By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Monday expressed appreciation to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs for providing some relief to the CNMI.
He confirmed receiving a letter from Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Angel A. Demapan informing Apatang of the $5.7 million Climate Change Technical Assistance grant award for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, $412,500 of which can be drawn down for the month of October.
The governor, however, said these funds cannot be counted as part of the general fund for the FY2026 budget because the money has already been “identified or directed to certain areas where it is needed.”
He said the quarterly financial relief is part of the commitment OIA made to him and other CNMI officials during the recent 902 talks in Washington, D.C., in September. “We appreciate what they did for us for this quarter coming up. That is the commitment,” the governor said.
“We all know that we are in deep kimchi. Everybody knows that,” he added.
In his Oct. 17, 2025 letter to the governor, Demapan said, “The Department of the Interior is awarding the Government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands up to $5.7 million in Climate Change Technical Assistance related to Climate Change Resilience for the purpose of continuity of essential government services as the CNMI works to address and alleviate its budgetary crisis.”
Attached to the letter was a copy of the grant award for $412,500 to assist the CNMI government with its operational costs for October. Demapan noted, however, that “subject to the availability of funds, and at my discretion, further funding under this agreement will be advanced for the months of November and December. The funds will be issued according to the timing and purpose indicated in the included documentation, unless otherwise agreed to by OIA.”
U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds shared the news on her Facebook page on Monday. She recalled the productive 902 talks in September in Washington, D.C., when the consultation turned into a discussion about what the federal government could do immediately to provide relief to the CNMI. In that meeting, Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita and Special Assistant for Management and Budget Vicky Villagomez made a “more manageable request,” breaking down the funding request into quarterly allotments.
As part of the terms and conditions, Demapan told the governor that the CNMI government must develop and submit a framework to OIA to sustainably balance the Commonwealth budget through reforms to save money and increase revenues. The framework is due no later than Nov. 30, 2025, and the plan must be implemented no later than Jan. 1, 2026.
King-Hinds commended the administration of Governor Apatang and Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola “for getting it together and submitting the necessary documents to OIA as agreed in the September meeting.” She also thanked the CNMI Senate and House for cooperating.
“This is what happens when we work together and speak about what’s happening back home. We are speaking the same language; we are marching in the same direction,” King-Hinds said.
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.
