Governor David M. Apatang has issued Directive 2025-008A, establishing revised austerity measures for CNMI executive branch departments and agencies effective Fiscal Year 2026.
Key Provisions:
Reduced Work Hours
- Non-standard work week: Monday–Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm
- Effective November 18, 2025 (pay period 25) for civil service employees
- Effective November 30, 2025 (pay period 26) for excepted service employees
- Regular hours temporarily reinstated at 7:30am-4:30pm until implementation date
Personnel Actions
- Hiring freeze implemented (exceptions require Governor’s authorization)
- Departments must review employee performance for potential terminations, furloughs, or reductions-in-force
- No salary increases for FY 2026
- All legal holidays remain paid
Operational Restrictions
- Overtime limited to unforeseen events and essential services only
- Travel restricted to essential purposes
- Nonessential contracts, subscriptions, and leases to be terminated
- Cellphones and land lines to be eliminated where nonessential
- Transition to prepaid electric meters within 30 days
- Government vehicle use restricted to official purposes only
Exemptions Certain law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency dispatchers, and customs officers maintain regular hours based on operational needs and funding availability.
These measures apply to non-autonomous executive branch agencies and mayors’ office employees, with the directive continuing through the end of FY 2026 or until further notice.
View Directive Here
###