by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The Calvo Administration continues its reorganization efforts and the latest review has resulted in layoffs and outsourcing at the Department of Agriculture. Acting Governor Ray Tenorio signed Reorganization Advisory No. 8 and Reduction in Force Advisory No. 3 today regarding structural changes and a layoff plan for the agency.

$370,000 is expected to be saved with 12 positions on the chopping block. Positions identified for layoffs within the department include a veterinarian, four animal control officers, a secretary for the director's office, equipment operator, livestock caretaker, and the chief and assistant chief from the division of aquatics and wildlife. And for the first time in the Administration's reorganization efforts, the animal health section will be outsourced completely due to a severe inefficiency and a lack of funds.

Many Cruz, deputy director for the agency, told KUAM News, "Because clearly we see an abundance of stray animals in our community that we would like to see be taken care of and humanely and handled in a more compassionate way."

Effective today, other changes to the department include eliminating the Animal and Health Industry Division, adding a new biosecurity division that will house the plant inspection section and invasive species section; moving the Plant Nursery Section to the Agricultural Development Services Division and placing the Conservation Law Enforcement Section under the purview of the director. Cruz added, "When we look at our operations we decided to move forward and make our operation more responsive and more accountable to the people that we serve. And we're banking on some of the financial resources, very limited that we have, we decided to go this route."

As part of its reduction in force, the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources will be divided into two separate divisions, creating the Fishery Resources Division and a Wildlife Resources Division, which will concentrate on the endangered and invasive species programs.

As Adelup moves forward, since reorganization advisories have been issued along with individual layoff notices, no one has actually been laid off yet. As previously noted, the Department of Administration will place those employees into its retention registry.