A state of emergency in the Northern Marianas has been extended, after the public school system and health corporation again failed to pay their dues.
The Governor, Eloy Inos was prompted to further renew the state of emergency so that the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation can continue employing skilled foreign workers in the absence of qualified US citizens.
Records show that the Public School System and the Commonwealth Health Corporation's unpaid obligations to the utilities corporation rose $2 million from $16 million in August to $18 million in October.
There are around 48 non-US citizen workers in various divisions and most are from the Philippines.
The state of emergency also allows the Governor to re-program funds and suspend procurement laws to address the problems.
