By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

WITH or without legislative appropriation, the Department of Public Works has to carry out its ongoing projects leading to the construction of a new solid waste landfill in compliance with the Ordot Dump consent decree, DPW project manager Cynthia Jackson said yesterday.
Jackson was responding to Democratic senators’ call for an investigation into DPW’s road project in Dandan, which they said is not legally funded.
The Democrats maintain DPW cannot use government funds for any project that doesn’t have a legislative appropriation.
“I’m so glad they acknowledge that there is no legislative appropriation. Given the amount of work and the deadlines that we have to meet, we need to expedite the landfill project,” Jackson said.
The consent decree requires Guam to shut down Ordot Dump and build a new municipal solid waste landfill by October this year. DPW is seeking to amend the agreement and is requesting for deadline extension, but has yet to receive a response from the federal government.
“The whole consent decree has no legislative appropriation but it is against the entire government of Guam, and that includes the Legislature,” Jackson said. “Even if they choose not to appropriate funds for this project, that still doesn’t stop us from complying with the consent decree. We have a legal obligation to comply.”
Sen. Ben Pangelinan, D-Barriagada, has asked the Attorney General’s Office to conduct an investigation into DPW’s road construction, saying no public bidding was held for the project. Sens. David Shimizu, D-Inajarajn, Tina-Muna Barnes, D-Mangilao, and Rory Respicio, D-Agana Heights, have asked the natural resources committee chaired by Sen. James Espaldon, R-Tamuning, to hold an oversight hearing.
The road project is aimed at providing access to the selected landfill site for further hydrological survey.
“The road project is not on legal right of way and it’s not for public use. We’re building a temporary road for the safety of our employees and equipment,” Jackson said.
She said the project contract was obtained through proper procedures and review process by the Bureau of Budget and Management, the AGO, and the governor’s office.
“If there’s any violation of the procurement process that we didn’t catch, then everybody else who reviewed the contract didn’t catch it either. If no one caught it, then everybody is guilty,” she said.