Federal teams deploy to restore power in Saipan, financial institutions launch typhoon relief
BY DANIEL M. PEREZ
Journal Staff
CAPITOL HILL, Saipan — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has deployed soldiers from the 249th Engineering Battalion, civilian personnel with the Temporary Emergency Power Planning and Response Team, and contractors to the Northern Mariana Islands to conduct damage assessments and generator installations. The teams are coordinating with local officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide temporary emergency power to critical facilities throughout Saipan.
Photo courtesy of Col. Nahaku McFadden U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division First Hawaiian Bank announced financial relief for customers in Guam and the NMI, after Typhoon Sinlaku. The bank is providing fee relief for everyday banking needs, including ATM and late fee waivers. Additionally, customers may defer payments for up to three months on business loans, consumer loans, credit cards, and mortgages.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has issued a mandatory water conservation advisory for Saipan. Water usage is restricted to essential needs, including drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene. Effective immediately, all car wash facilities relying on CUC water must remain closed until further notice. Crews are currently active in identifying and repairing leaks across the system.
Infrastructure restoration is also progressing in the telecommunications and energy sectors. Docomo Pacific has restored mobile service to the Dandan area and surrounding neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Mobil Oil Mariana Islands has reopened seven service stations across Saipan, with most operating from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., though the Garapan location has 24-hour service.
Significant progress was made on the island’s transportation network on Friday, April 24, as the Department of Public Works completed emergency road repairs on Route 34, Kagman Road. The roadway has been stabilized and is now open to all, including heavy vehicles. While the road is clear, DPW urges motorists to continue driving with caution as crews remain on-site to monitor the area.
Micronesian Air Cargo Services returned to fully operational status. MACS is operating cargo flights between Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. For residents seeking individual recovery support, FEMA-4910-DR-CNMI assistance is available to all NMI residents through online applications or by phone. Immediate relief efforts continue with food commodity distributions. A drive-through distribution is scheduled for April 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. at the Inalajan Community Center in Guam. This follows a walk-up distribution held at the Micronesia Mall and a drive-through at the Northern Region Community Health Center in Dededo on April 24.
The storm has forced adjustments to several business community events. The Saipan Chamber of Commerce cancelled its annual golf tournament originally scheduled for April 25, and the Guam Chamber of Commerce postponed its gala set for May 2. However, the Make-A-Wish Guam and CNMI "Golf for Wishes" tournament at LeoPalace Resort Country Club will proceed on May 2. The event features a two-person scramble with a 7a.m. show time and an 8 a.m. shotgun start. mbj
The U.S Coast Guard for Guam and Micronesia advised June 1 the precise location where local and federal partners will clear of damaged vessels in Saipan.
Even before Super Typhoon Sinlaku battered the Northern Mariana Islands and disrupted fragile supply chains, businesses across the islands were already struggling with rising costs of doing business, especially with surging fuel and utility charges, worker shortages, and the general difficulty of obtaining imported products, not to mention shipping delays due to competition with the enormous tonnage of disaster aid coming to the islands.
