Embedded Files
10/21/2025 - U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Angel Demapan officially informed CNMI Governor David Apatang of the $5.7 million in federal support for government programs and services in a letter dated October 17, 2025. He said the award comes from Climate Change Technical Assistance related to Climate Change Resilience.
$412,500 was granted for October operational costs. “ Subject to the availability of funds, and at my discretion, further funding under this agreement will be advanced for the months of November and December. The funds will be issued according to the timing and purpose indicated in the included documentation, unless otherwise agreed to by the Office of Insular Affairs,” Demapan wrote.
He added, “Per the terms and conditions included with the grant award, the CNMI Government shall develop and submit to OIA a framework to sustainably balance the CNMI’s budget through reforms which both save money and increase revenues. The framework is due no later than November 30, 2025, and the implementation of the plan is to begin no later than January 1, 2026.”
In a social media post yesterday, Congresswomen Kimberlyn King-Hinds said it is a victory for the CNMI given then difficult environment in Washington, D.C. “Outside of the pandemic or a natural disaster like a typhoon, getting a cash infusion for government operations just does not happen. It just does not happen,” she said as the federal government shutdown continues.
In a September press conference at the governor's office where the federal funding support was announced, it was disclosed that the first tranche of relief has been identified for the CNMI's first-quarter needs, including utilities, medical referrals, inmate care, and partial pension support.
Report by Thomas Manglona II
Report abuse