Marpi public cemetery in use by May

After sitting idle for three years, the $2.9-million Marpi public cemetery could finally be used starting in May.

This is just an example of projects whose maintenance and operations were not funded or planned for during or immediately after construction, but officials said yesterday the government won’t allow the still unused federally funded cemetery to go to waste.

Press secretary Angel Demapan confirmed yesterday that the public cemetery could be used as early as May. Gov. Eloy S. Inos hinted last week that more projects will roll out soon.

“There were lengthy discussions between agencies on the responsibility for operation and how the operations would be funded,” Demapan said.

Construction of the Marpi public cemetery using U.S. Department of the Interior funding through capital improvement project grant was completed in early 2011, three years ago. A year has passed since the media reported on the completed cemetery that at the time was already idle for two years.

As of yesterday, there’s no telling whether the opening of the new public cemetery would be marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony because of the nature of the project.

“Making this public cemetery operational is long overdue. …The government won’t let the property go to waste or deteriorate,” Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold I. Palacios told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

DLNR will be officially in charge of maintaining the new Marpi public cemetery, which is adjacent to the CNMI Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

DLNR, according to Palacios, has already been maintaining the Marpi public cemetery, specifically its Parks and Recreation and Agriculture divisions, which have the equipment and the manpower to do so.

“We are trying to make do with what we have. For fiscal year 2015, we’re planning on having $60,000 to $80,000 for the maintenance of the Marpi public cemetery alone. In the meantime, we’re also looking at whether the administration could reprogram funds, until the next fiscal year when it will be budgeted under DLNR,” said Palacios, a former speaker and now vying for a senatorial seat.

Under the governor’s budget, the Department of Public Works’ Grounds and Maintenance Division will be consolidated with that of DLNR’s Parks and Recreation Division and this will also help DLNR take on the additional task of officially maintaining the new public cemetery.

While the numbers are still being finalized, Palacios said the cost of each burial could be between $250 and $300, lower than the earlier estimate of $400. The government could partially subsidize the cost later, he added.

Demapan said the Division of Public Health “will take burial applications and collect fees.”

“Management of contract for openings and closings and grounds will be Department of Lands and Natural Resources,” he added.

A contract has yet to be awarded for the “opening and closing” of burial crypts.

Demapan said the government is considering sharing power for the Marpi public cemetery with the Veterans Cemetery, “but this is based on a generator.”

Palacios said “power should not be an issue” because of the generator available at the adjacent cemetery.

Regulations for the operation and maintenance of the public cemetery have yet to be finalized.

The new, non-denominational public cemetery in Marpi has 2,500 double crypts or double-stack occupancy crypts for a total of 5,000 burials. It has a potential to provide over 50,000 crypts for 33 years.

Under a 14-year-old law, upon completion of the Marpi Public Cemetery construction, there should no longer be burials at the Wireless Hill Public Cemetery on Capital Hill.

The law says “within 60 days of such closure,” the DPH secretary—now the CHC chief executive officer—shall submit an exhumation plan for the transfer of bodies to the Marpi Public Cemetery and anticipated related costs.”

No such exhumation plan for the bodies’ transfer has been submitted and the Marpi Public Cemetery has yet to open.