Sablan, Cepeda confirmed to serve as Zoning Board members

The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation confirmed yesterday the appointment of Stephen P. Sablan and Charlotte P. R. Cepeda to serve as members of the Commonwealth Zoning Board.

All 19 SNILD members present at a session voted “yes” to a motion to adopt the SNILD Judiciary & Government Operations Committee’s report that recommends the confirmation of the appointment of Sablan and Cepeda.

Senate President Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) chairs the SNILD JGO Committee.

During the public comments portion of the session, Oscar M. Babauta, who is the special assistant for the Palacios-Apatang administration, thanked DeLeon Guerrero for conducting a swift confirmation hearing for Sablan and Cepeda.

Babauta noted that in the transition report, there are findings and recommendations that need to be resolved so the people can once again take a deep breath primarily towards the business sector.

“We need a rapid turnaround of services arising out of this office,” said Babauta, referring to the Zoning Board.

He underscored the importance of having Sablan and Cepeda as new board members to seriously look and review Zoning policies so once and for all the people in the community can see some changes in the environment of the Zoning office itself and thus having to have expedient services.

Babauta said the administration expressed gratitude for Sablan and Cepeda for accepting the call and request of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang to serve the people.