Dept of Chamorro Affairs assesses new fees for carabao vendor
by Krystal Paco GUAM - He's a staple to the Wednesday night market held at Chamorro Village in Hagatna, but he's been boycotting his carabao rides for the last few weeks. As John Ray Aguon tells KUAM,
June 12, 2013Updated: June 14, 2013
By KUAM News
By KUAM News
by Krystal Paco
GUAM - He's a staple to the Wednesday night market held at Chamorro Village in Hagatna, but he's been boycotting his carabao rides for the last few weeks. As John Ray Aguon tells KUAM, the Department of Chamorro Affairs is now implementing a $5 fee per night for Aguon to operate on the premises. He recalls over 20 years ago getting paid to offer the service as it perpetuated Chamorro culture, much like the band and dancers also entertaining on Wednesday evenings.
"I am part of the culture, I promote the culture, I'm a tourist entertainer here for the past 18 years. Chamorro Village has not compensated me and I have not paid Chamorro Village one penny and the principal here is not I'm unable to pay the five dollars its that they've shun a part of the Chamorro culture the carabao which has been here since the 1600s in our island" Aguon expressed.
Although he charges $3 for a ride on his carabao, Do'ak, he often finds himself giving rides for free and allowing tourists to take pictures for free.
Department of Chamorro Affairs director Joseph Cameron declined to comment on the issue.