By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
NEARLY two months after the storm, the islands’ recovery has entered a stronger phase, with re-energized power lines, improving water service, and millions in federal aid, CNMI Homeland Security Special Assistant Clement Bermudes said.
He joined Friday’s Joint Guam/CNMI Typhoon Preparedness Month press conference via Zoom with Gov. David M. Apatang, addressing regional partners gathered at Adelup, Guam.
Bermudes thanked NOAA, the National Weather Service in Guam, Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense, FEMA, CNMI Gov. David M. Apatang, Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Guam Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, and media and regional partners for their support, adding that the EOC team “will continue to support our community tirelessly.”
He emphasized the critical role of the National Weather Service. “Their forecasts, briefings, and coordination have been a big part of helping us make sound decisions and keep the public informed,” he said.
Bermudes reported significant progress in restoring essential services across the islands.
“On Saipan, about 99% of primary power lines have been re-energized,” he said. “About half of electrical customers are now back on the CUC grid. Generation capacity has been restored to 34.7 megawatts, which is above pre-storm levels.”
Full restoration is not yet complete, he added, because distribution repairs, lateral line work, and customer reconnections are still underway. Material shipments are still pending, and Guam Power Authority crews “continue to play a key role in this progress.”
Water service has also improved. Bermudes said 98% of Saipan customers now receive 24-hour water service, though a precautionary boil-water notice remains in effect. Tinian’s system is 99% online, and its boil-water notice has been lifted. Rota’s water service is fully restored.
Debris removal remains one of the largest remaining tasks. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has collected 33,700 cubic yards of debris on Saipan, Bermudes said. He urged residents to continue sorting and placing debris properly along roadways “so crews can work efficiently and safely.”
Housing recovery continues through tent and roofing missions. To date, 1,332 tents and 370 temporary roofs have been installed across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. All emergency shelters closed on June 2, with zero occupants reported.
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, working with CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management, has completed 1,407 emergency transports supporting shelter operations, medical needs, airport movements, and other recovery-related travel.
Community support has been substantial. World Central Kitchen served 133,491 meals on Saipan, 11,520 on Tinian, and 18,056 on Rota.
As of June 5, FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program has received 11,243 registrations, with a total of $22,927,788.90 approved for disaster survivors. This includes $1,327,559.47 in Housing Assistance, which supports uninsured necessary expenses such as temporary lodging, home repairs, or rental assistance. An additional $21,600,229.43 has been awarded under Other Needs Assistance, which provides financial aid for essential uninsured disaster-related costs including transportation, medical and dental expenses, funeral costs, and personal property repairs.
Non-governmental organizations — including the American Red Cross, the Ayuda Foundation of Guam, and other groups from the mainland and abroad — continue to assist. VOAD partners remain active across the islands.
Transit service has resumed in many areas, though some aviation operations remain limited to daytime while navigational aids undergo repair. Bermudes thanked the Guam International Airport Authority for supporting the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
“The CNMI is recovering, but we’re still at work,” Bermudes said. “This is not just about fixing what was damaged. It is about building stronger systems, improving readiness, and making sure our communities are better prepared for the next storm.”
“Recovery today should help us be more resilient tomorrow,” he added. “The more we do now, the better we’ll be able to protect lives, reduce damage, and recover faster in the future. Biba typhoon preparedness!”
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.
