THE Department of Public Lands is seeking the Legislature’s immediate action and due diligence in reviewing Mariana E-Land Corporation’s proposal to lease the Marpi property previously occupied by Mariana Resort & Spa.
Since it reverted to DPL upon the termination of its lease in June 2018, the 144.92-hectare property “has remained vacant and is slowly becoming dilapidated due to minimal maintenance of its facilities, equipment and landscaping,” DPL Secretary Teresita A. Santos told Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Senate President Dennis C. Mendiola in her letter last week.
She said DPL has spent “considerable time and effort” and continues to spend between $22,000 and $25,000 a month to maintain and secure the property.
Santos said E-Land intends to invest a minimum of $220 million in the renovation of existing structures and the improvement of the premises. The proposed lease agreement will allow E-Land to operate a hotel and golf resort for 40 years with a 15-year extension if approved by the Legislature.
She said E-Land agrees to pay an annual rate of 5% of the fair market value throughout the lease term, and a percentage of business gross revenue consistent with the rates required by DPL’s regulations.
In addition, E-Land will contribute over $4 million in public benefits, which include local employment and management training, a $2.5 million contribution to a homestead infrastructure project, $1 million for the repair and upgrade of an Olympic-size swimming pool, $400,000 for a baseball field and $2.8 million for an educational center for indigenous traditions and culture.
On Saipan, E-Land operates Kensington Hotel, Pacific Islands Club and Coral Ocean Resort.
“As you may know, the economy is experiencing a regression and we must act on every opportunity that will bring in new infusion of revenues and benefits to the CNMI,” Santos told the Legislature’s presiding officers. “It is with this that I seek your immediate action and due diligence to resurrect our submission for legislative review and approval of the lease proposal.”
In response to Santos’ letter, Mendiola issued a memorandum on Feb. 4, 2025, requesting Sen. Corina Magofna, the chair of the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Workforce, to deliberate on E-Land’s lease proposal.
“Given the importance of this matter, I trust that the Committee will undertake a thorough and diligent review of the [proposed] lease agreement and its implications,” the Senate president said. He also asked that the committee, as required by the Senate rules, provide a report detailing all actions taken within a specified time frame.
