GCEA MSP Christmas Decorating Contest brought out the holiday spirit in local schools
Friday, January 13, 2023 The Governor's Council of Economic Advisers (GCEA) had the pleasure of welcoming new and returning participants...
top of page
WEEKLY COLUMNS
Photo courtesy of Marianas Visitors Authority
2023 COLUMNS
- Jan 6
GCEA’s outlook for 2023: Together, We Can!
Friday, January 6, 2023 As we begin this new year, it is natural to look ahead and envision what kind of year 2023 will be, what changes...
2022 COLUMNS
- Dec 29, 2022
GCEA thanks its partners for another year of progress toward economic recovery
Friday, December 30, 2022 As we mark the end of 2022, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers (GCEA) looks back on a year of growing...
- Dec 22, 2022
We’re Dreaming of a Green Christmas
Friday, December 23, 2022 The days leading up to Christmas are exciting and full of anticipation about celebrations and sharing love and...
- Dec 16, 2022
The Christmas season unites businesses and our community
Friday, December 16, 2022 One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is that it creates a sense of warmth and togetherness. As...
- Dec 9, 2022
The GCEA’s Christmas Decorating Contest promotes holiday cheer in all schools and businesses
Friday, December 9, 2022 Every Christmas, I look forward to seeing and hearing about the Christmas spirit in the community. Villages...
- Dec 2, 2022
The MVA introduces a Mini Christmas Village that will light up Garapan Fishing Base
Friday, December 2, 2022 Christmas in the Marianas is one of the Marianas Visitors Authority's (MVA) most popular annual signature...
- Nov 24, 2022
GCEA thanks non-profit organizations and churches for improving lives during the holidays
Thursday, November 24, 2022 The holidays have arrived. Today, families across the Marianas are gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving with...
- Nov 18, 2022
A newly developed Garapan Core will greatly benefit our economy
Friday, November 18, 2022 The Office of Planning and Development, in partnership with the US Department of Commerce's Economic...
- Nov 11, 2022
Veterans Day Ceremony recognizes all veterans for their service
Friday, November 11, 2022 Within the year, there are only two days dedicated to our armed forces -- Memorial Day and Veterans Day. On...
- Nov 4, 2022
Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan is now open to welcome guests to the Marianas
Friday, November 04, 2022 The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) along with key Crowne Plaza Resort management and Tan Holdings...
- Oct 28, 2022
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Trunk or Treat event is a great way for our community to come together
Friday, October 28, 2022 The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (JKPL) is the Marianas’ information hub, preserving its cultural heritage and...
- Oct 21, 2022
Marianas School Pride encourages students to lead beautification efforts
Friday, October 21, 2022 When students step onto their campus in the mornings, the first thing they see is the main entrance of the...
- Oct 14, 2022
CNMI SBDC Network provides entrepreneurs an opportunity to further their career through SEED to Sail
Friday, October 14, 2022 When you have faith as wide as the ocean, the possibilities are limitless. The CNMI Small Business Development...
- Oct 7, 2022
New and returning visitors welcomed to Bisita Luta and Saint San Francisco De Borja festival
Friday, October 7, 2022 Rota has earned the reputation of being the friendliest island in the world thanks to the many tourists who have...
- Sep 30, 2022
GCEA’s 10-year plan provides ideas for sustainable growth for our economy
Friday, September 30, 2022 As the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers (GCEA) finishes its second year of activities, the task at hand...
- Sep 22, 2022
Marianas School Pride is a partner of Our Public School’s Campaign in making a difference
Friday, September 23, 2022 Gearing up for the Marianas School Pride (MSP) launch this Monday, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers...
- Sep 16, 2022
New mural project part of GCEA’s 2nd Anniversary Community Project in Rota
Friday, September 16, 2022 Murals have a long history in American art, dating back to John Trumbull's proposal for the Capitol in...
- Sep 9, 2022
September 2022 Marks Field of Heroes’ 7th Anniversary in The Marianas
Friday, September 9, 2022 Seven years ago, I was tasked with creating an event or experience that our community could look forward to...
- Sep 2, 2022
Labor Day 2022 has a new significance as we honor all service workers
Friday, September 2, 2022 As we celebrate Labor Day 2022 this September 5th, I’d like for us to reflect on the challenges we have...
- Aug 26, 2022
4-H Marianas Camp Maga’lahi summer camp expanding to include more topics and youth activities
Friday, August 26, 2022 In early August, the 4-H Marianas concluded its annual 4-H Camp Maga’lahi on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. The 4-H...
- Aug 19, 2022
Friends of Business Summit brought our community together to support small businesses
Friday, August 12, 2022 It has been a week since the Saipan Chamber of Commerce with the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network...
- Aug 12, 2022
“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it.”
Friday, August 12, 2022 This year has been very exciting, particularly at the start of the year when the Northern Marianas College was...
