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Saipan precincts to get $1M for community projects
Over $1 million will be appropriated to each precinct on Saipan, according to Rep. Lorenzo Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan).
House Local Bill 20-99 has been transmitted to the Governor’s Office and is just awaiting approval. The bill appropriates over $1 million to each of the five precincts on island.
Once the bill is approved, the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation will start appropriating funds to each precinct for much needed community projects, said Deleon Guerrero.
This bill will greatly impact Precinct 5 (Kagman) because, according to Deleon Guerrero, the funds will go to lighting the streets of Kagman and the restoration of pavilions.
“We will pursue street lighting system for the Kagman walk from Laolao Bay Golf & Resort to Kagman High [School] and stretching past Chacha Oceanview Middle School. Other projects include pavilions at Tank [Beach] and Forbidden Island Beach, renovation of Marine Beach facilities, and many more,” said Deleon Guerrero.
At the Kagman Community Park grand opening last Thursday, Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog suggested using some of the funds under H.L.B. 20-99 for the completion of Phase II of the park, with the decision lying in the hands of the representatives of the precinct.
According to both Deleon Guerrero and Rep. Francisco Aguon (R-Saipan), the park is a great investment for the community and a portion of the funding would definitely fund the completion of Phase II of the park.
“Once approved, the Saipan delegation shall appropriate funds dedicated for various precinct projects such as projects identified for Phase II of the Kagman People’s Park at Kagman Community Center,” said Deleon Guerrero. .
The funds to be appropriated to each precinct come from the Saipan casino’s business gross received tax.
According to Hocog, because the casino is now generating revenue, the tax collected from the casino produces a total of $15 million—$2 million will be appropriated to Rota and Tinian and $11 million will be appropriated to Saipan.
Hocog said that 25 percent of the funds appropriated to Saipan are reserved to pay off retirees’ pension and the left- over money will be divided among the precincts.
