Resolving ‘just compensation’

As we actively debate the eventual disposition of Article 12, there’s the longstanding issue of “just compensation” for land taken from private landowners before and after the war. It remains a longstanding issue where the government now uses these properties that assisted in the expansion of the local economy. But it has yet to satisfy the landowners who yearn for the final settlement of their land taken years ago for public purposes.

There’s a recommendation I’d like to venture as an alternative to putting this matter behind us: Approve a legislative initiative to amend pertinent constitutional provision, postponing remittance of DPL funds to MPLT earmarking them for “just compensation.” There should be a sunset clause for reversion to current procedure upon final settlement of all land claims. It’s an alternative in the wake of scarce resources to justly compensate landowners.

In essence, we’re not paying a debt but a major investment over the last 60 years in the acquisition, opening, and establishment of major roadways that allowed major industries like tourism and other commercial ventures full establishment. It also accommodated other needs of the community, from fishing and farming to commercial development, to name a few. Imagine if landowners simply blocked what’s theirs for lack of just compensation. We would have been stuck in no man’s land in any and all efforts to improve the general livelihood of our people.

This temporary arrangement would require innovative methods of payment. For instance, the interest per case is a real huge sum. Reason? It stops the day a final settlement is signed by both DPL and land claimant. So that no further expense is incurred on claims, this part of the settlement must be paid in full first and foremost. Or if money is available for final settlement, then the better off we would be in the final settlement of all land claims. The initial estimate for all claims is about $150 million. It’s better than needlessly floating another bond obligation to pile on the shoulders of our children.

At a time when the economy has melted way below expectations, it’s fitting that we find ways to resolve this longstanding issue in less painful fashion. The only adverse impact such an initiative would have is the annual budget of MPLT, an issue that could easily be reduced to skeletal level in order to satisfy and resolve this matter once and for all.

Assuming that this recommendation makes it through both chambers and approved by the electorate, a special account could be established under DPL’s charge to review and resolve land claims once and for all. It’s about time that we explore every avenue available to satisfy pending claims by land claimants. Many of them have died and many more are in their golden years hoping for real answers to pipe dreams. I’d like to encourage our legislators to push for an initiative in this regard to put this matter to rest. Land claimants deserve nothing less.

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Owning-up to our responsibilities

We finally donned our set of lenses that would enable us to see in full view the ugly effects of the devastating economic meltdown on the islands. The combined federal and local negligence was exacerbated by the lack of a local socio-economic plan to use as a barometer or credible guidance as we consider the next move.

The uncertainty was further fueled by the CNMI’s lawsuit on labor vs. the U.S. Homeland Security. DHS had to stop and ponder what the court decision would be. It was forced to delay the timely preparation of pertinent regulations relating to investment, labor requirements, visa waiver, etc.

The slow thawing of the culture of reluctance confirms our apparent inability coming to grips with the fact that there’s more to the exercise of self-government than the constant search for the perfect scapegoat to blame in perpetuity. It further confirms the dire need to revisit the first principles—essence of the U.S. Constitution—in hopes that we muster maturity to deal with our individual and collective moral obligations to do what’s right for all citizens. It’s time to begin owning up to our responsibilities.

Stunning how our once famous sense of harmony founded on communal relationship has slowly disappeared in the rough seas of change. Perhaps we’ve been too busy adapting to the ways of others as to ignore sustaining the very essence of our unique cultural fabric that has held us together for over 500 years. Our ancestors must be turning in their graves as we opt to ignore the time-honored tradition of resolution of differences before sunset.

Through the years, we’ve complained that we don’t need economists or technical expertise to tell us what we already know. Excuse me, please back up a little: If there’s truth to such claim understandably riddled with arrogance, then where is the truth in “what we already know?” Why the assistance from the U.S. Department of the Interior to defray the cost of a socio-economic plan? It confirms that without it, we’d be repeating grand failure, as is the case today.

Wasn’t it in the mid-’90s when JAL, Hotel Nikko and other hotels were sold, including the closure of the apparel industry and other major players? Would negative tidings of how major investors left the CNMI work in our favor? Is there a future for large investments in the near and far term? If so, what are they and would they be comparable to what we had in recent past? Or would this notion be a pipe dream for several decades before something worthy of consideration appears in the horizon?

It goes without saying that the CNMI can’t play opossum when Interior begins to put together the next socio-economic plan. We must proactively participate so that at the end of the day, the left hand knows what the right hand is doing. The study would be an involved package requiring an understanding of economics, the goals and objectives to be followed, time line to achieve those goals, requisite policies to aid in the attainment of goals, and refinement of policies as we move along. This should become the bible, especially for policymakers whose fiduciary duty is to ensure the timely approval of policies to facilitate goals set under the plan.

With a sense of purpose, confidence, clarity and consistency, we can make it over the next hurdle, placing utmost importance in refining policies for the good of the Northern Marianas community. Sorry, there’s no more room for mediocrity and failure!