- Aug 5, 2022
GCEA celebrates two years of improving life in the Marianas for all
Friday, August 5, 2022 Håfa Adai yan Tirow Wóómi! August 2022 marks the second full year of operation for the Governor’s Council of...
- Jul 28, 2022
Marianas Southern Airways Offers Many Opportunities for CNMI Residents
Friday, July 29, 2022 The Marianas Southern Airways, the CNMI's newest airline, will fly between Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam in less...
- Jul 22, 2022
Momentum from Mini Games Offer New Outlooks for CNMI Residents and Visitors
Friday, July 22, 2022 On behalf of the Northern Marianas Sports Association (NMSA), we are extremely proud and thankful to the...
- Jul 15, 2022
Direct flights between Japan-Saipan will create more jobs for the CNMI
Friday, July 15, 2022 When the COVID-19 pandemic started over a year and a half ago, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers (GCEA)...
- Jul 8, 2022
New small business survey designed to gain insight into how to better support business owners
Friday, July 8, 2022 When I first started my business back in August 2009, there were a few hiccups in getting my business started....
- Jul 1, 2022
“Honoring Our Legacy as We Ride the Waves of Change”
Friday, July 1, 2022 This year marks the 76th year since our ancestors were allowed to return to their family homes, farmlands, and...
- Jun 24, 2022
The Marianas thanks the delegations, officials and all who made the NMPMG 2022 successful
Friday, June 24, 2022 This past week, the Marianas hosted the most historic event on island – the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games...
- Jun 17, 2022
The Taste of the Marianas welcomes all the NMIPMG 2022 athletes
Friday, June 17, 2022 During the early planning stage of the Taste of the Marianas, the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) aimed to host...
- Jun 10, 2022
The Marianas proudly welcomes 20 countries for the Pacific Mini Games
Friday, June 10, 2022 When I was appointed to serve as the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 (PMG 2022) chief executive officer...
- Jun 3, 2022
Tourism improves our quality of life in the Marianas
Friday, June 3, 2022 Håfa Adai and Tirow! June is a pivotal time for the Marianas. Many positive developments are taking flight, from the...
- May 27, 2022
Economic Development improves the quality of life for residents
Friday, May 27, 2022 Going into the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority's (CEDA) as the first Economic Development Manager, my...
- May 20, 2022
2022 Liberation Day Parade to mark 76 years of freedom
Friday, May 20, 2022 In June of 1944, during the Pacific Campaign of World War II, the U.S. Marines took the beaches of Saipan which had...
- May 13, 2022
Marianas High School wins top prize through commitment and participation
Friday, May 13, 2022 Hafa Adai yan Tirow Woomi from Marianas High School! On April 19, Marianas High School (MHS) was the top winner of...
- May 6, 2022
Restoring our Marpi sites will offer a better experience for tourists and residents
Friday, May 6, 2022 On April 18, along with the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) board members, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, leaders from our...
- Apr 29, 2022
GCEA Thanks the Community for Making the Marianas a Better Place to Live
Friday, April 29, 2022 GCEA Thanks the Community for Making the Marianas a Better Place to Live On April 21, the Governor’s Council of...
- Apr 15, 2022
Lenten Season is about reconnecting and restoring faith in God
Friday, April 8, 2022 As many know, the Catholic community will be completing 40 days of transformation through prayer, fasting, and...
- Apr 8, 2022
An active lifestyle will allow us to live longer and healthier lives with our families
Friday, April 8, 2022 Testing positive for COVID-19 and having to isolate myself with my family for five days reinforced in me the...
- Apr 1, 2022
Tinian divert airfield will open job opportunities for residents
Friday, April 1, 2021 For many years, Tinian has intended on being a self-sufficient island. CNMI leaders and elected officials have seen...
- Mar 25, 2022
Covenant Day marks 46 years of a strong relationship between the NMI and the U.S.
Friday, March 25, 2022 On March 24, 1976, the U.S Government signed the agreement known as the Covenant Agreement that allowed the...
- Mar 18, 2022
NMI Welcomes Oceania National Olympics Committee as Preparations Continue for the Pacific Mini Games
Friday, March 18, 2022 When I became the board chairman for the Pacific Mini Games (PMG) Council, I saw an opportunity to encourage the...
- Mar 11, 2022
New NMIFA soccer pitch to offer more opportunities for community to be active and healthy
Friday, March 11, 2022 When we started the Northern Marianas Football Association’s (NMIFA) soccer program in 2005, we never expected to...
- Mar 4, 2022
Village enhancements allow residents to preserve and sustain the environment
Friday, March 4, 2022 The Public School System (PSS) continue to wade through the impact and challenges brought by the pandemic. This...
