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11/05/2025 - At Marianas Business Plaza’s Sabalu Market last Nov. 1, the mood was thick with apprehension as residents shopped for bargains amid the Commonwealth’s deepening financial troubles.
With her monthly budget squeezed by rising grocery prices, a mother of three said she recently sat her children down to talk about being more financially astute.
“Basically, you know, life is hard because our economy now is really down,” she said. “But for me, for us, with the family, I’ve talked to my kids about this one. Then we support each other that we need to cut down on our expenses. Whatever unnecessary things are not needed. If it's a want, then we should cut it down.”
Even with both parents working, she said her family has also become more conscious of conserving electricity and other household costs.
“Although both of us are working, it's really very hard, so we need to support each other. And then explain to the kids so they can understand the situation.”
A single mother shopping nearby shared a similar story. She said she now prioritizes paying her bills and has been forced to reduce the amount she sends home to relatives in the Philippines.
“You have to minimize that too, and as much as possible, you have to cut it and just send a little only,” she said. “You have to explain, you know that’s what we're experiencing all over the world, so we have to minimize our spending.”
A food stall owner at the Saturday market said the economic downturn has cost him not just income but customers.
“Many of our loyal customers have already left the island,” he said, adding that lower sales have forced him to halve his workforce—from six employees to just three.
Another resident said it’s heartbreaking to see the local economy in such dire straits.
“It's very difficult to kind of solve that problem,” he said. “So, the only thing here is just go forward and do something that is good for you and help people... [Everyone] should just get together with the family, and so, you know, help each other, do something.”
He said during the heyday of Japanese tourism, the CNMI was doing all right, but fast forward to 2025, and even the food stamps aren’t available due to the federal government shutdown.
Indeed, the CNMI’s challenges have only deepened. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was suspended this November amid a gridlock in the U.S. Congress over the fiscal year 2026 budget.
To make matters worse, Gov. David M. Apatang has been forced to impose tough austerity measures as the government runs out of funds.
Under Directive 2025-008A, issued last Oct. 30, all non-autonomous executive branch agencies—including the mayors’ offices—will shift to a shortened work schedule starting Nov. 18, 2025, for civil service employees and Nov. 30, 2025, for excepted service employees. The new hours will be from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, with the government remaining open through the lunch hour.
The order follows recommendations from the Office of the Attorney General and a revised FY 2026 budget bill amending Public Law 24-14, the Appropriations and Budget Act of 2026. Apatang also encouraged the autonomous agencies, Judiciary, and Legislature to adopt similar austerity policies.
The governor’s directive further requires agency heads to execute contract amendments by Nov. 7 to bring excepted-service employees under the reduced-hour system. Those who do not agree to the change may face termination notices by Nov. 10.
The directive stresses that essential services—particularly those tied to “public safety, health, and welfare”—must continue, but agencies are ordered to stay within their authorized budgets. No leave may be used to offset the loss of hours.
In addition to the shorter workweek, the directive includes sweeping cost-containment provisions that will remain in effect until lifted. These include restrictions on overtime, travel, contracts, leases, and subscriptions; the termination of nonessential phones and landlines; energy and fuel conservation; and tighter controls on utilities spending.
Apatang said the measures are necessary to ensure the Commonwealth meets its fiscal obligations and keeps the government running despite “unprecedented financial constraints.”
Report by Mark Rabago
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