By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
FOLLOWING his letter to the Legislature last week informing lawmakers of a 10% decline — or $13.081 million reduction — in the government revenue estimate due to a “steep” drop in April collections, Gov. David M. Apatang on Wednesday issued Directive 2026-5 implementing reduced work hours of 64 to 70 hours per pay period.
He informed all CNMI officials that the work schedule for employees in executive branch departments and agencies shall be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. He designated Mondays as an austerity day off.
All federally funded government employees are exempt.
The governor said CNMI government offices must remain open for business during regular working hours as specified in the directive, including the lunch hour.
For civil service employees, the reduced work hours will take effect on July 12, 2026, and continue through the end of the fiscal year or until further notice. For excepted service employees, the reduction will take effect on July 26, 2026.
The governor said the availability of funds, based on actual collections and needs, “may be subject to fluctuation between 64 hours and 70 hours per pay period.”
“This directive is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the Commonwealth, its departments, agencies or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person,” the governor said.
The directive was issued a week after Apatang informed Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Senate President Karl King-Nabors that Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita had issued a memorandum revising the current revenue estimate downward by 10%, citing economic and revenue impacts from Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
A government employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Wednesday he was not surprised by the directive after reading reports last week about the revenue decline. He noted that prior to the typhoon, his agency “was doing okay” with work hours, but that conditions worsened after the storm.
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.
