$1M RELEASED FOR SCHOOL AND SPORTS FACILITIES

PRESS RELEASE – Hagatna, Guam. The Bureau of Budget Management and Research (BBMR) has once again uploaded approximately $1M in funding for the repair, maintenance, and construction of sports facilities in Guam’s villages and schools. The Guam Department of Education, village mayors, and the Department of Parks and Recreation received over $300,000 each.

Senator Duenas said that his office received confirmation of funding from BBMR late last week.

Public Law 32-60 authored by Duenas, addresses dilapidated sports facilities around the island due to inadequate funding. “Prior to this law, our village mayors, DPR, and DOE were inadequately funded for the maintenance of village sports facilities, as a result many of the facilities island-wide were in disrepair for over a decade,” Duenas said.

The law has resolved this issue and provides well over $1.5 million per year for maintenance, repair, and construction of new athletic and youth facilities.

According to Senator Chris Duenas, “This is the second time this year that the almost $1 million has been released to these entities for the maintenance and repair of village sports facilities.”

The funding source taxes legal limited gaming on Guam, and transfers this funding to the mayors, DOE, and DPR for the maintenance and repair for school and village sports facilities.

While Duenas maintains a strong position against gaming, he said, “If we are going to have limited gaming on Guam, I am of the position that we should have the common sense to tax it for the public benefit. In this instance our children and athletes benefit.”

Duenas acknowledged the work of Governor Calvo, as well as his colleagues at the legislature for supporting this policy initiative.