by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Last month Governor Eddie Calvo signed an executive order reducing holiday pay to time-and-a-half, as opposed to the current standard of double-time. During its regular meeting Thursday, the Port Authority of Guam's board and management discussed how this could impact its close to 380 employees just as it prepares for its modernization efforts in the next few months.

"We've directed legal counsel to look at the pertinent statutes and laws pertaining to that. It's not to say that the government employees are not deserving of the increments if in fact they performed well; the issue is here is the availabilities of monies. And the Government of Guam's coffers have shrunk," shared Dan Tydingco, chairman of the PAG's board.

He says the Port's Finance Department is doing further research. The executive order would save $4 million annually, but must go through the Administrative Adjudication Act requiring notices and hearings that will be administered by the Department of Administration. Director Benita Mangolona has been ordered to effectuate the changes immediately.