by Krystal Paco

Guam - For several months, the Port Authority of Guam has faced its challenges with the procurement for new generators. During today's special board meeting, port general manager Joanne Brown once again brought the matter to the attention of the directors looking at pursuing the avenue of requesting for an emergency procurement. Brown says should its last generator break down, the adverse impact on the community would be significant.

Brown said, "Because if our one generator goes down to operate the refrigerated containers, I mean we have millions of dollars of commodities that there for both food to medicine that we would be concerned about. We simply would not be able to operate the Port, it would come to a standstill."

Management meanwhile addressed the Port's service life extension loan telling the board that documents have been submitted to the Public Utilities Commission with public hearings set later this month for the interim tariff increase.

As for the Guam Federation of Teachers' union contract, Brown raised opposition to the current language in the contract specifically over the workweek beginning from Monday to Friday as the ships pulling into the Port don't always take place within that timeframe. She told the board she's not in the position to advise the governor to sign the contract.