In an interview, Rasa said he will ask Pedro B. Camacho’s group to support a bill, which the former speaker will draft.
Rasa said the bill will offer an “immediate solution, safeguard public interest and ensure timely payments for landowners” whose land has been used for the construction of public infrastructure such as roads, utility systems or government offices.
Camacho, 62, is a resident of San Roque, and has two parcels of land in Achugao that the government used to construct a main road and power distribution line system without his expressed permission, legal transfer of deed of sale, and compensation to his family.
Camacho is inviting other landowners on island to join a group that will demand compensation from the CNMI government.
“Land payment is statutorily appropriated,” Rasa said, adding that the Department of Public Lands cannot use portion of its budget to compensate landowners.
He said DPL’s budget can be used for its operations and salaries of employees, and the unused funds are remitted to the Marianas Public Land Trust for its investment portfolio.
DPL has already told Camacho in a letter years ago that it has no funds to pay him for the public use of his land property.
“Maybe it’s time for the people to assert their [rights so their] issues can be resolved,” Rasa said.
Earlier Rasa said their indigenous group would draft legislation to help Camacho and other private landowners with similar issues.
Rasa said their group will submit to the Legislature the draft bill for review and consideration.
“Based on my understanding on land issues…the DPL secretary [John S. Del Rosario Jr.] is looking into all options and possibilities to resolve these land issues,” Rasa said. “Del Rosario is one of the most capable members of the [governor’s cabinet].”
