Leaders assert claim on promised Boy Scouts land
More than 18 years after they were promised a land on which to build the CNMI Boy Scouts’ defining purpose, group leaders still remember the vow they hope the present administration will fulfill for the islands’ male youths.
Boy Scouts Charter Representative for Pack 920 Augustin Flores reminded yesterday local leaders of a government pledge to apportion a parcel of public land solely for Boy Scouting.
In asking for an update on the status of the initiative, Mr. Flores expressed hopes leaders will come through before the incumbent administration takes its bow from office this year.
Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan explained that a public land on Tinian exists for youth activities including boy scouting endeavors.
The piece of property was part of a United States-Commonwealth agreement, reserved to accommodate youth-oriented programs such as camping.
According to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, a short overnight travel to the island of Tinian would be a good scouting experience for young boys especially as the sea trip now only takes less than an hour.
During his time, the local chief executive said his troop would cross the seas aboard a small boat for four hours for an overnight stay on the island.
“It was quite an experience,” Mr. Tenorio shared to boys and cubs scouts who came to visit him yesterday for the Boy Scouting Week proclamation signing.
The governor further assured steps are being done to designate a land that will better serve the purpose of boy scouting in the CNMI especially with the recent transition of the Office of Public Lands as an independent agency separate from the Dept. of Lands and Natural Resources.
“This would fast-track the process of land distribution. So we will closely look into that and meet with the public lands to address this issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Boy Scout official also proposed that a physical facility to be turned into a training center be established for the organization, where young boys can develop different practical skills. (MM)