Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, and Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan, voted against House Bill 17-32 which was introduced by Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan.
Reps. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, and Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan, abstained.
The bill will amend Public Law 13-40 which grants local farmers and ranchers a special water rate of 25 cents per one thousand gallons or $25 per month of water for agricultural use.
According to the bill, NMC-CREES helps local farmers improve their production.
Over the last several years, the bill stated, NMC-CREES provided many local farmers suitable crops.
These include the vetiver grass that helps farmers address erosion, taro varieties and the artificial insemination of cows that helps ranchers improve livestock production.
NMC-CREES, the bill added, also succeeded in addressing the farmers’ perennial problems regarding invasive species like the Cuban slugs and the scarlet gourd.
NMC-CREES gave many residents the chance to learn aquaculture, the bill stated.
Before the House voted on the bill, Dela Cruz expressed concern that giving a special rate to another group of water customers will result in other consumers paying more for it.
Dela Cruz said there are other ways to help NMC-CREES, so why do it at the expense of consumers?
But local agriculturist Isidoro T. Cabrera said they have been requesting CUC to allow NMC-CREES to pay a special water rate for a long time now.
He said the bill will also remind CUC about Public Law 13-40 which, he added, has never been really enforced.
NMC-CREES, he added, is running an experimental farm in As Perdido so it really needs a low water rate.
