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Lee Pan questions DPL chief’s intentions on tourism
Rep. Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero (R-Saipan) is questioning the decision of the Department of Public Lands regarding the suspension of the “Tuesday Night Market” at the Garapan Fishing Base.
Guerrero showed a letter in which DPL Secretary Pete A. Tenorio denied the request of Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Seman to continue the night market.
In the letter, the DPL chief cited that the temporary authorization issued for the night market already expired as early as September 2013.
Guerrero believes, though, that DPL declined the request to continue the regular event to give way to Skywalker Communications Group, which has started organizing the 2015 Liberation Day celebrations.
“Is there favoritism here?” Guerrero asked.
Suspending the Tuesday Night Market also effectively suspends the Thursday Night Market held at the same venue, he said.
Guerrero said tourists from almost all the nearby hotels visit the Thursday Night Market. “Maybe the [DPL] secretary is not pro-tourism. Maybe he is anti-tourism,” Guerrero said.
He said the DPL’s decision would shut down small entrepreneurs and self-sustaining businesses.
Guerrero, chairman of the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, said he is planning to sit down with Saipan Mayor David Apatang and other concerned agencies regarding the night activities.
He also plans to meet with representatives of Skywalker Communications Group to find out if the activities can be integrated into the Liberation Day celebrations.
Guerrero also lambasted DPL for not “coordinating” with the other government agencies. “Maybe the DPL is busy. But all government departments are busy. Why can’t there be coordination?” he asked.
