by Sabrina Salas Matanane
Guam - Chamorro Land Trust Commission Acting Administrator Monte Mafnas is getting more recognition from the Legislature for his no nonsense approach in attempting to settle the long standing issues at his agency. As we reported he is going after close $2 million in back rent owed the CLTC.
On Thursday Mafnas issued a list he compiled of delinquent commercial leases. Senator Ben Pangelinan applauded him for the steps he's been taking to clean up the CLTC's books and today Senator Chris Duenas is following suit "I'm pleased to see that Governor Calvo and his Administration are working proactively to address long-standing issues at the land trust," said Senator Dueñas. The republican lawmaker added, "Solutions to problems at the Chamorro Land Trust are going to require work and cooperation from both the administration and the Legislature."
Senator Dueñas believes two bills he's introduced will help address some of the problems that have plagued the CLTC since its inception.
The bills are as follows:
1- Bill No. 30-31 (COR), which merges the Chamorro Land Trust and Ancestral Land Commission as a division of the Department of Land Management. The lawmaker states, "this Bill streamlines government while bolstering the land trust with competent staff who can support their mission. The additional support will allow the land experts in the government to resolve long standing issues with commercial leases, and provide additional resources to fast track residential leases to the thousands of people who have been waiting in line for years."
2- Bill No. 115-31 (COR), would require two appraisals of any property to be leased under CLTC in order to provide fair market value for all leases. "We've seen too many problems with commercial leases at the Land Trust over the years," said Senator Dueñas. "Whether companies are paying to little, or not paying at all; enough is enough! Bill 115 will
ensure that there is a fair methodology for pricing these leases, as well as ensure that the land trust is getting fair market value for it's commercial leases," he added.
By KUAM News