Public Lands Secretary John Del Rosario Jr. made this “clarification” in light of House Legislative Initiative 16-8 that will authorize DPL to reserve 20 percent of its operational expenses to pay and satisfy land compensation claims.
“Land compensation is not part of the functions of DPL. It has never been and still is not,” Del Rosario said, adding that the function belongs to the Department of Public Works.
Del Rosario, in an interview, said DPL funds are for homestead development and “that’s the mandate of the Constitution.”
The legislative initiative, which was introduced by Vice Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, is a proposal to amend the Constitution and, if passed by the 3/4 vote of each house of the Legislature, still needs to be approved by voters.
DPL receives money from public land leases and permits, and these funds are transferred to the Marianas Public Land Trust.
H.L.I. 16-8, according to lawmakers, will “resolve the land compensation claims from numerous land owners who have been deprived of the use of their land for decades without just compensation.”
But Del Rosario said should the legislative initiative is ratified, “I’m going to take it to court because it’s unconstitutional.”
