THE Legislature’s bicameral committee reviewing Mariana Eland Corporation’s proposal to lease the former Mariana Resort & Spa property in Marpi has yet to make a decision, as it awaits the Department of Public Lands’ response to a request for additional information.
The Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development, and Workforce and the House Committee on Natural Resources are reviewing the land lease proposal submitted by DPL earlier this year.
The department is urging the Legislature to act promptly and exercise due diligence in reviewing Mariana Eland Corporation’s proposal to lease the 144.92-hectare property, which DPL has been spending between $22,000 and $25,000 per month to maintain and secure.
The joint committee conducted a series of public hearings last month.
In a WhatsApp interview on Tuesday, the joint committee’s co-chair, Sen. Corina Magofna, said they were still waiting for additional documents and information from DPL regarding Eland’s current financial condition.
“We anticipate receiving the documents and information by the end of this month. Once received, the committee members will review, then meet to discuss [the] next steps,” Magofna said.
Citing “unprecedented business losses,” Micronesia Resort Inc., a subsidiary of Eland Corp., implemented a reduction-in-force on May 21, 2025, and announced Kensington Hotel’s temporary closure from June 9 to July 6.
In an interview earlier this month, acting DPL Secretary Sixto Igisomar said that whether Eland can move ahead with its Mariana Resort lease proposal “is the question in everybody’s mind, and I’m trying to be cautious.”
He said he has met with the officials of Eland and has discussed with them the lease proposal. “We are fully aware of their position and what they are doing. So leave it at that.”
He said Eland has shared information with DPL and “we will use the information internally to make our decision.”
