THOMAS J. Camacho, former director of the Division of Parks and Recreation, praised Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider and 12 other House members for pre-filing H.B. 13-83, which would help the Marianas Visitors Authority focus its efforts on promoting and marketing the CNMI by transferring its field operations division to Parks and Recreation.
“I highly support the legislative findings and the passage of such legislation for the good of our people, residents and economic situation,” said Camacho in his letter to Hofschneider, R-Saipan.
Camacho also urged the speaker to include a provision in the bill that would transfer all recreation land jurisdiction under the Marianas Public Lands Authority to Parks and Recreation.
He said the transfer of public lands for recreation and park would shield the properties from being “taken away for private development purposes.”
“At this time, our designated public parks are like a bank waiting to be leased out anytime because there’s no grant of public domain to (Park and Recreation),” he said. The transfer of each government or public property lies within the jurisdiction of MPLA as authorized under the Constitution, he said. But Article 11, section 5(b) authorizes MPLA to transfer public land to other government agencies for public purposes, he added.
