by Mindy Aguon

Guam - It's been five months since Monte Mafnas has served as the acting director of the Department of Land Management following the consolidation of the land agencies and today he went before lawmakers for his confirmation hearing. While several senators offered their support to Mafnas, lawmakers questioned his ability to multitask all agencies, whether the consolidation of agencies has been carried out properly and how he plans to fulfill the mandates of the rules and regulations for the different agencies.

"So 'sole and separate' is how I intent to run it," Mafnas described of his strategy. "Make sure everything is in conformity with the mandates of the law, but there may be a point in time we may revisit the law because change is inevitable. So if it's to deliver a better service and a better product to the people of Guam, then I will be here with the board."

Lawmakers meanwhile commended Mafnas for his testimony namely his long-term goals and his list of accomplishments including the numbers of leases and documents executed and fees collected.