House OKs bill to increase Rota, Tinian’s share in MVA trust fund

The House passed a bill that aims to increase Rota and Tinian’s share in the Marianas Visitors Authority’s trust fund. Rep. Glenn L. Maratita (R-Rota)’s House Bill 20-4 would remove the limits on the amount given to Rota and Tinian from the MVA trust fund.
Rota and Tinian receive no more than 2 percent or $400,000 per fiscal year from the MVA trust fund. The amount is equally divided between each municipality. The money must be used to implement charter flight tourist incentives and other promotional tourism programs.

HB 20-4 has determined that a cap has been placed on the money from the MVA trust fund that’s used for tourism promotion on Rota and Tinian. Maratita’s bill would remove that cap and increase both municipalities’ share of the MVA fund.

“The purpose of the amendment is to eliminate the cap so that funds available for tourism promotion in the municipalities of Tinian and Rota can increase as the MVA trust fund grows as the result of expanded tourism activity,” said Maratita, who is the 20th Legislature’s House floor leader.

Vice Speaker Janet U. Maratita (R-Saipan), however, believes that more funds should be given to Saipan since this is the point of entry of tourists before they go to other islands.

She clarified that she’s not against HB 20-4 but “Saipan is the capital and this is where tourists arrive first. …Why not look for other funding sources to help Tinian and Rota with their tourism programs?” she asked.

She added that funds should be allocated to help San Antonio in keeping the village clean while improvement and other repairs are also needed at Ladder and Obyan beaches, and Banzai and Suicide cliffs.
 
Issues cleared
House Commerce and Tourism committee chair Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero (R-Saipan), whose committee recommended the bill’s passage, said that all issues and other concerns have already been addressed.

“The bill would give Tinian and Rota the chance to address their issues with tourism enhancement. We’re hoping that the mayors would use the money for the purpose of improving the sites in their respective municipalities,” said Guerrero.

He believes the 2 percent share is not enough. “That’s only shortchanging both senatorial districts when you talk about tourism enhancement. We should consider looking at it closely so we can really assist both districts when it comes to improving their tourist sites.”

“I think it is time that we address their needs. I think the MVA is also responsible with this since they are the ones that market the CNMI. …When you rebrand [the CNMI] as The Marianas, that includes Tinian and Rota. That’s why we should provide funding for their tourism-related programs.”

Guerrero said that Maratita’s concerns in developing the southern part of Saipan have already been raised with former MVA managing director Perry Tenorio and his successor, Chris Concepcion.

“The [current] managing director said they are already studying how to improve the Ladder Beach area where they plan to put up a fence so no tourist could just fall off. It is also important to put security personnel there to keep the place safe.”

 “I hope they could also at least improve the roads there, even though they are not the agency responsible to fund them. We should all work together and meet halfway,” added Guerrero.