Bill to address abandoned lots draws mixed feedback

A local bill that seeks to prevent the proliferation of blighted and abandoned properties on Saipan garnered mixed reactions alike from citizens and government agencies during yesterday’s joint public hearing.

Public Lands Secretary Marianne Teregeyo said she supports the intent of House Local Bill 20-14, but opposes several provisions that she said would seriously affect the department.

Citing numerous points from a previous letter that commented on a past form of the bill, Teregeyo pointed out that HLB 20-14, which seeks to make lease-owners and leasees responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of leased properties, would also affect some lands under DPL.

A provision in HLB 20-14 also seeks to impose a daily fine of $200 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses—fines that Teregeyo said DPL can’t pay.

“The cost to comply would significantly exceed the lease revenues generated by DPL, leaving nothing to be remitted to [the Marianas Public Land Trust Fund] as required by the Constitution,” said Teregeyo.

Teregeyo recommended that the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation first make some changes to HLB 20-14, some of which include revisiting the fee amounts, providing clearer parameters on the bill’s applicability as well as how far it would apply to DPL, among many others.

Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion wholly supported the intent of the bill due to the many unsightly properties on Saipan. According to Concepcion, tourists have been providing negative feedback on the abandoned properties and structures scattered across the CNMI.

“We think that the bill is good; [the bill] would start to improve the overall aesthetic appeal of the islands,” said Concepcion.

The only drawback that Concepcion sees with HLB 20-14 is enforcement. He thinks the 60-day timeline provided by the bill upon the issuance of a violation notice is “difficult to enforce and difficult for residents to comply with all at one time.”

“Yes, the economy is getting better, but we do know that there are a few people out there that are still struggling, so we are concerned about those people as well,” he said.

A Koblerville resident, Jack C. Muña, spoke yesterday in support of HLB 20-14. According to him, there are several abandoned buildings on Saipan that are “neglected” and are “eyesores.”

“I keep inspecting those houses and there is a lot of trash thrown over there. [Delinquents] use the buildings as a meeting place and a gathering place,” he said, adding that he once found what he suspected were students who skipped school in one of the abandoned buildings.

“I emphasize that this bill is very important…[in order] for all of us to move forward as a healthy community,” he said.

The delegation’s Judicial and Government Operations, Tourism, and Health committees held the public hearing, with Reps. Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan), Joseph “Lee Pan” Guerrero (R-Saipan), and Janet Maratita (R-Saipan) chairing each committee, respectively.

“We would take into consideration the concerns of all the government agencies as well as the public,” said Guerrero, adding that the legislation has been in the works since the 18th Legislature.

“It is due time … that we have this bill in place,” he said.

According to Guerrero, several abandoned buildings have become breeding grounds for pests, vermin, and illegal activities.

“We need the entire community to be involved in this. We need to proactively start making changes and improve our surroundings,” he said, adding that tourists have been pointing out the unsightly lots.