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Torres declares long weekends
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres declared two successive long weekends for all government departments and agencies, in time for the Christmas and the New Year celebrations next week.
Torres authorized department and activity heads to grant an administrative leave to all non-critical employees, starting today where government operations would be until 12pm.
Workers in critical agencies like the hospital and others that provide essential and emergency services are not included.
“As we head into the Christmas weekend and in appreciation for your hard work and dedication to the [CNMI] this past year, I am hereby authorizing non-critical employees of the Commonwealth’s departments and agencies to take administrative leave after 12pm on Friday, Dec. 23,” said Torres.
Today’s schedule will again be followed next week, Dec. 30, for the New Year weekend. He also declared both Mondays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, as holiday after both Christmas and New Year’s day fell on a weekend. Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 are both on a Sunday this year.
1 CMC 313 states: “If a legal holiday falls on a Saturday, it shall be celebrated on the preceding Friday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it shall be celebrated on the following Monday.”
Torres, however, reminded essential agencies to make sure there are personnel for both days. “Please note that all department and activity heads must ensure that essential public services will not be disrupted.”
“As we close out a productive 2016, I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! May God bless you all with peace and joy in the year ahead,” said Torres.
The Governor’s Office has also released the list of legal holidays for 2017 starting with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 16, followed by the President’s Day on Feb. 20 while March 24 is Commonwealth Covenant Day.
