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DPL plans tour to Pagan, invites lawmakers
Department of Public Lands Secretary Pedro A. Tenorio has planned a tour to explore Pagan and has extended the invitation to CNMI lawmakers.
According to Tenorio, the main purpose of the trip is to actually see what Pagan looks like, as talks about proposed military activities, homesteading, and free trade zones on the island continue.
Department of Public Lands Secretary Pedro A. Tenorio, left, and other DPL officials face lawmakers during a budget hearing on Capital Hill yesterday. (Joel D. Pinaroc)
“I believe there is a need see what Pagan looks like now,” Tenorio said.
The official said weather permitting, a chartered boat can take DPL representatives and lawmakers to Pagan “sometime during the summer.”
“I’m checking with the chartered boat to get the possible time where the weather will permit the trip. So between now and summer,” Tenorio said.
Tenorio emphasized that the goal of the trip to “to check the place” adding that he has not visited the island in “15 or 20 years.”
He said part of the visit is a homesteading “village” that was planned years ago. “I want to see where it is, and see if there are changes in the land,” Tenorio said.
Tenorio said inquiries have already been made, and that the department has set aside $50,000 for the exploratory trip.
The U.S. military earlier expressed intention to lease the whole of Pagan as a live training and bombing site, followed by draft environmental impact statement was issued, detailing the effects of the activities.
But the proposal on the live training and bombing was met by a resounding “no,” not just by the CNMI community but also by lawmakers and leaders.
