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September 30, 2009
Governor Felix P. Camacho and Congresswoman Madeline Z. Bordallo are pleased to jointly announce that their collaborative efforts have resulted in the award of three new grants to the Government of Guam, totaling $3.5 Million, from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), a field activity within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
The award of the grants is welcomed news, since they enable the Government of Guam to remain engaged, to sustain the Territory’s responsive efforts to the challenges and impacts from the unprecedented Department of Defense military build-up, and most importantly to shape outcomes that benefit and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Guam.
“I am extremely pleased to make this announcement to our community and grateful to OEA for acknowledging our need to improve and secure the quality of life for our people,” said Governor Camacho. “My administration has been diligently working to prepare our island for the opportunities that lie ahead. We understand our charter and destiny, and that now is the time to identify plans, set the foundation, and develop the roadmap for our island’s future, and that is why these grants will be used to assess and plan for some key areas in our government.”
“The grants awarded by the Office of Economic Adjustment will assist the Government of Guam in improving government services, modernizing infrastructure at the Port of Guam, and providing support for the military buildup,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “I commend Governor Camacho for securing these funds, and I look forward to OEA’s continued partnership with the Government of Guam.”
The three new grants support a diversity of initiatives, some new, while sustaining some ongoing initiatives. The OEA grant to the Office of the Governor sustains the Port Authority of Guam's efforts on the Port Modernization Initiative. With the recent approval of the Port of Guam Master Plan, by the Guam Legislature, the PAG needs to transition from the planning phase to the design/implementation phase. The grant enables the PAG to accomplish the following tasks: 1) Terminal Development, Terminal Alternatives Analysis and Operations Plan; 2) Performance and Technical Requirements for Truck Gates and Terminal Operating Procedures; and 3) Performance Management Contract Service Benchmark Development and Consultations for Evaluations and Selection.
The grant to fund the Capacity Enhancing Building Initiative will enable the Office of the Governor to conduct an initial assessment, of the Government of Guam, evaluating its current strengths and weaknesses followed by pilot Capacity Enhancing-Building Initiatives (CEBI). The CEBI’s objective is to increase the Government of Guam’s capacity via instituting best management practices/protocols in lieu of relying on additional resources. This initiative recognizes there are finite resources and thus focuses on leveraging the talent, expertise, and professionalism of those who are dedicated to public service. The grant will culminate in identification, selection, and development of initiatives that address systemic challenges and that foster comprehensive change, within the government, to be more effective and efficient.
The grant to the Office of the Governor will enable the Guam Director of Health and Social Services to undertake the development of a Five-Year Health and Human Services Care Strategic Plan. With the progress and momentum on the physical infrastructure the Governor and the Congresswoman embraced this initiative to address the social infrastructure. The grant enables the Director to conduct an initial strengths and weaknesses assessment of the health and human services care systems followed by the development of a Five-Year Strategic Plan to improve the health and human services care systems for the people of Guam.
The grant to the Office of the Governor continues funding for two staff members, within the Office of the Governor and logistical support necessary to sustain the Military Integration and Growth Initiative (MIGI), which enables the Government of Guam to be responsive to the challenges and impacts created by the Department of Defense military, while seeking opportunities to shape favorable outcomes that benefit the citizens of Guam.
The Camacho-Cruz Administration continues to seek additional federal grant funding to help secure the island’s economy, infrastructure, health, public safety and education.
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