Rabauliman backs NMI Museum move under HPO

The NMI Museum is set to come under the Historic Preservation Office, bringing the Commonwealth’s museum and historic preservation functions under the same umbrella within the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs as the administration of Gov. David M. Apatang moves to consolidate government operations amid tight finances.

Apatang signed Executive Order 2026-015 last Aug. 13, placing the Commonwealth Museum of History and Culture within HPO and under the supervision of the historic preservation officer or designee. HPO is under DCCA.

DCCA Secretary Francisco Rabauliman, who also serves as the CNMI state historic preservation officer, said he supports the consolidation. The transfer effectively places the museum within the historic preservation office he oversees.

“I want to support the administration and specifically the governor for doing all the heavy lifting as far as trying to consolidate agencies that may be duplicative in their duties and responsibilities,” Rabauliman told Marianas Press. “And, so for the fact that we are in such economic challenges, I think this is the best, prudent way of addressing the economic challenges that we have by consolidating offices.”

The executive order similarly cites the CNMI’s “trying economic times” and the need to consolidate duplicative government instrumentalities so limited fiscal resources can be directed toward essential public services.

Under the order, the historic preservation officer or designee will assume duties and responsibilities assigned by law to the museum executive director. Powers and responsibilities of the Museum Board of Governors will be transferred to the DCCA secretary or designee, including supervision of museum management staff.

The order also terminates the terms of Museum Board of Governors members after divesting the board of its statutory duties and responsibilities.

The transfer is not immediate. The executive order will take effect 60 days after submission to the Legislature unless a majority of the members of each house modifies or disapproves it.

The museum move is part of a broader government reorganization. Rabauliman noted that the Office of Youth Affairs is being absorbed by DCCA’s Division of Youth Services, while the Council for the Arts is being transferred to the Marianas Visitors Authority.

Rabauliman acknowledged that taking on the museum could present challenges for DCCA, particularly if sufficient funding does not accompany the additional responsibilities.

“I would hope that with the transfer of duties and responsibilities, that we'll be able to, you know, manage those properly with the funding that may come with it,” he said. “But I'm not holding my breath on that.”

He said the broader goal is to streamline government and reduce duplication of services, although he expects the transition to be challenging.

The consolidation also comes as the museum deals with longstanding concerns over storage and protection of its collection, including problems highlighted following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Rabauliman said he only recently learned of the museum consolidation and has not yet completed a full assessment of what needs to be done. He said Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded subject matter experts assessed historical sites as well as the museum and its capabilities following Sinlaku, but he has yet to fully review their findings.

Marians Press earlir reported that some of the museum’s collection was moved to American Memorial Park because it is air-conditioned, an important consideration for temperature control. Rabauliman also noted that artifacts continue to be unearthed on Tinian amid military-related activities and could eventually be transferred to the museum repository.

For Rabauliman, having the museum and HPO together makes sense because of their related missions.

“The duties and responsibilities somewhat overlap, right? And so, yeah, it does make sense that the consolidation happens there,” he said.

He said key questions going forward include whether funding will accompany the transfer and what challenges the museum was already facing before the reorganization.

Rabauliman said it is still too early to say exactly how the change will affect museum stakeholders, but expressed confidence that its work and services will continue.

“I would hope that the work and the services that they provide will continue unhindered,” he said.