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Farmers get $200K assistance, others get $400K
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Posted on Mar 02 2005
Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed yesterday a local bill appropriating $600,000 for farmers and the construction of the Arts Council and Culture Gallery Office, among others.
House Local Bill 14-48, which becomes Saipan Local Law 14-17, allots $200,000 to defray the costs that local farmers and fishermen sustained during typhoons Tingting and Chaba.
A portion of the amount would also be used for the eradication of rats that have infested Saipan farms.
The law further provides that $10,000 shall be reserved for betel nut pest control.
Agriculture consultant Isidoro Cabrera said during yesterday’s media briefing at the Governor’s Office that the fungus phytophtora meadi has now infected some 1,000 betel nuts trees on Saipan.
He said the bud rot disease has spread to betel nut trees in Papago, Kagman, and Tanapag.
Cabrera said farmers are still awaiting approval from the Division of Environmental Quality for the use of Kocide 4.5LF fungicide.
Meantime, the new law appropriates $200,000 for the renovation and construction of the Old Garapan HeadStart for the CNMI Council for Arts and Culture Gallery Office.
Other funds shall go to the construction of three canoe houses ($100,000), Youth Indigenous Cultures, Arts, and Language Program ($50,000), and public sculptures ($50,000).
“The administration considers these projects to be of utmost importance for Saipan and the people of the CNMI,” said Babauta in his transmittal letter addressed to Saipan and Northern Islands legislative delegation chair Sen. Pete P. Reyes.
The bill, authored by minority bloc congressman led by Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, said the $600,000 shall come from the Managaha Island Land User Fee Trust account.
