THE Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation on Thursday unanimously passed local bills appropriating pachinko slot and poker fees, bond interest, and leftover funds from the exclusive casino license fee that Imperial Pacific International paid in 2019.
Authored by Rep. Manny Gregory T. Castro and co-sponsored by Reps. John Paul P. Sablan, Blas Jonathan Attao, Angelo A. Camacho, Marissa Flores, Malcolm Omar and Ralph N. Yumul, House Local Bill 23-21 appropriates $4,026 in pachinko slot and poker fees and $40,334 in exclusive casino license fee for the Vicente “Pacho” Masga Sablan Susupe Beach Park for the following:
— the repair and replacement of plumbing fixtures, and water and sewer lines in the amount of $16,525.
— the removal and replacement of electrical wiring, lights and receptacle outlets at beach pavilion for $5,356.
— the demolition of an old wall and the construction of a concrete roof slab for $22,479.
Authored by Rep. Roman C. Benavente, and co-sponsored by Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, House Floor Leader Edwin Propst, Reps. Vincent S. Aldan, Diego Vincent Camacho, Attao and Marissa Flores, H.L.B. 23-25 re-appropriates a total of $394,500 in exclusive casino license fee, and $190,400 in capital improvement project bond interest for the repair of Obyan Road and various other Saipan projects.
Co-authored by Castro and Sablan, H.L.B. 23-27 re-appropriates $90,000 in exclusive casino license fee as follows:
— $50,000 for the relocation, construction and maintenance of a container restroom at Sugar Dock beach.
— $25,000 for the installation of street lights and a public address system in Precinct 2 recreational areas and roadways.
— $15,000 for the Marianas Racing Association.
The Saipan lawmakers came up with the local appropriation bills after the Department of Finance certified that there was still a balance of over $1 million in exclusive casino license fee that IPI paid in 2019.
The local bills now head to the governor.
Manny Castro
