SAIPAN — Galvin Sablan Deleon Guerrero, an independent candidate for delegate to the U.S. Congress, called the planned end of 25% benefit payments to CNMI retirees “very troubling” and tied it to what he described as a slow federal response to the Commonwealth’s recovery needs.
In a statement Tuesday, Deleon Guerrero said the cessation of the payments after July 31, 2026 hits retirees as they struggle to recover from Super Typhoon Sinlaku and an economic downturn, with rising costs for utilities, gas and basic necessities. He said the slow pace of relief from federal partners has compounded the situation, and that cuts to programs in education, public health and social services have left limited resources being released piecemeal.
He said he was glad the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Disaster Nutrition Assistance and commended NAP Administrator Margaret Aldan, DCCA Secretary Frank Rabauliman and the NAP office staff for their work in securing food assistance. He said it was disappointing that approval took as long as it did, calling it the most recent example of what he characterized as slow federal response to the CNMI over the past two years.
Deleon Guerrero, who is challenging for the seat, questioned why a Republican delegate has not secured more aid and support from a Republican-controlled House, Senate and White House. He pointed to Guam, saying its Republican delegate has secured tens of millions of dollars in additional grants, military development and economic aid, and asked why the same is not being done for the CNMI. He also questioned the status of federal funding for CNMI obligations he said the delegate promised in October, which he said came with unspecified “conditions.”
“Indeed, we don’t want a hand out, we need a hand up,” he said, arguing that the CNMI is instead receiving “table scraps from whatever’s left from the federal pie.” He said retirees, as former public servants who helped build the Commonwealth and who continue to serve their families and communities, deserve better, and that supporting them is what his campaign is fighting for.
The 25% benefit payments, which the NMI Settlement Fund said the CNMI Government will stop funding after July 31, have been the subject of a separate Settlement Fund notice and pending legislation, House Bill 24-84, proposing $2.1 million to continue them.
