Jess I. Wabol who was born and grew up on Anatahan, said he wants to see if the Northern Islands Mayor Office has a “master plan” that addresses resettlement issues, which include infrastructure development.
He also doubts if the mayor conducted a survey among former Northern Island residents, to ask them if they want to go back home.
Wabol said infrastructure has to put in place before anybody could come up with the idea of bringing people back to the Northern Islands.
Mayor Valentin I. Taisakan has requested lawmakers to pass a bill that will establish a village and agricultural homestead program for the northern islands of Agrihan, Alamagan, Pagan and Sarigan.
House Bill 16-146 was introduced last August by Rep. Justo C. Quitugua, D-Saipan. Its enactment will pave the way for the creation of a fourth senatorial district that will have three Senate and one House seat in the Legislature.
According to Wabol, even if the Northern Islands residents are awarded homestead titles, “what’s the guarantee they will come back there?”
Wabol said he is not going back to the Northern Islands.
Taisakan, in a separate interview said infrastructure has to be built first before allowing residents to return to the Northern Islands.
“But in reality, this is going to be a long shot due to lack of funding,” the mayor said.
Still, he added, the Northern Islands residents know what is best for them and are very familiar of the potentials of their islands.
It will not be difficult for them to cope with the lack of infrastructure, the mayor said.
He noted that some people are already residing on some of the islands.
“Let us not underestimate these people,” Taisakan said.
He is hopeful that the military buildup on Guam starts will “spill onto” the Northern Islands.
