Bill establishing cultural center passes House

Rep. Felicidad Ogumoro’s (R-Saipan) bill establishing the Northern Marianas Cultural Center passed the House of Representatives last July 14 and House Bill 19-127, HS1 is now at the Senate for consideration.

Ogumoro said, “The Northern Marianas Cultural Center is established as a Commonwealth Public Corporation under the management and control the Board of Directors. The governor shall appoint one member from the First Senatorial District, one from the Second Senatorial District and three from the Third Senatorial District. The resident executive for Indigenous Affairs and the executive assistant for Carolinian Affairs shall be voting members of the board. The corporation’s purpose is to plan, develop, establish, operate, manage and control the Northern Marianas Cultural Center, and to undertake programs and projects that will protect, preserve, promote, and enhance the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian cultures, heritage and traditions, and others, for the interest and benefits of persons of Northern Marianas descent. That, the Northern Marianas Cultural Center will help create jobs and contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy.”

HB 19-127, HS1 allows the allocation, for a period of five years, the interest accrued on the proceeds of the Marianas Public Land Trust Funds, which MPLT transfers annually to the general revenues of the Commonwealth for appropriation by the Legislature.

Such funds will be used to support the planning, development, establishment, and operation of the Northern Marianas Culture Center.

It also provides that upon the request of the corporation, MPLT may approve the advance of $5 million to the corporation subject to the approval of the Legislature. Such advance will be repaid by the withholding of future payments due to the general fund from MPLT.

Ogumoro said, “This is one of the most prudent uses of the MPLT interest income on its investments for the benefit of our people of Northern Marians descent. We continue to talk about cultural preservation and indigenous protection. What better way than to use these monies for the benefit of our indigenous people and cultures, and most especially, for the benefit of our children and future Chamorro and Carolinian generations.”

“I also thank my colleagues in the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation for supporting the passage of H.L.B. No. 19-30, S1, D7 that I authored which includes, among others, $75,000.00 set aside to fund the feasibility study for the Northern Marianas Cultural Center,” she added.