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DPL twits MVA for ‘unauthorized use’ of beach for pika festival
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Posted on Mar 06 2012
By Clarissa David
Reporter
Reporter
The Department of Public Lands has notified the Marianas Visitors Authority about its unauthorized use of Tachogna Beach for the 8th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival last Feb. 18 and 19.
Compliance Division director Raymond A. Cruz wrote to MVA managing director Perry Tenorio on March 1, saying that DPL does not have any record authorizing MVA to use Tachogna Beach, a public land on Lot No. 067701 in San Jose.
Cruz said this was discovered after conducting an audit on the temporary authorizations issued by the agency.
“Be advised that it’s mandatory to obtain a written authorization from the DPL prior to entering and using public land for any lawful purpose,” Cruz in a letter.
Cruz advised Tenorio that a request must be made to DPL’s Real Estate Division for “any future use of public lands for any lawful purpose.”
“The DPL’s Compliance Division staff will be monitoring this matter to ensure your future compliance with this notice,” added Cruz.
When asked for comment, MVA’s Tenorio told Saipan Tribune that DPL’s concern is something “new” to them since this is the first time they have been informed that a permit is needed when holding the Annual Pika Festival, which they have been organizing with the Tinian municipality the past eight years.
Tenorio assured, though, that MVA will obtain the public land use permit for subsequent festivals. Tinian Mayor’s Office’s Don Farrell concurred, adding that Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz is also communicating with DPL Tinian “to ensure compliance.”
Meanwhile, vendor sales for this year’s festival amounted to $13,086, which Tenorio said is 22 percent higher than last year’s sales.
“The increased participation by residents from neighboring islands was the reason cited for the increase in sales,” said Tenorio.
