DPL says only 3-4 public land lease applications pending, rejects claims of processing delays

The Department of Public Lands currently has only about three to four public land lease applications pending review, with Secretary Sixto K. Igisomar rejecting suggestions that DPL is responsible for delays in moving projects forward despite concerns raised by Sen. Corina L. Magofna about the CNMI's sluggish economic recovery.

In a phone interview with Marianas Press last week, Igisomar said the agency is processing applications as they come in and conducting the due diligence required under CNMI law and regulations. While Magofna, in a May 25 letter, urged DPL to expedite pending lease applications to spur economic activity, Igisomar said there is no backlog attributable to the department.

"If I'm not mistaken, there should be around three to four," Igisomar said when asked how many lease applications are currently pending before DPL. He added that one of the applicants is in the automotive industry but declined to identify the companies involved.

Addressing concerns about processing times, Igisomar said, "I would safely say, and in all fairness, there is no delay."

He explained that public land lease applications undergo a detailed review process involving multiple DPL divisions, including compliance, planning, and accounting. Applications are vetted for past compliance issues, land-use compatibility, financial capacity, and other requirements before any lease agreement is drafted.

"The processing timeline is not overnight," he said. "I can safely say it's not something where it's only within 30 days or within 60 days. It can take longer than that, depending on what we are facing."

Igisomar acknowledged that Super Typhoon Sinlaku temporarily disrupted government operations but said the storm should not be viewed as a reason for prolonged delays.

"There was no delay. Everything was just processed with the exception of a natural disaster that came into play," he said.

According to Igisomar, timelines vary depending on the complexity of the project and the preparedness of the applicant. A straightforward application with complete documentation can move quickly, while larger or more complex projects require more extensive review.

"If you do your homework, and you know everything, and you come in, and you submit an application that complies with every item on the checklist, and it looks good ... we can give you literally within 30 days," he said, noting that final approval also requires review by the Office of the Attorney General.

Responding to criticism that faster lease approvals could accelerate the CNMI's economic recovery, Igisomar questioned whether DPL is the bottleneck.

"So those are just perceived delays," he said, noting that several major public properties have been made available through requests for proposals but have attracted little or no investor interest.

He said DPL has been working with the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority, Marianas Visitors Authority, and Gov. David M. Apatang's administration to market available public lands and attract investment.

At the same time, Igisomar stressed that DPL cannot bypass statutory requirements or fiduciary responsibilities simply to speed up approvals.

"We are doing our due diligence. According to the regulations and statute, we are following it," he said. "Government is naturally—a government entity should be naturally risk-averse."

He added that DPL welcomes recommendations on improving efficiency but maintained that there are no lease applications stalled because the agency failed to act.

"There is no lease currently at DPL that is so slow and is not working because DPL slept on it," Igisomar said.

In her letter, Magofna argued that delays in approving land leases could be hampering economic recovery by postponing investment, job creation, and new business activity. She urged DPL to prioritize applications that are ready to move forward, saying the Commonwealth "cannot afford prolonged inaction while viable economic opportunities remain stalled."