- Feb 25, 2022
The 4-H Marianas empowers CNMI youth to become leaders in the community
Friday, February 25, 2022 Since the 4-H Marianas was established in 2015, it has served more than 20,000 youth in Rota, Tinian, and...
- Feb 18, 2022
Carolinian Affairs Office joins GCEA's Marianas Village Pride Campaign
Friday, February 18, 2022 There is a lot of beauty and significance in the Refaluwasch heritage, culture, arts, music, and traditions...
- Feb 10, 2022
Public benefit fund supports transformation projects in Rota, Tinian, and Saipan
Friday, February 11, 2022 Since the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers’ (GCEA) Public Private Partnership (PPP) program began in...
- Feb 4, 2022
The Marianas’ Festival Island invites the community to the 18th Annual Tinian Pika Fest
Friday, February 4, 2022 For as long as I can remember, Tinian has been known as the hot pepper island where the hottest donne’ Sali...
- Jan 28, 2022
Lunar New Year is a significant time for Asian communities throughout the Marianas
Friday, January 28, 2022 While most countries around the world celebrated New Year’s Day, the Asian communities of Saipan are...
- Jan 20, 2022
It takes a village to provide a better world
Friday, January 21, 2022 Last Friday, the faculty and staff from the Northern Marianas College (NMC) gathered together to revitalize an...
- Jan 14, 2022
Nonprofit organizations are essential for a thriving community
Friday, January 14, 2022 Nonprofit organizations have been and will continue to play a vital role in building resilient communities by...
- Dec 31, 2021
Together, we’ve achieved so much, Marianas
Friday, December 31, 2021 As 2021 ends, we look back on an extraordinary two years of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us...
- Dec 24, 2021
Have a very merry eco-friendly and safe Christmas
Friday, December 24, 2021 From buying and wrapping gifts to decorating your home and planning your holiday feasts, you’ll be surprised to...
- Dec 17, 2021
Buying locally from small businesses helps to support local jobs
Friday, December 17, 2021 I am grateful that our small business, the Naked Fish Bar and Grill, has grown successfully in the past 17...
- Dec 10, 2021
Let’s show our Christmas spirit in our villages
Friday, December 10, 2021 Christmas is a season of peace, joy, and hope for a fresh start and a brighter new year ahead. For my family...
- Dec 3, 2021
Vaccinations and other public health measures will allow residents to move forward
Friday, December 3, 2021 On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. After a year and a half...
- Nov 26, 2021
Our villages need our help
Friday, November 26, 2021 It is common to think that village beautification is a government or private sector function. However, as...
- Nov 19, 2021
Promoting village pride within our schools makes for better students
Friday, November 19, 2021 When the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers presented its Marianas Village Pride (MVP) Campaign at the...
- Nov 12, 2021
Tinian youth lead beautification efforts to promote village and island pride
Friday, November 12, 2021 The Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan joins Rota and Saipan in supporting the Governor’s Council of...
- Nov 5, 2021
The MVP Campaign empowers Rota residents
Friday, November 5, 2021 Håfa Adai yan Tirow Wóómi, with our signature Aluf, from your friendly island of Luta. When the Governor’s...
- Oct 29, 2021
Hotel branding brings quality service and investments to the Marianas
Friday, October 29, 2021 The new 40-year lease agreement between the Hyatt Regency Saipan and the CNMI government brings the number of...
- Oct 22, 2021
There are many MVPs to recognize this week
Friday, October 23, 2021 This past week, if you passed through Beach Road and Garapan Middle Road, you would’ve noticed a significant...
- Oct 15, 2021
Investment Incentive Act of 2021 will offer opportunities for a sustainable and quality economy
Friday, October 15, 2021 Today, Oct. 15, the Senate holds its fourth day of its regular session in Rota, and part of the agenda is the...
- Oct 8, 2021
Resolving the Marianas’ trash issues will require cooperative effort
Friday, October 8, 2021 Last weekend, empty beer bottles and bags of food were left on one of the benches at Micro Beach. This...
- Oct 1, 2021
Let’s support the Marianas Village Pride campaign
Friday, October 1, 2021 On Sept. 20, Hon. Mayor Efraim Atalig, representatives from the office of Hon. Mayor Edwin Aldan, representatives...
- Sep 24, 2021
TRIP extension can build momentum for tourism’s resumption
Friday, September 24, 2021 When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, The Marianas’ borders were immediately closed to visitors....
- Sep 17, 2021
Adopt a median and help make our roads safer for pedestrians and motorists
Friday, September 17, 2021 We’ve seen or read about unfortunate auto-pedestrian incidents in our islands too many times. Many of which...
- Sep 10, 2021
Modernizing business processes in The Marianas is key to recovery
Friday, September 10, 2021 In late August, we received the great news that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development...
- Sep 3, 2021
ARPA funds bring people back to work, stimulate local economy
Friday, September 3, 2021 We’ve seen positive development in our economy and labor force in the past months. People are queueing in...
