SAIPAN — The CNMI Public School System has officially concluded School Year 2025-2026 across Saipan, Tinian and Rota, the Joint Information Center said in its 30th situation report on Super Typhoon Sinlaku recovery.
In the same report, the JIC announced it will move from daily situation reports to 48-hour recovery updates beginning Monday. Future updates will focus on CUC restoration efforts, shelter counts, the Sustainment of Temporary Resilience and Operational Needs on Ground tent and roofing mission, health services and other key government updates.
PSS said the decision followed continued assessments of campus conditions. While significant progress has been made in debris consolidation, deep cleaning and operational recovery, many campuses continue to face unresolved challenges including facility repairs, mold remediation, inconsistent electricity and running water, and ongoing shelter operations on several campuses.
Promotion and graduation ceremonies will proceed as scheduled in the SY 25-26 BOE-approved K-12 calendar. High school commencements begin May 27 at Tinian High School, followed by Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Senior High School on May 29, Marianas High School on June 2, Kagman High School on June 3, Da’ok Academy on June 4 and Saipan Southern High School on June 5. All ceremonies are at 4 p.m. Locations have not been announced.
STRONG MISSION
Federal and CNMI crews have installed 307 temporary tents under the Sustainment of Temporary Resilience and Operational Needs on Ground mission, with Saipan accounting for 208 installations and Tinian 99. Seven emergency roof installations have been completed on Saipan. Tent and roofing operations continue as crews work to secure and stabilize damaged homes.
POWER RESTORATION
Saipan’s power system remains a patchwork of partial energization. Feeders 1 and 3 are 98% energized, Feeder 2 at 50%, Feeder 4 at 75% and Feeder 7 at 5%. Kiya 1 stands at 30% and Kiya 2 at 0%, with both feeders awaiting energization from the Kiya substation, which energized its T1 and T2 transformers May 10 at 11:30 a.m. Kiya 3 is at 90% and Kiya 4 at 50%. Current feeder demand is 7.3 megawatts to Feeders 1, 2, 4 and 7.
Total available generation capacity is 26 megawatts against pre-storm peak demand of approximately 30 megawatts. CUC noted that while generation is nearing pre-Sinlaku operational levels, full power restoration awaits the completion of distribution repairs across damaged power poles, transmission infrastructure and lateral lines throughout the villages.
Tinian power remains 100% offline with all feeders down, leaving 1,059 customers without power. Rota power is back to normal operations.
WATER
Saipan water production stood at 9.2 million gallons per day, or 80% of the 11.5-million-gallon target. Approximately 80% of customers are receiving 24-hour water service, with 20% on scheduled service. The boil water notice on Saipan remains in effect. Of 137 wells and facilities, 97 are online: 23 on the CUC power grid, 31 on CUC generators and 43 on FEMA generators.
Tinian water service is 99% online with the boil water notice officially cancelled as of May 6. Rota water is 100% restored.
SHELTERS
Shelter population across Saipan and Tinian dropped to 240 residents and one pet, a decrease of 14 from the previous report. Marianas High School holds the largest population at 65, followed by Koblerville Elementary School at 59 and Kagman Community Center at 46. Tinian’s Western Lodge non-congregate shelter has six clients.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES
CHCC Emergency Department continues 24/7 operations. Outpatient clinics for Family Care, Children’s and Women’s services are running on weekday and Saturday schedules. The CHCC pharmacy is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with drive-thru available. Samaritan’s Purse operates an outpatient clinic at the CHCC upper parking lot daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
CHCC Population Health and Samaritan’s Purse continue a house-to-house mobile medical clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in villages across the community.
WIC remote services have been restored from a temporary outage. Residents may contact (670) 664-4084 or (670) 236-8741 Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
On Tinian, the Lucia “Chiang” Villagomez Arizapa Health Center reopened May 5. Rota Health Center operates 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
AIRPORTS
Saipan International Airport continues daylight-only operations because of damage to navigational aids. United Airlines is operating daily Guam service, with arrival at 8:50 a.m. and departure at 9:55 a.m. United has suspended its Narita-to-Saipan flights from May 7 through July 10 because of operational complexities from Sinlaku. Micronesian Air Cargo/Connection Services and Star Marianas Air are operating daytime commuter and cargo flights.
Francisco Manglona Borja/Tinian International Airport is open for humanitarian flights only with limited daytime operations. Tinian Airport is again without power because of issues with the FEMA generator. Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International Airport on Rota is open and operational.
SEAPORTS
The Port of Saipan is open for commercial traffic and cargo operations without restrictions, with city power restored on the port side. The Port of Tinian is open under Port Heavy Weather Condition WHISKEY. Rota West Harbor’s Berth 2 cargo loading and discharge remains suspended. Berth 1 operations may resume during daytime hours under favorable sea conditions, limited to general cargo only.
TRANSPORTATION
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority logged 763 transports between April 10 and May 11. Saipan’s Fixed Route Blue Line 1B runs hourly from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on a modified daylight schedule. Saipan Call-A-Ride is limited to shelter, hospital, clinic and recovery site transport. Rota and Tinian Call-A-Ride services run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. fare-free under a grant-funded pilot. Reservations: (670) 236-2682.