By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE CNMI Nutritional Assistance Program is seeking an extension from the U.S. Department of Agriculture beyond the current seven-day Disaster NAP implementation window, according to Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Francisco Rabauliman.
In a brief interview Thursday morning at the NAP office in As Lito, Rabauliman said NAP Administrator Margaret Aldan and Administrative Services Supervisor Annie Reyes were in an online meeting with federal grantors to formally request the extension.
“They’re meeting with USDA right now,” Rabauliman said, adding that they hope to ease pressure on staff and applicants amid mounting public frustration over long lines, wait times, and delays in intake processing.
The local NAP office, which operates under DCCA, has not yet issued a public statement addressing concerns raised by applicants — many of whom have taken to social media to criticize the slow pace of intake and distribution.
A resident who requested anonymity told Variety that he waited in line for several hours on Tuesday only to be told he would need to return for an evaluation interview later. “It’s exhausting,” he said. “People just want clarity and a fair process.”
As of July 2, only 137 EBT cards had been distributed on Saipan, Variety learned. NAP employees at the distribution site have urged D-NAP applicants to pick up their EBT cards at the multi-purpose center as soon as they receive their NAP authorization card.
D-NAP is expected to reach a substantial portion of the remaining several thousand non-NAP households, though eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
On Tinian and Rota, the application period has been extended through June 29, 2026, giving residents additional time to apply. The original window on both islands was June 24–27.
Tinian and Rota EBT Benefit Deposit Schedule
July 1, 2026 — Case record IDs ending in 1 & 2
July 2, 2026 — Case record IDs ending in 3 & 4
July 3, 2026 — Case record IDs ending in 5 & 6
July 4, 2026 — Case record IDs ending in 7 & 8
July 5, 2026 — Case record IDs ending in 9 & 0
Benefits will be loaded onto EBT cards from July 1–5 and continue through July 18, 2026. D-NAP benefits will expire on Sept. 30, 2026, according to NAP.
On Saipan, intake was scheduled for June 30 to July 2 and will resume July 8–11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Applications, pre-screening, interviews, and eligibility determinations will be completed during these periods.
EBT card distribution for Saipan D-NAP recipients will take place July 1–2, July 6–10, and July 13–17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the multi-purpose center.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
