New law allots $1M to several Saipan projects

Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres enacted yesterday a local measure that allocates $1 million to several projects on Saipan.

House Local Bill 20-36, S1, offered by Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) and passed by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, appropriates $1 million to assist various entities and projects within Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

The money comes from the Exclusive Gaming Annual License Fees allotted to Saipan under Public Law 18-56.

“The bill provides funding for essential services and programs including, among other things, local job training, small business development, cultural education, and services for our friends and family with disabilities. The goal of this section of Public Law 18-56 was to make sure that $1 million of the annual license fee is prioritized for key infrastructure projects in our precincts and for programs and services that serve a public purpose. I commend [delegation chair] J.P. Sablan and the delegation for allocating for these priorities. We hope to continue this work of addressing more priorities as we move forward,” Torres said.

The appropriation is as follows:

• $80,000 to the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc.
• $50,000 to the Carolinian Affairs for the 2017 Cultural Heritage Month
• $20,000 to the Salvation Army CNMI Citadel Corps
• $75,000 to the Commonwealth Zoning Board for their enforcement personnel and operation
• $25,000 to the Civil Service Commission and Office of Personnel Management for civil service training programs
• $220,000 to the Office of the Mayor of Saipan for the purchase of a new tractor/boom mower
• $10,000 to the NMI Crime Stoppers Program
• $15,000 to the Saipan and Northern Islands Agriculture Fair Association for the 2017 Saipan Agriculture Fair
• $34,000 to the Department of Finance, Division of Procurement and Supply for the purchase of a new vehicle
• $50,000 to the Micronesian Legal Services-Marianas Office
• $25,000 to the Commonwealth Women’s Association to renovate and repair Building 1221 to be used as the CNMI Women’s Center
• $50,000 to the Latte Training Academy to support job training courses/programs in hotel/hospitality, healthcare, and information technology
• $25,000 to the Department of Labor for the procurement of a vehicle for labor enforcement
• $20,000 to the Department of Commerce to support hosting of the 2017 Business Development Seminar
• $10,000 to the Music of the Marianas Association to procure music equipment to support youth programs promoting local music
• $10,000 to Napu Outrigger Canoe Club to support youth-based outrigger programs
• $51,735 to SNILD
• $40,853 for road widening in Chalan Tun Antonio Apa in Fina Sisu in Precinct 1
• $40,853 for the renovation of the Susupe Social Hall in Precinct 2
• $10,000 for the water drainage system in Oleai by the San Jose Church and $30,853 for the pavement and beautification of the easement north of the Marina Heights Building in Precinct III
• $40,853 for the paving of Egigi Drive on Capital Hill in Precinct 4
• $28,000 for the construction of two bus stops on Lalangita Road, one bus stop on Hasngot Drive, one bus stop on Bilimbines Street, and two bus stops on Isa Drive, and
• $12,853 for the installation of street lights in Kagman 1, 2, 3 in Precinct 5.

The bill becomes Saipan Local Law 20-10. (PR)