Babauta to Pagan proponents: Support PSS

House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta threw his support yesterday behind the newly formed partnership between J.G. Sablan Rock Quarry Inc. and Bridgecreek International Corp. on the Pagan mining project.

Babauta, who will meet with visiting Bridgecreek officials today, said he is pleased with the joint venture between the Los Angeles-based company and Saipan’s J.G. Sablan.

“I certainly hope that this project will be successful and it will bring additional revenues to our CNMI government and our community and help boost our ailing economy as soon as possible. We definitely need new and additional sources of funding to enable us to continue providing essential public service,” Babauta said.

However, the House speaker requested the new business partners to comply with all requirements set by CNMI and federal regulatory agencies, and to create a special account for the Public School System.

In the process of constructing the necessary facilities and infrastructure for the mining project, J.G. Sablan and Bridgecreek must ensure compliance with all the terms and conditions set by the Coastal Resources Management and other permitting agencies, as well as all applicable CNMI and federal laws, Babauta said.

“Only then can we ensure the continued protection and preservation of the beautiful environment of Pagan and the Northern Islands,” he said.

He also urged J.G. Sablan and Bridgecreek to consider making PSS a direct beneficiary as soon as the mining project begins to generate revenue.

“I would like to personally impress upon the companies involved in this joint venture to seriously consider this recommendation in light of PSS’ dire need for additional financial resources to provide our students with basic school needs, instructional materials, and infrastructure development,” the speaker said.

He will raise these issues when he meets with Bridgecreek officials this afternoon, he said.

J.G. Sablan, which has held a Pagan mining permit for the past 10 years, recently entered into a partnership agreement with Bridgecreek, which is primarily in the real estate business.

J.G. Sablan president John T. Sablan had announced that Bridgecreek chairman Frank Jao and chief executive officer John Carlson would visit Saipan to officially open an office with the local company.