Welcome to the Office of the Governor of Guam

May 12, 2010
 
Lt. Governor Cruz released the following statement in response to GCIF’s decision to not appeal the JFK case ruling:
 
“Though we are hopeful that the lack of a Supreme Court appeal will bring an end to litigation on this matter, we must remain cautiously optimistic as many other steps still remain in this process. I along with the governor and the JFK community look forward to pursuing the next steps that will bring us closer to a new permanent JFK for our students on its existing site.”

Governor Felix P. Camacho today will sign an executive order to form an energy task force responsible for creating a strategic energy plan for Guahan.
 
A press conference is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., today, May 10, 2010, at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex small conference room.

April 30, 2009
 
Governor Felix P. Camacho issued the following statement regarding the confirmation of Alicia Limtiaco, Attorney General of Guahan, to serve as United States Attorney for Guahan and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI):
 
“Lieutenant Governor Michael W. Cruz and I commend the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Attorney General Limtiaco. This historic vote not only ensures that justice is administered in Guahan and the CNMI but allows a respected daughter of Guahan to hold one of the most important federal posts in the western Pacific. We join all island leaders in congratulating her, and wish her the best of luck as she assumes her new position. We are committed to working with AG Limtiaco to tackle the most pressing issues facing the two districts.”

April 29, 2010
 
Resolution 352-30, passed by the Guam Legislature, called for the federal government to avoid awarding ARRA funds to a single entity. IT&E was the sole applicant which was awarded $8 million in the first round of funding for the Broadband Technology Program (BTOP) under the ARRA out of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The award of IT&E prompted officials of the Guam Telephone Authority (GTA) to contest the award and make attempts to discredit IT&E’s subsequent application for funding in the amount of $89 million. GTA’s attempts were solidified by the Guam Legislature’s resolution, which severely hampers IT&E’s application.

The resolution has drawn criticism from CNMI Governor Benigno R. Fitial. “The Guam Legislature’s resolution severely places our region’s well being at risk. It is disheartening to know that an applicant is being singled out because of their attempts to secure the advancement of our region. The public presentations for BTOP applications are being held today, allowing the CNMI and Guahan public to hear the merits of their application and proposals. It would have been more appropriate to hear the merits of the applicants prior to sending a resounding message to the US Federal government that no ARRA money is needed in our region unless it can be equally split among all companies, even those that did not invest the time and resources to pursue this funding. I think the resolution’s untimely passage does nothing more than damage the credibility of any application that comes out of the region, not just Guahan” said Gov. Fitial.

Governor Felix Camacho supported Fitial’s viewpoint and shares in his disappointment at the passage of the legislature’s resolution. “I agree that the message sent on behalf of the people of Guahan by this resolution is damaging. Governor Fitial’s position to let the public hear the merit of the proposals by those who applied and be able to comment and ask questions is the best course of action. In a joint effort to ensure equity and fairness, as well as secure what is in the best interest of our region, the applicants for round two of the BTOP funding will be presenting their proposals to the public. Although the presentations will be hosted in Saipan, the Guahan public will be able to join in and ask questions via video teleconferencing,” said Gov. Camacho.

To ensure objectivity when providing support to private sector applicants who have applied for ARRA funding, the CNMI has requested all applicants to make public presentations of their applications. Each application is then subject to questions from a panel of evaluators and the general public. This information is then taken back to the government for consideration on how to rank each of the applications and express the level of support for each applicant. Their recommendations are then forwarded to the federal grantor for review.

During the first round of the BTOP funding, the CNMI held public presentations for IT&E, Docomo Pacific, and the Northern Marianas College. For the second round of funding, the CNMI will also require the same presentations; however they will be hosting it through VTC to include the Guam public. The presentations are being made to the CNMI and Guam public today, April 29, 2010, from 5:00-7:00 pm. The Guahan VTC will be made available at the small conference room of the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex. The applicants that will be presenting are IT&E, the University of Hawaii, and the Pacific Islander Community Access Network.

Lieutenant Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D., will sign proclamations for Guahan Nurses’ Month and International Year of the Nurse.
 
A ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2010, at the Large Conference Room of the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex. All are invited to attend.