With Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez absent, all the 19 House members voted yes to H.B. 17-43.
Introduced by Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, the bill will create the office of transit authority within the office of the governor.
The transit authority office will formulate goals and objectives for a public transportation system; develop a public transportation system; seek, identify and apply for federal funds; implement public transportation policies, recommend necessary changes in CNMI law; procure public transportation vehicles, equipment and supplies; employ support staff; and submit an annual report to the governor and the presiding officers of the Legislature pertaining to public transportation programs and operations.
Yumul said without an adequate transportation services in the community, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and indigent individuals cannot easily access the job market, medical services, educational and recreational institutions.
Thomas J. Camacho, the governor’s special assistant for disabilities policy and programs, expressed support for the bill, which now goes to the Senate.
In an interview, Camacho said the transit authority will allow private vendors to carry out public transportation. This, he added, will create jobs and new business opportunities.
The type of vehicles the CNMI government would recommend are those that are environment-friendly and energy efficient, he added.
Pamela Sablan, executive director of the Council for Developmental Disabilities, said public transportation will bring people to places and help them do their jobs.
John Gonzales, the executive director of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, said public transportation will address the needs of those living in remote areas.
The people there, particularly the youth, usually fail to attend community events due to lack of transportation, he added.
Now that the gas prices are going up again, this problem will get worse, he said.
“So let us help people once and for all,” he added.
