By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

The Guam Chamber of Commerce has asked its members to rally behind Port Authority of Guam chairman Monte Mesa.
The PAG chairman’s confirmation hearing has been scheduled at the Legislature and the chamber is inviting members of its small business committee to provide written or oral testimony in support of Mesa’s nomination.
According to the Chamber, the confirmation of Mesa is the business sector’s best hope for moving PAG terminal operations outsourcing and port efficiency enhancement measures forward.
The confirmation hearing will be conducted by the Committee on Tourism, Military, Veterans and Foreign Affairs Committee chaired by Sen. Tony Unpingco, R-Santa Rita.
Mesa is the general manager of the Guam Premier Outlets and holds leadership positions in the Guam Chamber of Commerce, Guam Visitors Bureau, Rotary Club of Tumon Bay, Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, and Guam Crime Stoppers.
"Monte brings an aggressive and pro-growth attitude to the government of Guam, especially as the economy expands and as we take action to improve the port’s capacity," the Gov. Felix Camacho said in a statement supporting Mesa.
Last year, Mesa was appointed by Camacho to replace former PAG chairman Richard H. Northey who was seen by the governor’s office as dragging his feet on the port’s privatization.
The Guam Chamber of Commerce and various port users have already banded together and formed an alliance to back the privatization of the port’s operations. Among the companies that have banded together to support privatization are Horizon Lines, Matson Navigation Co., Marianas Steamship Agency, Ambyth Shipping Co., Inchcape Shipping Services, Marianas Express Lines Ltd. and Seabridge.
Outsourcing efforts for the port began about three years ago, when Public Law 27-60 called for the process of privatization of cargo handling to begin within 90 days.
In December 2005, Philippine-based International Container Terminal Services Inc. topped the bidding for the privatization of the Guam port’s operations and equipment maintenance.
But the port, under Northey and then general manager Joe Mesa later terminated the deal, saying that ICTSI did not stick by the provisions of its original proposal. ICTSI has since filed suit.
Since the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, there has been no movement in the port’s privatization as it is still under litigation.
There have been initiatives made to restart the bidding process but port officials say their hands are tied pending settlement of the suit filed by ICTSI. .