Farmers share concern about damaged crops

by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - In light of recent problems facing the islands farmers after heavy rains damaged crops throughout the island, Senator Rory Respicio held a roundtable this morning aimed at providing solutions.

Representatives from GEDA, the Department of Agriculture and several islands farmers participated, including farmer Tom Blas, one of many raising concern over funding. He said, "The problem is every time there's a problem we have to come to the legislature," prompting Respicio to said, "No, but what I'm trying to say sir is that we want all of you to walk away knowing the governor has the authority to declare a state of emergency. And once he declares that emergency he could spend up to $250,000 then as these distributing these monies."

Blas said, "Yes, that's true, but time is of the essence." Respicio said, "But time could have been realized immediately if the governor followed our suggestion," at which point Blas said, "Not by the way government works - government is very slow."

Late last month Senator Respicio asked Governor Eddie Calvo to declare a state of emergency and utilize his emergency transfer authority to provide relief to farmers.