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MPLA commissioner given more authority
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Posted on Apr 15 2005
The Marianas Public Lands Authority board of directors has given the commissioner greater authority over signing all MPLA documents.
The MPLA board of directors adopted earlier this week a resolution that delegates the commissioner to review and sign all MPLA documents, for accuracy and completeness, subject to the approval of the board chair.
These documents cover all contracts, leases, assignments, and permits, among others.
“Under the current practice, all [MPLA documents] are not reviewed and signed for accuracy and completeness by the commissioner before or after the documents are forwarded to the chairperson and legal counsel for signatures,” a portion of the resolution read.
The board said that delegating the commissioner to review and sign the documents would “allow MPLA to effectively and efficiently carry out its duties and responsibilities while protecting the board.”
The MPLA board has also authorized the commissioner to grant one-year extensions to the compliance period given to a village homesteader whose residence is substantially damaged or destroyed by a typhoon or other natural calamity.
Under the law, a homestead recipient is required to complete a three-year homesteading period before he or she can receive a compliance certificate and quitclaim deed.
A homesteader should have built a house and occupied it within the two years after the homestead permit is issued. The law also requires the homesteader to continue occupying that house throughout the third year. (Agnes E. Donato)
