Over 70 people showed up, and this allowed the House Committee on Natural Resources to also hear the sentiments of those who want to see power poles erected in the tourist site.
The Friends of Marpi and their supporters who testified at the first public hearing last week spoke in a more diplomatic tone this time, except for a few who were offended by those who questioned their sincerity.
Former Rep. Tina Sablan, in an interview after the public hearing, said she and other Friends of Marpi “sympathize with landowners there who want power and water.”
Ed Propst noted that all those who attended the hearing love Marpi, therefore “we are all friends of Marpi.”
He then urged everybody to give themselves a round of applause.
The important thing about this public hearing was that everybody came together to share ideas and find common ground, he added.
Although they appreciate the concerns of the Friends of Marpi, they are not the only people who care about the island, Zoning Board Chairman Diego Blanco said.
“This is our island, we care for it,” he added, saying that they who support the power poles also care about Marpi.
Blanco noted that there are landowners who need electricity in Marpi.
“Can the Friends of Marpi come face to face with these landowners and tell them they don’t deserve electricity?” he asked.
Susana B. Deleon Guerrero, president of the CNMI Women’s Association, said she does not see anything wrong with the power poles in Marpi.
She said the poles are actually for the protection of tourists — electricity will mean streetlights and water for restrooms and other facilities used by visitors in the area.
“Let us not blame the power poles for not having too many tourists today. We have been having less tourists coming even before those poles came up,” she said.
Former Speaker Oscar C. Rasa said the people who oppose power poles are not related to families who own lands in Marpi.
Local Republican Party Chairman Juan I. Tenorio said he share the sentiments of the 6,000 applicants waiting for their homestead lots for many years now.
He said he respects the Friends of Marpi, the bikers and the photographers who frequent the place “but I will not continue to compromise the livelihood of my children.” Homesteads, water and electricity, he said, are very important.
“Are we going to wait for years before our children can see development there?” he asked.
Former Sen. Herman R. Guerrero said families who will get homestead lots in Marpi someday will need power.
He urged everybody not to get “intimidated by a few who would not really stay on the island forever.”
Juan R. Camacho, one of the farmers in Marpi said he supports the power poles because he has a future property there.
Local lawyer Mike White said power poles supporters should not question his sincerity just because he was not born on island.
White spoke in Chamorro as he reminded lawmakers how long he has been living on island and how much he loves the island.
Ron Muna, for his part, said no one opposes electricity in Marpi, “but why not renewable energy? Why the power poles?”
He said he will someday own a piece of land in Marpi but he does not think he would need power poles there if there is a renewable energy system on the island.
Committee Chairman Joe Palacios, R-Saipan, said they will look for a federal grant that can fund an alternative means of providing power in Marpi.
“I hope that funding is available,” he said.
