Legislature trains sights on ‘unchartered idle’ land of PSS

The Legislature wants to use a large parcel of land that belongs to the CNMI Public School System for other purposes.
House Resolution 18-54 was recently introduced at the House of Representatives and the bill is currently under review by the House Natural Resources Committee.

The resolution specifically requests the Office of the Governor and the Department of Public Lands to redesignate 44,485 square meters of public land in Marpi that was given to PSS several years ago.

Then-acting CNMI governor Jesus C. Borja signed the executive order on Jan. 23, 1996, designating two parcels of public lands to PSS. These included Lot No. 011 G 756 containing an area of about 154,289 square meters in Kagman, and Lot No. 045 A 025, containing 44,485 square meters in Marpi.

Based on Executive Order No. 94-3, these properties were given to PSS exclusively for the construction and operation of schools and other education-related activities.

Now a resolution specifically targets the Marpi land in order to build a community park and other features like a basketball court for residents within Precinct 4.

This resolution was introduced by Rep. Christopher Deleon Guerrero (Cov-Saipan) last Feb. 3, and was then referred to a committee.

In its findings, Deleon Guerrero’s resolution indicates that “the public lands designated to PSS approximately two decades ago remain uncharted and idle” up to now.

Board of Education chair Herman T. Guerrero told Saipan Tribune yesterday, however, that PSS will not give up the As Matuis property, pointing out its importance to PSS’ future plans.

Guerrero said that until now, PSS has yet to have a public high school in the northern part of the island. As a homestead area, he cited the expected population growth in Marpi that in the future may potentially need a public school.

“I assume that 20 or 30 years from now, the community will grow and as such, we need to plan for that,” he told Saipan Tribune, adding that planning ahead for the future of education is what the BOE practices.

“Our vision is looking at the future needs of the community,” he added.

Saipan Tribune learned that PSS, at one time, had planned to build a high school in the property. However, this was deferred due to “shifting demographics” as people moved from one place to another.

Guerrero said that as the government opens more homestead areas, more schools will needed—if not now, then in the years ahead.

During a previous BOE meeting, members agreed to oppose the resolution and a final comment will soon be submitted to the House committee.

“But for now, instead of taking that land from PSS, perhaps an MOU [memorandum of understanding] may be executed within the property that would allow a portion of it to be used for community purposes like a basketball court…but we’re not giving that up, ” said Guerrero.

The As Matuis Village Homestead consists approximately of 300 house lots and was established in 1990.