Yutu recovery unaffected by federal govt shutdown

Operations would continue for federal agencies involved in ongoing recovery efforts from Super Typhoon Yutu and Typhoon Mangkhut—even if the government in Washington, D.C. partially shuts down for the third time this year. The White House and Congress failed to reach last Friday an agreement for a spending bill that would keep the government in full operation.

The Senate has adjourned through Christmas and the partial government shutdown is expected to continue until after Christmas. President Donald J. Trump has been pushing to include a $5-billion funding for his border wall, one of his key campaign promises.

Press secretary Kevin Bautista released a Torres administration statement yesterday that assured that the government shutdown would have limited effect on the CNMI, even as Congress and the White House continue their negotiations on an appropriations bill.

“Roughly three-quarters of the government has already been funded by existing funding measures. …[The] effects of an extended federal government shutdown will grow over time, but [Gov. Ralph DLG Torres] and the administration will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with our federal partners on managing essential federal services,” the Torres statement said.

The statement pointed out that FEMA personnel and its disaster assistance program in the CNMI have already been funded through the Disaster Relief Fund—money that is allotted to finance aid and relief for major disasters and emergencies.

“Accordingly, critical federal services will remain intact, including other programs classified as essential. Commonwealth services remain largely undisrupted. FEMA personnel deployed and assigned to the CNMI for recovery efforts pertaining to Super Typhoon Yutu and Typhoon Mangkhut, as well as disaster assistance, are not affected,” the statement added.

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center will be open from 9am to 12pm today and will be closed tomorrow, Christmas Day. Regular operations would resume the following Day, Dec. 26.

Programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will also not be affected and would continue with their operations. The United States Postal Service will remain open. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs fall under mandatory spending and are not affected by any annual appropriations process. USPS is funded by independent sources, the administration said.

The American Memorial Park in Garapan, according to the National Park Service, would remain accessible to the public even during the shutdown. The AMP Visitor Center and bookstore will be open from 9am to 4pm, except Christmas Day. Restrooms, trash collection, and other daily maintenance will be limited.