He said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos continue to review budget figures to help find common ground for the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The new budget must be sound and balanced “so we can get the people back to work.” Demapan said.
“Passing an imbalanced budget would only result in a governor’s veto that will prolong the shutdown,” he added.
“It is a sad day to see that we have come to this point. But we have to abide by the CNMI Constitution,” Demapan said.
The governor submitted his budget proposal to the Legislature last April.
“We are doing the best we can and we feel for the people who have to stay home,” Demapan said.
Some cabinet members reported for work on a voluntary basis.
There will be no retroactive pay for cabinet members whose departments are not considered essential.
Asked about the issue of the separation of powers, Demapan said the CNMI is under a state of emergency.
“During a state of emergency, there is only one power and that is the governor,” he said.
The Constitution, he added, is also very clear that the legislators’ salary “shall be suspended” during the shutdown.
Federal programs
The agencies or programs fully funded by federal money remain open.
But some agencies get federal and local funding, and if they are not on the list of essential services they cannot open.
The Workforce Investment Agency and the Aging Center were not exempted from the shutdown because some staffers and their utilities are paid with local funds, the administration said.
Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, in a statement, said the shutdown “is a local matter, which can only be resolved by the Legislature and the governor. I hope that resolution comes quickly because whether they resolve this matter today, or tomorrow, they will need to resolve it. So they might as well do it today.”
He added, “We must all be concerned, however, about the health and safety of the people of the Northern Marianas. During this time, our office will work with other federal agencies to make certain that federal programs operating in the CNMI continue and if federal assistance becomes necessary to assure that the people are protected, our office will take the appropriate action to enlist federal aid.”
U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas,Tony Babauta, in a separate statement, expressed his concern “with the disagreements between the CNMI House and Senate over approving a balanced budget…. I am confident that the governor will ensure that all essential services to protect the safety and welfare of CNMI residents will remain undisrupted. During this time, my office will work with other federal agencies to make certain that federal programs operating in the CNMI continue. I am hopeful that a practical resolution can be reached promptly.”
