GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres commended the members of his council of economic advisors for their commitment to the revitalization of the Commonwealth amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ralph DLG Torres
“Truly, they’ve worked tirelessly the past eight, nine months amid the pandemic,” he said.
The governor noted that the combined 36 private companies and non-governmental organizations have committed to safeguard, protect and remodel the islands’ 22 tourist sites for five years.
“That’s real commitment coming from the advisory council,” he added, referring to council chairman Jerry Tan, other private and community partners as well as lawmakers.
Meantime, the Commonwealth is looking at other funding sources to support its revitalization efforts, including funds from the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief Program, U.S. Economic Development Administration and other federal agencies or programs.
The governor said the council has also strongly recommended expediting the permitting and procurement processes, and will soon present its ideas to the Legislature for consideration.
These recommendations are based on the council’s review of the current processes as well as laws that may need to be updated.
“They have also done a tremendous job in making sure that we reach across the aisle and that we all understand what we are facing today, what we [will be] facing in the next several years, and what we need to do as a community, as a government, and as private partners as well.”
