Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said the new law will also enable the Northern Islands residents with homestead permits to avail of housing loans to build a safe, decent and sanitary home for their families.
Former Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan; former House Minority Leader Oscar M. Babauta, Covenant-Saipan; and former House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, sponsored House Bill 16-146 now known as P.L. 16-50.
Indigenous Chamorros and Carolinians settled on the islands north of Saipan, now known as the Northern Islands, prior to the occupation of the Northern Marianas by the Spaniards, Germans and Japanese.
Their descendants have continued to live on their ancestral lands but some still don’t have a deed or title to their occupied land.
The new law will now legalize their ownership to the property through the establishment of the village and agricultural homestead program in the Northern Islands through the Department of Public Lands’ management.
“It is in the best interest of the commonwealth that residents of the Northern Islands who meet the requirements of the Homestead Waiver Act be issued deed and title to the properties they have lived on for decades by the Department of Public Lands,” part of the new law said.
The remote location of the islands north of Saipan makes it more difficult for its residents to communicate or commute to the main island, thus, the homestead development in the area would be very helpful to them.
DPL is tasked to establish the eligibility criteria for applicants to the village and agricultural homestead program in the Northern Islands.
These include: proof that the applicant is of Northern Marianas descent; must be 18 years old or older; have not received prior homestead lot in the commonwealth; must be presently residing in the Northern Islands for at least a year; and is registered to vote there at least three years immediately prior to applying.
The new law mandates the government to provide roadways, housing and facilities for utilities within the homestead village that will soon be created in the Northern Islands.
