HOUSE Bill 22-82, which proposes a master map for Saipan, requires more research, according to Matua Council for Chamorro Advancement President Liana S. Hofschneider.
The bill, authored by House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, would adopt the village delimitation and name master map for Saipan as the sole village delimitation and name master map of Saipan.
In addition, the bill designates the Office of the Mayor of Saipan to be the primary custodian for maintaining and preserving the master map with the Department of Commerce-Central Statistics Division as the secondary custodian.
Speaking in Chamorro during the public comments portion of last week’s Senate session, Hofschneider said the bill should be placed on hold until a historical heritage site commission can look into the naming and renaming of sites throughout the island.
Noting that the bill focuses on the delimitation or demarcation of villages, Hofschneider said research should be done on the “true names” of sites, prior to outside influence, including the Spanish colonial rule.
She said there is misinformation about the naming and renaming of Saipan’s historical sites and villages.
She added that to her understanding, the Saipan mayor’s office had been tasked with naming streets in order for the U.S. Postal Service to be able to make home deliveries.
She said the Department of Public Lands was likewise tasked with creating a geographic information system.
“The bill wants to create demarcation when the map is already done. We have to stop this public policy of backtracking… The municipality already did it, so why are we trying to legislate this?” she asked.
The standard village delimitation and name master map for Saipan identifies 34 village names: Marpi, As Matuis, San Roque, Tanapag, Wireless, Talofofo, Lower Base, As Mahetog, Sadog Tasi, Puerto Rico, As Teo, Kagman, Papago, Tapochao, Navy Hill, Garapan, Gualo Rai, I Liyan, Chalan Laulau, Oleai, Chalan Kiya, Kannat Tabla, San Vicente, Dandan, As Lito, Finasisu, Chalan Kanoa, Chalan Piao, As Perdido, San Antonio, Koblerville, I Naftan, Susupe and Capitol Hill whose actual name is Capital Hill.
Liana S. Hofschneider