- Aug 27, 2021
Our indigenous cultures make The Marianas a unique destination
Friday, August 27, 2021 On August 21, more than 30 private and public organizations on Saipan were recognized as they joined the Hafa...
- Aug 20, 2021
GCEA celebrates milestones, sets bigger goals
Friday, August 20, 2021 The late Rep. Ivan Alafanso Blanco once commented how the Public Private Partnership initiative of the Governor’s...
- Aug 13, 2021
New QC Program is key to attracting investors to The Marianas
Friday, August 13, 2021 When the CNMI House and Senate unanimously passed House Bill 22-21, transforming the Commonwealth Development...
- Aug 6, 2021
Let’s get vaccinated so we can get our schools reopened safely
Friday, August 6, 2021 The pandemic has caused extraordinary disruptions in education across the globe. During the onset of the crisis,...
- Jul 30, 2021
Complete streets will improve safety and ease of travel in The Marianas
Friday, July 30, 2021 The Department of Lands and Natural Resources’ announcement last week barring bicycles along the Gov. Froilan C....
- Jul 23, 2021
Road to 80: A shot for safety and economic opportunities
Friday, July 23, 2021 The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force has been aggressive in its vaccination campaign in the past several months to...
- Jul 16, 2021
Let’s take pro-active steps to reopen tourism
Friday, July 16, 2021 This summer, The Marianas will be holding several festivities that will provide exciting experiences at the perfect...
- Jul 9, 2021
Ensuring safe restart of tourism through a travel bubble with Korea
Friday, July 9, 2021 On June 30, Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres and Vice Minister Seong-Kyu Hwang from the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Land,...
- Jul 2, 2021
“Multi-Island Integrated Destination” approach to tourism will unite and strengthen The Marianas
Friday, July 2, 2021 This past week, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers made a presentation in Tinian that further examines the...
- Jun 25, 2021
Tinian’s assets important for “Multi-Island Integrated Destination” promotion
Friday, June 25, 2021 The Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers is on Tinian this weekend for its monthly meeting and the council’s...
- Jun 18, 2021
Together we can take the Hafa Adai & Tirow Pledge
Friday, June 18, 2021 Our friends at the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) launched the Hafa Adai & Tirow Pledge and are taking the right...
- Jun 11, 2021
Together we can restore trust in traveling to The Marianas
Friday, June 11, 2021 This has been a positively eventful week for The Marianas. The Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers (GCEA)...
- Jun 4, 2021
Infrastructure and Recovery Program will spur timely delivery of key projects
Friday, June 4, 2021 The Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers supports the establishment of the Infrastructure and Recovery Program...
- May 28, 2021
Rota welcomes site transformations, tourism innovation
Friday, May 28, 2021 As Rota warmly welcomed the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers (GCEA) with its famous “Aluf” or hand wave, its...
- May 21, 2021
Together we can make more significant strides for The Marianas
Friday, May 21, 2021 During the early months of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers’ (GCEA) work, Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres and Lt....
- May 14, 2021
Better road infrastructure improves the quality of life of our community
Friday, May 14, 2021 During the onset of the pandemic, we were fortunate to live on islands with uncrowded and open public spaces. On...
- May 7, 2021
Together, we can spread awareness & enforce waste management
Friday, May 7, 2021 As we conclude our discussion on solid waste management issues confronting the Marianas, I can’t help but be...
- Apr 30, 2021
Together, we can practice the 3Rs to minimize waste
Friday, April 30, 2021 As we continue our discussion about universal garbage collection (UGC), we should understand how the Marpi...
- Apr 23, 2021
Together, we can put trash in its proper place
A case study in 2004 recognized Saipan’s solid waste management system as a model for other South Pacific islands to follow.
- Apr 16, 2021
Together, we can transform the CNMI one stakeholder at a time
Together, We Can. This mantra reminds us how we can turn things around for our islands and our people with or without the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Apr 9, 2021
Together, we can transform our islands’ sites and village facilities to benefit us all
The colorful concrete benches and tables along Beach Road were a hit for families that hosted their Easter Sunday celebrations last weekend.
- Apr 2, 2021
Together, we can safely reopen tourism to jumpstart our economy
We can’t emphasize enough how the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force have done a great job in ...
- Mar 26, 2021
CEDA’s critical role in economic recovery
Today, as we face the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, looking back provides some perspective for a path forward.
- Mar 19, 2021
TOGETHER, WE CAN take control of our economic future
One year ago, no one could have imagined the magnitude of the economic devastation that the COVID-19 pandemic would cause, and the ...
- Mar 12, 2021
TOGETHER WE CAN create a better CNMI
To say that the tourism industry, the major driving force for the CNMI economy, took a blow from the COVID-19 pandemic would be an ...
2021 COLUMNS
2021 Columns
bottom of page