by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Up for public testimony today was Bill 30, which was introduced by freshman senator Chris Duenas. The legislation would place the Ancestral Lands Commission and the Chamorro Land Trust Commission under the administrative supervision and control of the Department of Land Management.

Duenas says the bill is designed to assist both agencies by giving them the technical expertise to move their programs and intentions forward. But several people testified against the legislation like Juanita Aguon was awarded CLTC land in Agat. She said, "I stay on land trust quite a long time and I don't see any wrong doing with that land trust I applied for infrastructure, and I have not problem I oppose for this to be transferred to Land Management, I'm sorry."

Original landowner Mike Aguon said, "I am here absolutely opposes speaking for my mother to tell you that the system is not perfect but I works and its there and I'm here to testify to use your own words. We're really not righting a wrong; we would be wronging that right, and the right is we need to get this land back into original landowner so they can decide," she said.

Others testified that the bill may have benefits such as reducing the costs and helps streamline the government but it could also open the door to future land scams.