These residents want to own the lands they occupied before they were relocated to Saipan due to natural calamities in the Northern Islands, he said.
The Northern Islands had over 130 voters in the last elections, almost all of them residing on Saipan.
“You and I would agree that it has been decades that these people from the Northern Island have waited for that shot in getting titles or quitclaim deeds to lands they occupied,” the mayor told DPL Secretary Oscar M. Babauta.
Aldan said he believes it is now time for DPL to take necessary steps to address the concerns of the Northern Islands residents.
He said his office is ready to assist DPL in gathering the necessary requirements to accommodate his constituents.
The mayor’s office can help get the affidavits, sketch of the area occupied, length of time the land was occupied and witnesses to certify their occupation of the lands being claimed, he said.
Aldan is also requesting for a list of claimants submitted to DPL.
“This information would help us start putting the necessary documentation together for DPL’s review and disposition,” he said.
Aldan, in an interview, said his office is only invoking the law that establishes a village and agricultural homesteading program in the Northern Islands.
Public Law 16-50 states that residents of the Northern Islands, either currently residing or have resided in the Northern Islands, are still without deed or title to the property they have lived on for decades.
“It is in the best interest of the commonwealth that any person who are qualified to receive homestead lot, and express interest to reside in the Northern Islands should be allowed to apply and receive a village lot and agricultural lot homestead permit,” the law stated.
