By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

PRESS Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. yesterday said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial wants to meet with the Saipan Zoning Board to discuss the “obstacles” to the relocation of adult businesses from Paseo de Marianas in the Garapan tourist district.
A provision in the proposed Adult Business Zoning Act of 2006 seeks the closure or relocation of massage parlors in the area.
“The administration initially supported this position of relocating the adult business establishments elsewhere…but because we’re hearing some obstacles to that policy, the governor wants to know (about these obstacles) so we can come up with a good plan,” Reyes said.
He said the zoning board has reported that in the public hearings it conducted, “there was no show of strong support from the community to get these establishments out of Garapan especially in the Paseo de Marianas area.”
Before the governor took his medical leave in October, Reyes said their initial assessment showed widespread support for the relocation among the community and businesses.
“The governor wants to find out what these obstacles are and what happened to that initial support of the community. The governor is willing to lend his full support. If they need the support of the Legislature to change the policy, we can also do that,” the press secretary said.
Reyes said the zoning board believes that the economic slump has “influenced” the community not to urge the relocation of adult establishments in Garapan.
“In the past, we received numerous letters from parents and other members of the community about cleaning up the Garapan area…but in recent weeks, we don’t see that anymore because they are more concerned now about the economy,” Reyes said.
He added that Fitial is scheduled to meet with the zoning board today.
Isidoro T. Cabrera, a member of the zoning board, yesterday confirmed the governor’s concern about the possible abandonment of the relocation plan.
“The governor has some concerns and we would like to incorporate these in our plan,” Cabrera told Variety, adding that changes to the proposed zoning plan are “very likely.”
“All will depend on what the governor says during the meeting because there are areas that really need to be addressed. With the current economic status of the CNMI, everybody is more concerned now with how we are going to help revive our economy,” he said.