WE need to pay our COLA people, and we need to pay them now. This has gone on for far too long. The people who have worked hardest and longest and who have provided decades of loyal service to our island are being systematically ignored. Ignored is even too nice a word to call what our government has done to them. Disrespected and insulted them is closer to the mark.
I have many friends and loved ones who have been denied the COLA payments owed to them over and over. When is this intolerable behavior going to stop? I know our island is financially strapped right now, but the COLA people are a priority, a top priority.
I have talked with personnel in Gov Guam and heard many stories about how the budget cannot support all of the COLA payments at this time. Well, if that is the case, then we need to find the money. Senator Lujan has proposed a bill that will at least put some money in the hands of COLA designees. So what is our government waiting for, let’s get the bill going so people can start receiving their COLA money. Some money is better than none, right? My auntie who has yet to receive a COLA payment since she retired would love just to see some sign of good faith from our government.
If Jesse Lujan’s bill can deliver this, then the government needs to make it happen. These retirees worked hard for us and now it is our turn to work hard for them and give back to them.

NESTOR GOGUE
Agat, Guam