According to the Daily Yomiuri, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan was “all smiles” when the lower house, led by his Democratic Party of Japan, approved the $1.1 trillion budget.
However, in order for the budget to go into full effect, the upper house must now pass the entire budget by March 31. The upper house of the Japanese Diet is controlled mostly by the opposition.
In addition, the Daily Yomiuri reported that 16 DPJ rebels abstained from voting and would be punished because of it.
Consolidated Commission on Utilities Chairman Simon Sanchez was in Tokyo over the weekend and met with Diet members during which the $420 million budget for Guam’s wastewater and water system upgrades was discussed.
While there, Sanchez said he discussed the possibility of the budget moving forward but was told that some financing issues with the upper house still needed to be worked out.
“The budget itself has not been passed by the full Diet because they have to deal with some financing to the budget,” said Sanchez in a telephone interview with Variety while he was still in Tokyo.
“But the lower house did pass the $420 million appropriation for Guam Waterworks Authority as part of their budget but until the full Diet passes it, it’s still uncertain,” he added.
Sanchez said he remains encouraged that appropriations for the island’s wastewater upgrades has made the next hurdle and is hopeful the upper house will cooperate in passing the entire budget.
The $420 million appropriation for Guam’s water system upgrades is a necessary tool in ensuring the military realignment moves forward.
Sanchez also expressed his dissatisfaction with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011 that asks for $300 million in exchange for Fena Reservoir, among other Navy-controlled water and wastewater facilities, as well as for a 33 percent Secretary of the Navy representation on the CCU board.
