Of the 10 islands north of Saipan, only three — Pagan, Alamagan and Agrigan — have been inhabited by locals, most of whom are Carolinians.
Northern Islands Mayor Tobias DLC. Aldan, in his proposed budget submission to the Legislature, said he has a plan to further develop agriculture in the islands, adding that he believes this the key to permanent resettlement.
Agriculture is one of the five core industries that the two-day economic restoration summit will discuss this week as a viable economic activity for financially strapped commonwealth.
Pagan is the kick-off point for Aldan’s plan. Initially, seven residents who temporarily lived on Saipan have been transported to the volcanic island recently.
Led by Santiago F. Castro, these residents have started planting a variety of seasonal crops provided by Aldan’s office. They are also now raising farm animals like cows, goat, pigs and chicken.
Aldan said these activities will make the Northern Islands’ people self-sufficient. He does not want his constituents, who number about 172, to rely forever on the CNMI government which has very limited financial resources.
Like Aldan, the past mayors of Northern Islands looked at the ways Pagan, Alamagan and Agrigan could contribute to the CNMI economy and agriculture, right now, seems to be the most viable industry there.
Aldan said Pagan, Alamagan and Agrigan have “hardworking and dedicated people working together for vibrant and progressive islands in the north where family, community and diversity are embraced.”
His office, he added, “exemplifies commitment, innovation, responsiveness, team work and leadership” so it can achieve its goal “to make the Northern Islands a greener pasture to its own people.”
Development plan
Aldan said he has been working hard to come up with a development plan for the Northern Islands.
First and foremost in this plan is the resettlement of over 100 residents on Pagan, Alamagan and Agrigan and perhaps other local people who wish to live on those three islands.
The mayor’s representative on Pagan is Castro; on Alamagan, Jesus C. Santos; and on Agrigan, Vicente L. Mettao.
Once the population on those three islands reaches 1,000, Aldan said the Northern Islands will be the CNMI’s fourth senatorial district. Right now, Northern Islands and Saipan comprise the third senatorial district.
The second priority in Aldan’s development plan is transportation. The air strip on Pagan, according to the mayor, needs immediate improvement.
His office is seeking funding to level the airfield on Pagan so that it will again become accessible to airplanes.
Ocean travel, which is also the key to frequent trips to the Northern Islands, requires considerable funding, Aldan said.
Included in his plan is the homestead program which the Department of Public Lands recently said is now ready to implement.
DPL Secretary Oscar M. Babauta, during last week’s meeting with lawmakers, said his department is now working on an official declaration of Pagan as “habitable” over three decades after its volcano erupted.
Also part of the mayor’s plan is commercial activity.
Aldan said he is working on an economic strategy to entice investments to the three Northern Islands.
Because agriculture is seen to be the major revenue generating activity there, crops like sweet potato, fruits and livestock will be the islands’ main products that can be transported to Saipan, he added.
He did not mention where the cash-strapped CNMI government can get the funding needed for his plan.
