In an interview yesterday, Pangelinan, a former House member, secretary of Lands and Natural Resources and chairman of the Board of Education, said a majority of the CNMI’s local residents are opposed to the proposal.
“Nothing is more precious on this earth than treasuring what belongs to us,” Pangelinan said, adding that he also encourages the voters to study proposal themselves and make their own decision.
Locals, he added, should not allow an “external” group of people to decide for them.
Pangelinan said the CNMI government continues to maximize its effort in conserving its marine and terrestrial resources, and this, he added, shows the determination of the local people to cherish and protect their environment.
He recalled that during the 12th Legislature, he introduced the bill that became Public Law 12-51, which designated Bird Island, the Grotto and the Forbidden Island as conservation area.
As DLNR secretary, Pangelinan said he implemented regulations forbidding the use of certain nets in catching marine resources and even scuba fishing.
He did these, he said, because he had foreseen the critical areas in the CNMI that had to be protected.
“That’s how serious we are in conservation,” he said.
Pangelinan said he is against the monument proposal for several reasons.
First, he said the northern islands of Maug, Uracas and Asuncion have already been designated as a natural conservation area.
Moreover, he said, “we know definitely that the islands’ area ours,” and that disregarding what the locals have to say about the monument proposal “is very disrespectful.”
Pangelinan lauded the Legislature for opposing the proposal.
He noted, however, that “the water surrounding us is not ours” due to a federal court’s decision on submerged lands.
Pangelinan said he believes that “it is our birthright to own the water surrounding us.”
