January 9, 2008

Governor Felix P. Camacho today left to Washington, D.C. to coordinate the final reimbursement from the federal government to Guam for funds the government of Guam used to recover from Super Typhoon Paka.

President Bush late last month signed the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which contains language for the reimbursement.  The Governor now must formally request the funds and coordinate logistics with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  This includes identifying the correct amount of reimbursement and the delivery of funds to the government of Guam.

The Governor will meet with FEMA officials Thursday this week.

"We are excited this finally is happening and our government will be reimbursed," Governor Camacho said.

FEMA previously denied government of Guam claims to this reimbursement.  Governor Camacho lobbied Congresswoman Bordallo and U.S. Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Daniel Inouye of Hawaii to support a Congressional appropriation.  Congress recognized the validity of the government of Guam's claims and included this appropriation in the Omnibus Appropriations Act, which the President signed December 27, 2007.

Section 562 of the Omnibus Appropriations Act states, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program, the currently uncompensated debris removal costs from Super Typhoon Paka and the fire fighting costs associated with the Malojloj hardfill fire in 1998."

Governor Camacho also will meet with outgoing Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior David Cohen and Director of the Office of Insular Affairs Nikolao Pula.