THE recent announcement that 25% benefit payments to CNMI retirees will cease after July 31, 2026 is very troubling and should alarm all of us. This is hitting retirees just as they struggle to recover from Super Typhoon Sinlaku and an economic downturn as costs for utilities, gas, and basic necessities continue to rise.
Compounding all of this is the slow pace of relief and support from our federal partners during this recovery process. Instead of expediting relief that our retirees need, they are told to be patient and to wait. On top of that, many vital programs in education, public health, and social services have been cut and only a few remaining resources are being released piecemeal on a very limited basis. This is hurting retirees and our entire community at a time when we need it the most.
I’m glad that Disaster Nutrition Assistance was approved by USDA-FNA, and I commend NAP Administrator Margaret Aldan, DCCA Secretary Frank Rabauliman, and the staff of the NAP office for doing the real work necessary to get food assistance for our people. It is just disappointing that it took this long for a federal agency to approve an essential service properly articulated by our local government officials. This is just the most recent example of slow federal response to the needs of the CNMI over the last two years.
As a candidate for delegate to the U.S. Congress, I don’t understand how a Republican Delegate cannot secure more aid and more support from a Republican House of Representatives, a Republican Senate, and a Republican White House. Just south of us, Guam’s Republican Delegate has been able to secure tens of millions of dollars in additional grants, military development, and economic aid. Why is the same not being done for the people of the CNMI? And what happened to all the federal funding for CNMI obligations that our Delegate promised back in October, when we were told that funding came with “conditions”?
Indeed, we don’t want a hand out, we need a hand up. However, instead, it seems all we’re getting are hand downs — table scraps from whatever’s left from the federal pie.
Our retirees deserve better than table scraps. They were public servants who helped build our Commonwealth during its formative years. And many of them continue to serve by taking care of grandkids, volunteering for churches and nonprofits, and sharing their wisdom with younger generations. We owe it to them to find a way to support them, just as they supported all of us and continue to support us.
That’s what I’m fighting for. It’s who I’m fighting for. I’m fighting for them. I’m fighting for all of us.
GALVIN S. DELEON GUERRERO
Candidate for Congress
