Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, said his House Bill 17-171 will make the anti-littering law “work.”
Since its enactment in 1989, the law has not been enforced and many believe this is because it imposes a “heavy” fine.
Palacios said in drafting H.B. 17-171, he worked closely with the Division of Environmental Quality.
Rep. Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan, said it’s been 22 years since the enactment of the anti-littering law which has “failed” because the fine imposed is “unrealistic.”
The $25 fine proposed by H.B. 17-171 is workable. “Let’s get real,” he added.
DEQ’s anti-littering enforcers expressed support for Palacios’ bill.
They said it will be very easy for them to impose a $25 fine. The amount may be low but it will “hurt” the pockets of those caught and will provide a deterrence, they added.
Aside from DEQ’s eight litter control officers, the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Public Works have their own “litterbug busters.”
DEQ is in the process of hiring more litter control officers and will use local funds for its litter control program.
Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan, said enforcement is the problem and not the fine itself.
The island’s littering problem is getting worse, he added, citing the piles of garbage recently seen at the Paseo De Marianas and on the Tanapag beach.
It is a shame that small children ended up cleaning those area, he said.
Not too long ago, he added, officials of the Covenant Party were fined by the National Parks Services for littering during one of the political gatherings at American Memorial Park.
If the fine for littering will be reduced to $25 only, litterers can “buy their way out from their responsibility,” Dela Cruz said.
Tourism, he added, is the only industry the CNMI has and a clean environment is very important to keep it alive.
If the government will impose “lenient” rules just because it can’t enforce the ones already in place, “we are not moving on this issue,” he said.
Aside from Palacios and Basa, the other House members who voted in favor of the bill were Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan; Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan; Reps. Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan; Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan; Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan; and Ray A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan.
Reps. Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan, and Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan, also voted yes but “with strong reservation.”
Aside from Dela Cruz those who voted no were Reps. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan, and Tony P. Sablan, R-Saipan.
