Teno okays improvement of tourist sites • MVA’s CIP projects to be included in priority list

While the Marianas Visitors Authority was not spared from the 13.4 percent budget cut this fiscal year by the Office of the Governor, it may just get its wish to include some $8.5 million of its infrastructure projects in the list of Capital Improvement Projects.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has pledged his support in assisting MVA to make sure that its various projects for the improvement of tourist sites are implemented.

“I understand perfectly well their situation and since tourism is our biggest source of income we will do everything to beautify the tourist sites,” said Tenorio.

With its $5.8 million budget for Fiscal Year 2000, MVA may not even be able to carry out a promotional campaign that will cover its alternative markets in Asia such as Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Rep. Oscar M. Babauta has already made a commitment to include the projects in the Commonwealth’s CIP list, which it will immediately match in the 702 Covenant funding.

Babauta, chair of the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, said he already sent a letter to Mike Sablan, special advisor on finance and budget, to make sure that the infrastructure projects of MVA are given priority.

He said he will even lobby for support from his colleagues who believe that the island’s tourism economy should be given priority to help it cushion the impact of the effects of Asia’s financial crisis.

While the Northern Marianas is experiencing a downtrend in visitor arrivals, Babauta said MVA must take this opportunity to enhance tourist sites in preparation for the influx of tourists onto the island.

MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio said there is no way the tourism agency could implement significant development on different tourist sites with the budget cut in FY 1999.

Based on the inventory of MVA, there are 11 projects on Saipan amounting to $3.5 million. These are tourist sites on Bird Island, Banzai Cliff, Grotto, Tapochau, Laulau Beach, Sugar King Park, Obyan Beach, Kalabera Cave, Suicide Cliff, Tank Beach, Ladder Beach and Japan Jail.

On the island-municipality of Rota, there are nine projects amounting to $2.7 million namely the Swimming Hole, Taga Quarry, Bird Sanctuary, Ginalangan Command, Sabana Peace Marker, Pona Cliff Park, Tonga Cave, Tweks. Beach and Guata Beach.

On Tinian island, 10 projects have been lined up amounting to $2.2 million located in Kammer Beach, Taga Beach, Suicide Cliff, Carolinas Overlook, Taga Well, Blow Holes and Lasareno Beach.