By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

SAIPAN Mayor Juan B. Tudela has signed municipal bill that establishes neighborhood watches in villages.
The bill was passed by the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council whose authority to act on such bills is still questioned by some.
Tudela said he will make appointments to the neighborhood watch task force and notify other appointing authorities to make appointments too.
He told the council in a letter that he does not believe the new ordinance creates an unfunded mandate.
The funding for the activities of the task force “can be incorporated into the mayor’s annual budget,” he said.
Tudela said his office will incude the task force in its next annual budget submission.
The council composed of chairwoman Mariane DLG Tudela, Antonio M. Tudela and Angel S. Hocog passed Municipal Bill 9SMC-4RS-01 on Jan. 11.
They said the neighborhood watch task force will provide the local community with “enhanced safety, security and protection.”
The task force will “undertake necessary assessments, studies to develop action plans and the implementation of strategies in consultation with, and with the assistance of, appropriate local, state and federal government agencies and non-government organizations in devising a permanent neighborhood watch program in every precinct on Saipan.”
The Saipan mayor said he fully supports the bill to “fight” rising criminal activities on island, but Northern Islands Mayor Valentin Taisakan noted that the CNMI Constitution does not give the municipal councils the power and authority to enact ordinances.
The legislative delegations of Saipan, Tinian and Rota are already passing laws that affect their islands only.