Governor Arnold I. Palacios accompanied White House Intergovernmental Affairs Associate Director for Puerto Rico and Territories Gretchen Sierra-Zorita and newly appointed Director of Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) of the US Department of Interior John D. Brewer on a site visit to the Kalabera Cave, a project funded by the OIA as part of the CNMI’s capital improvement project for Economic Development.

Governor Arnold I. Palacios welcomed White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Associate Director for Puerto Rico and Territories Ms. Gretchen Sierra-Zorita to the CNMI and discussed a number of ways that her office can help advance some of the Commonwealth’s pressing needs through her and her newly established office’s advocacy at various federal agencies.

Governor Arnold I. Palacios alongside Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Clement R. Bermudes, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DFEMS) Acting Commissioner Juan A. Pua, Department of Corrections (DOC) Commissioner Anthony C. Torres, CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) Special Assistant Franklin R. Babauta, Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) Ports Police Chief Juan T. Dela Cruz, gathered at the Department of Public Safety’s Peace Officers’ Memorial Monument in Susupe.

As part of CNMI Police Week, the annual blue mass took place this morning at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral, paying tribute to law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, as well as those who continue to serve today.

In an ongoing effort to recover and repatriate Japanese war remains in the Commonwealth, Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Honorary Governor Ana Nakatsukasa earlier today received a courtesy visit from the Japanese Association for Recovery & Repatriation of War Casualties (JARRWC) during their third trip to the CNMI.  

As part of Older Americans Month activities, the Office of the Governor congratulated and welcomed Honorary Governor Ana Nakatsukasa and Honorary Lt. Governor Genia Draper to the Governor’s Office as part of Man Åmku’ Takeover Day.

In anticipation of Mother’s Day and the spirit of bringing joy and awareness of the positive impact mothers have in our lives, the CNMI Office of the Governor, First Lady Wella S. Palacios, and the CNMI Office of Women’s Affairs presented gift baskets to Karidat Social Services, Department of Corrections, and the Substance Abuse, Addiction, and Rehabilitation (SAAR) HOPE Recovery Center.

These gift baskets will be distributed to the mothers utilizing the services of those respective departments and organizations.