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Additional measures taken to secure funding for new landfill

March 27, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho today signed the application for a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan which, if approved, would secure up to $170 million for the government of Guam.  These funds, which are a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will go toward the closure of the Ordot dump and the opening of a new landfill in Layon. 

Joseph Diego, Area Director for USDA Rural Development, will submit these documents to Washington, D.C. for review. The USDA will determine the amount to be awarded to Guam in a grant and loan combination. 

“I have worked very closely with Mr. Diego as well as GEDA Administrator Tony Blaz,” said Governor Felix P. Camacho.  “We are doing all we can to secure a funding source to solve a long-standing problem.”

In addition, the Governor has asked the Secretary of Agriculture to designate Guam as a Substantially Underserved Trust Area, which would increase Guam’s chances of receiving the loan at a lower interest rate.

“Other applications are being submitted to the USDA,” said Governor Camacho.  “GWA will submit a multi-phase loan application in an amount totaling $29 million and the Port Authority of Guam will submit an application for the amount of $50 million. This brings the total amount requested to $249 million.”

March 26, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho and Lt. Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D. issued the following statement regarding the death of Speaker Carlos P. Taitano:

“We are saddened by the passing of Speaker Carlos P. Taitano, who will forever be remembered as a pioneer that led Guam toward self-government. His leadership and passion for our island and its people will truly be missed. We ask that the people of Guam join us in praying for Speaker Taitano’s loved ones during this difficult time and remember his honorable service that shaped our island’s history.”

BY GOVERNOR FELIX P. CAMACHO
Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Håfa Adai! Thank you for allowing me to speak before you today. I want to extend my appreciation to President Reina Leddy and Chairman Frank Campillo for this generous invitation.

As many of you know, this is a critical time for our island on many fronts…the decisions we make now will affect the lives of future generations. Today, I want to share with you how my administration continues to address three important issues that will undoubtedly affect the future of our island.

I want to thank the members of your executive committee for meeting with me over the last few months. Many of you have shared with me the thoughts of our business community.

We are all aware of the global economic crisis, and although we may be thousands of miles away from the largest and most powerful countries in the world, the unstable nature of our global economy has a profound effect on how we live our lives.

Global issues aside, there is one dilemma that has been plaguing our community and generations of leaders. It threatens our environment, consumes our financial resources and may possibly jeopardize critical areas of service to our people.

This long-standing issue is the closure of the Ordot Dump and opening of a new landfill. This is the most critical issue facing our island.

I will not talk about the genesis of the landfill situation because that could take up all of my time here.  I will even try not to engage in the blame game.

I will speak about what matters. What matters to many of you here, those at work, at home, at school and the leaders of our island, is what we are doing to solve this problem that has taken too much of our time and money, and may cause further grief to the people of Guam…

The biggest problem in the world could have been solved when it was small.

If the Legislature granted this administration the authority to seek Section 30 backed bonds for the financing of the landfill in Bill 51, there would be no penalties.