By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Public School System may have to rebid the construction phase of Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School if the contractor, CJ Innovation, fails to meet the deadline to complete the architectural and engineering design of the new campus. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2026.
Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the $21.5 million design-build project consists of three components with separate funding allocations: the demolition of the damaged school building, which was completed in October; the architectural and engineering design of the future campus; and the actual construction.
The design and build phases were contracted to CJ Innovation Co. Ltd., while the demolition of the old and dilapidated school building was sub-contracted to FSM Recycling Saipan Inc.
Of the $21.5 million funding for the project, around $2 million was allocated for the design and demolition phases. The remainder is designated for constructing the new school building, which was heavily damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018.
In an interview Wednesday, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho said PSS may have to rebid the construction phase if contractual issues are not resolved. He declined to provide full details but said certain provisions of the construction-phase contract have not yet been delivered.
He emphasized that FEMA funding for the entire project remains intact. “The funding is not lost; it is intact. It is what we are going to use when we rebid the project,” he said.
In a separate interview, Patrick Guerrero of the Public Assistance Office, who serves as the governor’s authorized representative to FEMA, said the demolition of the typhoon-damaged structures was completed with FEMA’s approval. He added that the design phase under the design-build contract is expected to conclude by Jan. 31, 2026.
Guerrero noted that while there have been some delays in the receipt of certain contract deliverables, PSS continues to work with the contractor to complete the design in order to advance the project toward construction.
He also said that FEMA approval is still required for the construction portion of the project. “Our office is actively assisting PSS with obtaining this approval, as well as addressing other related requirements to support project progression,” Guerrero said.
Variety reached out to CJ Innovation, which will issue a statement soon.
CJ Innovation completed the $4 million, 20-classroom modular facility in March 2025.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
