfill the promises they said they will keep. These last couple of years have been a roller-coaster of emotions and a big thought I have is that some of the parks and playgrounds are better maintained and fixed [than others]. As a single parent, going to the playground across MHS used to be a lot of fun for my kids but now it’s boarded up with pallets. I know it’s only the beginning so I’m hoping for the best for now. I know things don’t happen overnight so, hopefully there is a change.\u201d \u201cI expect the new administration to do their absolute best and work for the best interest of the people in the CNMI. It\u2019s very hard to lead here because it\u2019s such a small island. You will always be the topic of discussion and be on the firing line. Some will never be satisfied and it comes with the job. I trust the honorable Gov. Palacios and the honorable Lt. Gov. Apatang will do the best for the people of the CNMI as all their predecessors did before them. I wish them and their administration the best and pray for their success to take care of us.\u201d \u201cThe one thing that I\u2019d like is a good foundation for education. I\u2019m not sure how they\u2019d do it but just supporting the kids in the schools and giving nice benefits to teachers.\u201d \u201cI think we can expect big changes and equal service for locals and foreign nationals, and I hope they do what they said they would on their platform during the elections. More equal benefit distribution, especially with federal funds. So hopefully, it will happen in their administration. Good luck to our new governor and lieutenant governor.\u201d \u201cWe expect more jobs to be opened up for people who really need it and will work to better help our society. Involving the community in sharing their ideas\/suggestions on how to shape the new government is also a good step in making the people\u2019s voice heard, validated, and involved without feeling lost.\u201d \u201cI hope there will be more jobs, more opportunities, a wage increase, and there will be more help for CW-1 workers.\u201d \u201cI expect them to do as what they’ve ran their whole campaign on: \u2018Rebuilding Trust.\u2019 He has said many times that they will be transparent with the people. I just expect them to do as what they have promised. Bettering the CNMI.\u201d \u201cI expect them to give more opportunities to qualified workers, not just based on education, or even hiring based on political views, but on experience and skills. To improve the island, like fixing the roads, remodeling and improving our tourist sites, and hopefully bring in more investors that will actually help the island, all the while being transparent about it.\u201d \u201cI expect a change in the hiring process with \u2018equal opportunity\u2019 for everyone, better tourist sites for a better tourism (to better our economy). To improve the Department of Public Safety (properly equip department and officers), better improve our hospital (with equipment and doctors so we won’t need to go on medical referral and can be treated here). I would also expect that we, as the public, would be made aware of how deep the CNMI is in debt at the moment, and how they’re going to fix it.\u201d \u201cI am hopeful for the new administration, and I will definitely give them the benefit of the doubt. Not a lot of people are used to or comfortable with change, and I think, with this new leadership, it\u2019ll give us the opportunity to see new ideas our island haven\u2019t seen in a while. I can\u2019t wait to see what the future holds for our community.\u201d \u201cEntering a new year in the CNMI with a new administration may have some people on the edge of their seats, either hoping for promises to be fulfilled or expecting it to be broken. …I for one haven\u2019t been too interested in politics, although I like many others have an opinion on the matter. My thoughts on this incoming administration doesn\u2019t have to do with the administration alone but it includes the community as well. We are hoping for a trustworthy and transparent government, and along with exercising our right to elect a candidate we believe will do that as well as represent the CNMI. In order to have a transparent and trustworthy government we must, in a sense, be just as much involved in addressing certain issues appropriately. Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing.\u201d \u201cI hope the new administration will be more open and transparent to the people, so we can be confident in the decisions they may or may not make. I hope they provide and equip our front-liners and first responders with necessary and more advanced resources to help our community and overall public safety, like a better healthcare system, as well as taking the necessary steps needed to decrease crime rates.\u201d \u201cFor this upcoming administration, I\u2019m hoping to see honesty and openness amidst their transactions. I\u2019ll be praying for this administration to be wise in every decision throughout their term.\u201d Today signifies the beginning of a new era, with the CNMI officially installing Gov. Arnold…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":382995,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[182,1351,2093,1784],"class_list":["post-382994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-supplement","tag-capital-hill","tag-chalan-kanoa","tag-china-town","tag-navy-hill"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/382994","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=382994"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/382994\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/382995"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=382994"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=382994"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=382994"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u2014Suzette Zandueta, Capital Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Maryann Borja, Rota<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Mark Dungca, China Town<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Francine Ballesteros, Capital Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Erica Reyes, As Terlaje<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Roland Cabrera, Chalan Kanoa<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Joshua Castro, Navy Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Robert Mojica, Chalan Kanoa<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Edward Dela Cruz Jr., San Vicente<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Justin Royce Agustines, China Town<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Jimmy Mira, Sadog Tasi<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Danica Guevarra, Susupe<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Reynalynn Agbayani, Songsong, Rota<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Mary Jane Tenorio, Chalan Piao<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Korey Tenorio, Chalan Piao<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Marvin Tebit, China Town<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Sarah Herman, Chalan Tun Antonio Apa<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Romeo Herman, Chalan Tun Antonio Apa<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Rosien Depich, San Antonio<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Joannie Laniyo, Oleai<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"