Department of Public Lands officials led by Secretary Teresita Santos, inset, appear before the House Ways and Means Committee during a budget hearing Monday.
THE Department of Public Lands is proposing a $5.56 million budget for fiscal year 2025, the same amount that Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has submitted for DPL. In FY 2024 or the current fiscal year, DPL was allocated $4.96 million.
The funding source of DPL’s budget is revenue from public land leases.
During the budget hearing conducted by the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, DPL Secretary Teresita A. Santos said 58% or $3.2 million of their budget proposal will go to personnel, the number of which went down by three. The remaining 41% or $2.29 million is for operational expenditures plus the 1% allocation for the Office of Public Auditor “to ensure accountability and transparency in our financial practices.”
Santos said DPL’s planning division requires two all-terrain vehicles to navigate “the challenging terrains” on Rota and Tinian. She said $119,587 has been allotted to this “vital homestead initiative.”
Santos said investments in equipment and maintenance are also critical components of their budget. DPL is seeking $225,000 for the acquisition of a new boat to replace their old one, “thereby reducing repair cost and enhancing the safety of Managaha rangers.” Additionally, DPL allocated $25,000 for advertising new and renewed leases, “which is essential for generating revenue.”
Santos said their budget for professional services stands at $683,000. Of this amount, $110,000 will go to legal services and $40,000 for Northern Island projects. DPL also allocated $75,000 for a mandated single audit and $275,000 for updating the land-use plan, a requirement every five years.
DPL’s office rentals are another necessary expense, Santos said. On Saipan the department’s rent amounts to $194,000 per annum; on Rota it’s $18,000; and on Tinian, $12,000.
In addition, DPL allocated $255,000 for the maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment. Of this amount, $150,000 will be for the upkeep of the Managaha generator and reverse osmosis system with 50% of the total cost reimbursed to Marianas Global pursuant to a master concession agreement.
Public land revenue
Santos said in FY 2025, Saipan is projected to generate $5.321 million in public land revenue — an increase of over $600,000 from FY 2024. Rota, she said, is expected to generate $56,110 in FY 2025. In FY 2024, the public land revenue on Rota was $41,100. She said Tinian is projected to collect $188,272 in public land leases in FY 2025. She said this projection is lower than the FY 2024 revenue as a result of the termination of the Alter City land lease.
She said DPL has also secured several federal grants for critical projects. These include:
1) $226,052 for the Managaha pier safety railing project.
2) $323,026 for the revegetation of quarries with native vegetation.
3) $97,725 for the agricultural homestead program land survey initiative in the Northern Islands.
Furthermore, she said $1 million in capital improvement project funds was secured through the effort of U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan for the As Gonno homestead subdivision, as well as $3.8 million for the West San Jose power line and water line on Tinian, and $874,330 for a water line project at a Rota homestead subdivision.
She said these federal grants “are strictly designated for these respective projects and cannot be diverted for DPL personnel.”
“I implore you to approve this strategically prepared budget,” she told lawmakers. “It is imperative for the continued success of operation and integrity of the department. Your support will ensure that we can effectively manage and protect our public lands for the benefit of our [people of Northern Marianas descent] and the CNMI,” Santos added.
The committee was in the middle of asking questions when the power went out, prompting the chairman, Rep. Ralph N. Yumul, to end the hearing and reschedule it for next week.
