The Northern Marianas Governor says streamlining or shrinking the public service will now be an alternative rather than a last resort as the result of further hits to the economy, especially as a result of Japan's earthquake and tsunami.
Benigno Fitial's already proposed scrapping about 300 fulltime government positions as his administration finalises its 2012 budget.
Our correspondent in Saipan, Mark Rabago, says although the legislature has to approve the budget and that could take some time, the catastrophic events in Japan will certainly affect the CNMI.
"Japan being our number one market there's a problem now and with the twin Japand disasters we're not expecting as big operating monies next year, next fiscal year so it's the sensible thing to do, right."
Our correspondent in CNMI, Mark Rabago.
