By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang last week approved House Local Bill 24-34, establishing the Saipan Economic Incentive District.
Co-authored by Rep. Angelo A. Camacho, House Floor Leader Marissa Flores, Rep. Vincent R. Aldan, Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao, Rep. Joel Camacho, and Rep. John Paul Sablan, H.L.B. 24-34 is now Saipan Local Law 24-18.
The law defines the district boundaries using four key coordinates:
N55705.5173, E50618.9625 — along Micro Beach Road to the Middle Road intersection at Northern Marianas Housing Corp.
N55108.0144, E51502.776 — blocks west of Middle Road down to the intersection of Kopa Di Oru Street.
N53966.1916, E51042.0748 — extending south to the Garapan Fishing Base on Beach Road.
N53976.6522, E50652.9036 — completing the perimeter.
These coordinates define the Saipan Economic Incentive District, which the Department of Public Lands is now required to maintain in coordination with the Economic Incentive Authority and the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.
EIA, in consultation with SNILD and DPL, shall develop and implement a fair, transparent, and objective process by which privately owned property adjacent to the district may be incorporated upon petition by the property owner.
The legislation aims to clearly define the district by law and assign administrative responsibility to CNMI’s existing economic, land, and environmental agencies. By establishing fixed boundaries, the CNMI strengthens predictability for investors, safeguards constitutional land protections, and provides a framework that balances development with responsible governance for the benefit of residents in the Third Senatorial District, which is Saipan and the Northern Islands.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
