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Second COVID-19 relief package to provide aid to CPA
The second COVID-19 relief package that was recently passed would ensure additional aid for the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
In an interview with CPA board chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds, she said CPA expects to receive additional relief to aid in the continued operation of the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.
CPA does not know yet when or how much they will receive this time but King-Hinds said the amount will be lesser than what they received from the CARES Act but it will still be necessary relief for the agency.
CPA received about $22.8 million from the CARES Act. That aid, King-Hinds said, provided relief that covered the cost for personnel, operations, and debt obligations.
It was thanks to the CARES Act funding and quick action taken by the board to implement austerity measures that the CNMI Airport managed to continue operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, King-Hinds added.
“We have been able to avoid a reduction-in-force because of our quick action to implement austerity measures and the funds received under the CARES Act,” she said.
In terms of austerity measures, King-Hinds said measures remain in place, with all CPA staff still working on reduced hours. “The austerity measures adopted by the board remains in effect for all employees. So we are still operating on reduced hours [except] for those critical employees that are required to support essential operational functions on an as-needed basis,” she said. “While some agencies are back to a full 80 hours, our employees have been on 64 hours in anticipation of the drastic decline in revenue as a result of the halt of the tourism industry.”
According to Saipan Tribune archives, all CPA employees were reduced to a 64-hour work schedule effective March 29, 2020.
Back on Feb. 14, 2020, the board approved a 72-hour work schedule for all employees, reducing by eight hours the work-hours of employees per pay period.
CPA estimated a total revenue loss at $6,478,735 in 2020 due to flights suspensions.
