ACTING Gov. Diego T. Benavente yesterday signed legislation that would fund the Marianas Visitors Authority’s promotional campaign.
House Bill 13-138, which appropriates $2.6 million to MVA, is now Public Law 13-16.
The new law will fund the administration’s CNMI Tourism Strategy Plan developed by MVA. It aims to bring in an additional 100,000 visitors by the end of this year.
The plan also targets the China and Korea markets.
“I congratulate the Legislature for its consideration of this critical piece of legislation,” Benavente said. “The funds appropriated to the Marianas Visitors Authority are a crucial element in this administration’s strategy to revitalize tourism industry,” he added.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota, said the bill’s passage is an “example of how the government is working for the people.”
“This shows that everything is possible within our means and how we as public servants can work for the good of the people,” he said.
The $2.6 million will be sourced from the Managaha landing fees established by Public Law 11-64, which has never been implemented.
The fees collected are still with the Marianas Public Lands Authority.
P.L. 13-16 appropriates a portion of the fund to assist MVA.
The bill was passed by the Senate with amendments yesterday at 11 a.m. Hours later, the House of Representatives passed the amended version which was then sent to Benavente who signed it later in the afternoon.
