by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Legislation that would use the old FQ Sanchez Elementary School in Umatac to develop the Humatak Heritage Village Museum went up for public hearing today.

Former Umatac mayor Cecilia Morrison as well as current mayor Johnny Quinata testified in support of the measure both noting that while many villagers were saddened of the school's closing, this museum would continue the village's strong history.

"I'm a little uplifted today and I speak with the glimmer of hopefulness about the aspirations of many generations of past leaders from our village, some of their dreams about the future of our village can hopefully be addressed with passage of Bill 159-32," she said.

Mayor Quinata added, "People are still mad about our school being closed but we have to move on and move forward and get that school going, repaired and open up the museum and whatever need to be done."

Bill 159 introduced by Senator Tommy Morrison would appropriate $50,000 from the Tourist Attraction Fund to the Guam Visitors Bureau for the museum. GVB general manager Karl Pangelinan meanwhile testified that GVB supports developing attractions on Guam for visitors especially down south.

He does however add that while the TAF has exceeded initial projections, GVB does prioritize first for safety and destination projects in Tumon and throughout Guam.