By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

SENATOR Frank Ishizaki, R-Yona, has proposed two reorganization bills, each would consolidate related agencies into one department.
“The need to consolidate services within our government is now and the time is right, especially with the current cash crunch we face,” Ishizaki said in introducing Bills 83 and 84.
Bill 83 proposes the creation of the Department of Public Safety that would consolidate the Guam Police Department, the Guam Fire Department, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Youth Affairs, the Office of Post-Mortem Examinations, the Motor Carrier Division of the Department of Revenue and Taxation, the responsibilities of the Office of Highway Safety of the Department of Public Works, the Airport Police, the Port Police, and the Airport Fire Division.
Bill 84 would establish the Department of Housing which would assume all the duties and responsibilities of the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority, and the Guam Housing Corporation.
“I was a part of the governor’s reorganization committee in his first term and it was unfortunate that his efforts were not given the proper attention they deserved,” Ishizaki said.
“At that time, I saw the need for government reorganization and today, reorganization needs our full attention and should be taken seriously if we want to effectuate an efficient government,” he added.
Bills 83 and 84 — cosponsored by Sens. Tony Unpingco, R-Santa Rita, Judi Guthertz, D-Malojloj, Adolpho Palacios Sr., D-Ordot/Chalan Pago, and Frank Blas Jr., R-Yona — have been referred to the Committee on General Governmental Operations and Reorganization.
Bill 84 is scheduled to be heard on April 9 and Bill 83 on April 11.