SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang signed a proclamation Monday declaring Aug. 17 to 21, 2026, as CNMI Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, at a Governor’s Conference Room ceremony where ESGR leaders revealed the CNMI’s employers have been earning honors at the national level.
Guam-CNMI ESGR State Chair Cathy Gogue said Saipan-based Pacific Engineering Group and Services was recognized nationally with a Pro Patria award and advanced as a semifinalist for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, competing among 54 state and territorial committees. In 2025, she said, the CNMI took two of the three Pro Patria awards given nationally, honoring PEGS and the U.S. District Court.
“That’s never happened before for the NMI, and we’re so proud to be a part of that celebration,” Gogue said.
Gogue described how PEGS President and CEO Gregorio Castro and his wife supported one of the company’s employees serving in the Army Reserve, attending her basic training graduation, helping with expenses and bringing her home for Christmas during her military occupational training. “They really treat her like family,” she said. “That’s just something that I think is amazing for any employer to do.”
Apatang, in his remarks, congratulated employers “for their support of ESGR and for contributing to our community more than expected.” He noted that when a team member is absent for military duty, “it sometimes affects their operations to an extent. But employers are there with us all the time.”
To the members of the Guard and Reserve, Apatang said, “You make our lives better and safer,” closing his remarks with Si Yuus Maase, Ghilisow and thank you — and drawing laughter by urging the visiting Guam delegation to “make sure you spend all your money before you go back to Guam. We need the economy.”
House Speaker Edmund Villagomez attended and thanked service members, volunteers and employers. “Thank you for doing what you do so we can enjoy days like this,” he said, thanking employers for “giving the opportunity for service members to go out there and defend their freedom, and knowing that they have a place to return to.”
The ceremony, emceed by CNMI Area Chair Joann Aquino, also recognized the committee’s own national honorees. Ombudsman Director David Sablan received a national ESGR volunteer award in 2025, one of only two given nationwide each year, and Don Clark, a part owner of ASC, received a national award in 2026. Military Outreach Director Gerard Damian was named a national Volunteer of the Year for 2025. Chair Emeritus, retired Major General Benny M. Paulino, who brings 36 years of military experience to the committee, received its first such national recognition in 2024.
Sablan, a 20-year ESGR volunteer who never served in the military, called the work “one of the best things that I’ve done in my entire career.” His message to service members: “Focus on what you need to do, and we’ll take care of whatever needs to be done here back home, including your family.”
Sgt. Aloysius Atalig of the 302nd Quartermaster and Sgt. Jamerie Paras of the 368th Military Police, U.S. Army Reserve, read the proclamation, which cites the CNMI’s highest per capita membership in the Reserve Components among all U.S. states and territories, the Guam-CNMI committee’s 29 years of service since 1997, and more than 3,800 volunteer hours contributed in Fiscal Year 2025 with more than 2,600 already logged in Fiscal Year 2026.
Lt. Col. Venesia Roberto, representing the Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard, joined the visiting delegation.
The proclamation calls on all residents to recognize the lasting contributions of Guard and Reserve service members, their families, the employers who stand behind them and the ESGR volunteers who strengthen those partnerships.
