DLNR opposes Northern Islands homestead proposal

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources has opposed a proposal to create village and agricultural homesteads in the Commonwealth’s northern islands.

DLNR Secretary Ignacio Dela Cruz, in a letter to the House Committee on Natural Resources, raised concern about the cost of offering homesteads in Sarigan, Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan.

Dela Cruz said that the bill does not address infrastructure development, which he said must be done before building new homesteads.

“[T]he potential problems that could arise from developing residential and agricultural homesteads without first putting in the basic infrastructure is multiplied manifold,” he said. “If the intent of the bill is to continue past development practices of permitting outhouses and opened cesspool in a residential development, then the bill hit the nail right on the head.”

Dela Cruz also said the Legislature should consider the cost not only for the government, but also for the residents that eventually would be living in the Northern Islands.

“Bottom line, we believe practicality is the only good way for developing meaningful plans. Any other way is a recipe for failure and waste. The biggest question that should be asked is, whether the government is ready to absorb the cost for developing and populating Alamagan, Sagrihan, Pagan, and Agrihan. Without feasibility studies and proper planning, the answer is obvious—it is not yet time,” he said.

Currently, residents of these islands do not hold deeds or titles to the land they have lived on for decades. Although many of them qualify to receive village and agricultural homestead lots, they have not been granted homestead permits.

Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, qualified Northern Islands residents will be granted homesteads, as well as exempted from the requirements applied to homesteaders on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The requirements include completing a three-year homesteading period before the compliance certificate and quitclaim deed are issued. A homesteader also must build a house and occupy it within the two years after the homestead permit is issued. Further, a homesteader must continue occupying that house throughout the third year.

The proposed legislation says these regulations should be waived for Northern Islands residents. “The situation of the islands north of Saipan, which lack transportation and communication services, makes it extremely difficult for the residents of these islands to communicate and or commute to the island of Saipan to get materials and supplies; and to take care of their other needs, such as, to claim for the properties they have lived on for years,” it states.