Gov. David M. Apatang announced plans to organize a government-wide beautification initiative, urging agencies and municipal leaders to replace concrete barriers along the island’s main roads with ornamental plants and trees to improve the visitor experience.
Speaking at the Saipan International Airport welcome sign unveiling event, Apatang emphasized the need to open community spaces and transform the industrial appearance of key travel routes into welcoming landscapes.
“While you are making your noticeable improvements, to enhance visitors’ experience, please let us work together to remove all those concrete and barricades that line up along the main road and open the grassroots field down the street from here,” Apatang said. “We need to have our people have access to those fields. I don’t like permanent concrete standing along the way. We’d rather put plant flowers up there and trees.”
The governor said he would invite mayors to join the effort, highlighting the role of ornamental plants, flame trees and fruit trees in reshaping the scenery leading to and from the airport terminals.
“I am sure ornamental plants will transform the scenery along the main road into the in and out of the air terminals from the industrial appearance into the beautiful pleasing landscape,” Apatang said. “I know we all can do better.”
Apatang added that the beautification plan will involve all government agencies and community partners, with a focus on cleaning public areas, planting more flowers and attracting tourism.
The initiative comes as local leaders stress the importance of improving public spaces and enhancing the CNMI’s appeal to visitors and residents alike.
