by Nick Delgado

Guam - It was packed at the Guam Legislature this morning as two bills went up for a public hearing related to stepping-up the Guam Product Seal Program. Bill 227 would establish a task force on the program, which would be under the auspices of the Lieutenant Governor's Office; while Bill 226 would require a country of origin label be prominently displayed on consumables that have the words "Guam" or "Chamorro" on them.

Support for the latter legislation was mixed between local manufacturers and importers.

Francis Bradely is a holder of the Guam Product Seal and has been in business for the past 14 years, and said, "I think we need support for Guam Product Seal holders right now, I don't think we don't have enforcement. That's why there are so many products out there that are labeled 'Guam' but are not made here. One of the concerns I have is if you use the word 'Guam' or 'Chamorro' you have to write the origin instead of saying 'Made in China or Thailand' it is now saying distributed by and a local company name. I think it's an intent to deceive the consumer. We just need to clarify those things, so I am in full support of these two bills and the Guam Product Seal."

Guam Importers for Free Trade Sustainability (GIFTS) is a committee compromised of representatives from the wholesale, retail and tourist industry. Spokesperson Edie Alvarez opposes the labeling bill, calling it detrimental to Guam, noting, "This is a bad idea for over 25 years products bearing the Guam label have been providing billions of dollars of advertising value at no cost to the government to entice visitors to Guam to enjoy our island."

He added, "In Guam's case, it does not matter that these goods are products of Australia, Belgium , china, Germany, Hawaii, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and even good 'ol USA. Our visitors obviously enjoy the wide range of products and price points as evidenced in the revenue generated from the sale of such goods."