By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE House of Representatives, during an emergency session on Friday, unanimously passed House Bill 24-74, appropriating $1 million in trust income proceeds from the Marianas Public Land Trust to fund a portion of household allotments for Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for November 2025.
All 20 House members voted to pass H.B. 24-74, which its author, Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao, said “will ensure that no family will go hungry because of political gridlock.” The bill now goes to the Senate.
Prior to the emergency session, Gov. David M. Apatang formally informed Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Senate President Karl King-Nabors that additional funds “will be available for appropriation in the preliminary amount of $1 million in net distributable income from MPLT.” The funds, the governor said, were expected to be transferred to the Department of Finance by Friday.
The governor urged the Legislature to pass an emergency budget to facilitate immediate food benefits for the month of November 2025. He communicated the matter to the Legislature immediately after MPLT Chairman Philip Mendiola-Long informed him that “[the trust is] pleased to advise you that the preliminary distribution for fiscal year 2025 is $1 million.”
During the emergency session at 10 a.m. Friday, House Floor Leader Marissa Flores moved that the House find that an emergency exists due to the pressing and urgent need to address NAP benefits for November 2025. With a vote of 20-0, the House declared that an emergency exists.
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Frank Rabauliman, during the public comment section, informed the House that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service issued federal guidance increasing the NAP benefit distribution from 50% to 65%. He thanked the House and the administration for providing the necessary assistance to the 14,000 NAP participants in the NMI affected by the delay of food stamp benefits due to the federal government shutdown.
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.