Give NMDs a reason to stay

Recently an individual expressed sentiments strongly opposing the repeal of Article 12. I believe there is a real fear factor that as stated in the letter to the editor: “If Article 12 is abolished, allowing non-NMDs to buy our land, where will we NMDs go? Will we be reduced to a wandering people, without land, and without a home?” This seems to imply that if Article 12 is abolished, all our land will be sold to non-NMDs. Is this true? (Are we really saying that after 25 years we are still unprepared, uneducated, and unable to make our own decisions about our personal property?)

I would like to offer my thoughts to those who may share the same concern. The Citizens for Change of Article 12 researched the percentage of land in the Northern Mariana Islands that is private land. Only about 22 percent of the land in the CNMI is privately owned. This means that approximately 78 percent belongs to the government or to the people of the CNMI. Repealing Article 12 will not mean that we will lose “the only home we’ve ever known.”

Of the 22 percent of privately owned land in the CNMI I am certain that not all the landowners would even consider selling their land. Thus Article 12 affects a relatively small percentage of the total land area in the CNMI. Again, repealing Article 12 will not force anyone to sell their land. This is important for all of us to remember. NMD landowners who want to keep their land in their family will do so. NMD landowners who would rather sell to another NMD will do so. What is important is that private landowners will have the freedom to decide what they want to do with their personal possession-their land.

As the president of Citizens for Change of Article 12, I would like to emphasize that our group has studied and discussed Article 12 for a very long time. We are comprised of locals who care deeply about the CNMI. At one of our meetings a guest brought out a very important point, which is that if we really want to keep our people here (and people are the culture) then we must give them something to want to make them stay here such as jobs and opportunities. Many locals have left our islands and they will continue to do so, not because they don’t have land but because they don’t have opportunities. In a sense NMDs will become “a wandering people” seeking a better life elsewhere.

Let’s repeal Article 12, welcome investors, and allow private landowners to decide for themselves what they want to do with their land.

I welcome comments and concerns from the community regarding Article 12.

Efrain F. Camacho
Navy Hill, Saipan