by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Governor's Chief of Staff Frank Arriola says there's no question the Government of Guam has its financial challenges, but he believes in using technology to become more efficient and more effective. The Department of Administration purchased two Apple iPads to be used by acting director Benita Manglona and her financial manager.

Arriola said, "We support Benita's purchase of those iPads. I can tell you when I send her e-mails at three or four o'clock in the morning she responds rapidly and, this basically gives her an opportunity to respond quickly when information is needed necessary. So we'll have our critics out there, no question, but we support the use of technology in helping us become better public servants to provide the community the service that they ask for."

Arriola is also supporting Civil Service Commission Executive Director Tony Lamorena, who indicated to KUAM News that he, too, is looking at purchasing 13 tablet computers for his agency. "We sat down we had a discussion and his agency is as you can imagine are filled with documents and papers and we leave it up the manager of those departments to spend their money wisely. I understand from Tony that he did not fill two positions so there was a cost savings there and some of that savings he's used to purchase these iPads. So that they become more efficient in the job that they do," he said.

In terms of the two iPads that General Service Agency Chief Procurement Officer Claudia Acfalle added to Manglona's purchase order for her technicians, Arriola said he wasn't fully aware of the reasons behind the purchase but if it's to make the GSA more efficient then he supports it.