Guam’s only government-run cemetery is running out of time and space. 

Just eight burial plots remain at Tiguac Cemetery in Piti. Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Angel Sablan said they are down to less than maybe a month of burials left at Tiguac.

“My only other choice is if we don't get additional property we close it to further burials,” said Sablan. 

 The need to increase the footprint was something that Sablan brought up to the 37th Guam Legislature but fell on deaf ears. Now a bill introduced by Sen. Tina Rose Muna Barnes is before lawmakers and would hand over 11 acres of nearby government land to the Department of Parks and Recreation to expand.

“Several weeks ago the department asked to schedule a hearing for this measure because its capacity concerns have reached a critical level,” said Barnes. “It is merely the first step needed to help the Department of Parks and Rec, its budget as we all know its bare bones. There is no wiggle room to absorb any additional costs for this new lot.”

A public hearing was held Tuesday and not everyone supports the plan, not without accountability. Piti mayor and Mayors Council of Guam President, Jesse Alig.

“I want to respectfully oppose this bill for several reasons. One, I understand the need for burial plots. But I also understand the need for dignified burial plots. For our people. If our intention is to provide space for our loved ones, before we continue to give more property to the Department of Parks and Recreation, perhaps we need to fix up the cemetery first and we need to maintain the cemetery, in a matter that is dignified for our loved ones,” said Alig. 

Alig said he hasn't seen a plan, and is unaware of the funding source? He says the real issue is not space, it's how the government treats the cemetery it already has and Sablan shares the same sentiment.

“If you dont fund it. if you dont maintain it. you are gonna get what you don't fund for. I want to reiterate that we hope to change his mind, with some concrete plan to make that place a dignified place for our people,” said Sablan. 

Alig added, “If on any given day you go to Tiguac Cemetery, if you're happy with the way that cemetery looks, so be it, but I'm not.”

“The route to the landfill looks way better than going into Tiguac cemetery. Shame on us for caring for our people like that,” said Alig. 

As we reported back in April, families were upset by the condition of the cemetery with overgrown grass, trash, and lack of upkeep by comfort cuts, the company contracted to maintain the lawn and grounds of the cemetery.

He says years of neglect have left Tiguac looking abandoned and forgotten.

“If the government is truly concerned about our people, you need to be concerned about that cemetery as well,” said Alig. 

“We're trying at DPR to change things around many years of neglect. We can't change things overnight but we're on that track,” said Sablan.