New 70-hour work schedule set
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has issued a directive to impose additional cost-cutting measures and cut the work schedule of employees under Executive Branch departments and agencies from 72 hours per pay period to 70 hours, effective last Oct. 4.
Palacios said he and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang appreciate the employees’ cooperation and commitment to continuing to provide quality public programs and services despite these austerity measures.
“We are working to accelerate infrastructure projects, diversify our economy, move federal dollars through the economy, and strengthen tax collection efforts, among other positive economic developments, to limit the duration of these austerity measures and restore regular operations in the soonest possible time,” said the governor in issuing Directive 2024-001 last Wednesday, Oct. 4.
Palacios said it has become necessary to impose additional cost-cutting measures and implement the appropriation levels, in light of the recent passage of Public Law 23-09, or the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget and Appropriations Act.
Section 1 of the directive states that effective Oct. 4, 2023, all Executive Branch departments and agencies of the CNMI government shall continue to observe austerity measures in fiscal year 2024, with exemptions to federally funded programs.
Employees of the Executive Branch departments and agencies shall make the necessary adjustments as it relates to work hours, pay, and leave.
Under subsection (a), austerity Monday will continue to be observed every Monday following payday.
Additionally, every Friday, government hours of operations for departments and agencies of the Executive Branch will be from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
The Executive Branch will remain open during regular working hours, 7:30am-4:30pm, on all other weekdays.
Palacios said a department or agency will not be required to implement reduced working hours if the principal executive of a department or agency presents an expenditure plan for personnel that does not exceed the appropriation threshold established by Public Law 23-09.
He has to first approve that plan after it is reviewed by the special assistant for Management and Budget and the secretary of Finance.
The governor said Executive Branch departments and agencies may continue to modify operational schedules in order to remain open for reasons of public safety, health, and welfare of the community, provided expenditures stay within budgetary limits.
Austerity that falls on a holiday will be observed on the next day following the paid holiday.
Under Section 2, austerity measures will also be applied to law enforcement effectuating a two-hour adjustment within the pay period not to exceed 84 hours per pay period for police and corrections personnel and 104 hours for firefighters.
Palacios said the director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement Sections 1 and 2 of the austerity directive.
Section 4 pertaining to the use of revolving funds for operations states that, as provided in Section 604 of Public Law 23-09, revolving account limitations and restrictions are suspended in fiscal year 2024.
Palacios said a revolving account may be expended by the department or agency for operational uses such as fuel, communications, office supplies, and interisland travel for training purposes, and that all expenditures will be subject to funding availability.
He said pursuant to Section 601 (a) of Public Law 23-09, Commonwealth Utilities Corp. monthly utility billings for all executive departments and agencies shall be applied to all revolving accounts until exhausted.
Palacios said general fund utility budget allocations will be provided as necessary.
Effective last April 24, the governor began cutting the work schedule of some Executive Branch employees to just 72 hours and implemented the austerity Monday.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios
