On Thursday, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres issued Executive Order 2020-03, declaring a price freeze to protect CNMI residents during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and the unexpected economic downturn.
CNMI remains coronavirus-free
WHEREAS, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel virus that is the cause of severe acute respiratory illness. It was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) in December of 2019. As of February 26, 2020, 81,830 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in China and more than forty other countries have been reported. There have been 2,771 deaths attributable to the disease, including 56 outside mainland China.
On Monday, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres wrote letters to all CNMI banks respectfully requesting them to consider providing a three-month grace period for all loans, mortgages, promissory notes, and other monetary obligations owed from residents on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota during this economic downturn as a result of the unanticipated impact of the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, which has affected the global economy and CNMI tourism.
The Secretary of Finance has advised of a projected reduction in the estimated general fund resources for the current fiscal year ending September 30, 2020. In a communication to the Governor dated February 3, 2020 (SFL 2020-081), the Secretary of Finance reported a shortfall in revenue by 8% or $4,364,189 for the first quarter of FY2020. The Secretary further advised of the need to revise the annual revenue estimate for FY2020 by a reduction of 16.8% and budgetary resources by 25.3% for the remainder of the fiscal year. Subsequently, in a communication dated February 6, 2020 (SFL 2020-085), the Secretary of Finance informed the Governor that his department updated and revised the annual revenue estimates for FY2020 based on new data. The Secretary of Finance now reported the need to revise the annual revenue estimate for FY2020 by a reduction of 20.7% and budgetary resources by 28.3% for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Retirees’ pensions remain unaffected
In light of the Supreme Court decision, In re Certified Question Petition of Torres & Ada, 2020 MP 2, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres and Lt. Governor Arnold I. Palacios reached out to the CNMI State Board of Education, Public School System (PSS), Legislative leadership and Attorney General Edward E. Manibusan to discuss the slip opinion and its impact on the present and future budgets of PSS and the CNMI government in general.
Executive order strengthens ongoing emergency protocols and quarantine measures at the ports
Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang, together with Delbert T. Pua, Special Assistant for the Office of Youth Affairs, recently proclaimed October 2024 as Youth Empowerment Month. The proclamation was made in the presence of members of the Legislature, Cabinet officials, and community partners, all united in their commitment to improving the lives of our youth.
