HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Guam Del. James Moylan has sent letters to Guam Power Authority General Manager John Benavente and Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero informing them that the continuing resolution for the federal government, enacted at the end of September to avoid a partial government shutdown, included $16 billion for disaster relief for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“This money will be spread according to need across the United States. As such, it is crucial that any damages caused by Typhoon Mawar that have not been reported and filed with FEMA are filed at once. As the longer claims are not filed, the higher the chance that other, more recent, natural disasters take precedence over our long-term recovery. This will include the wildfire in Maui, recent hurricane in Florida and the floodings in New York,” the delegate stated in his letters.
Moylan asked that his office be alerted should GPA or any other government entity experience delays in receiving federal funds to be allocated due to the disaster relief fund shortage earlier in the year. He said his office can work with GPA, the governor’s office and FEMA to get disbursements needed to recover and mitigate future disasters. If any agencies are making new claims, Moylan asked to know so that his office can assist with the process.
“My team and I are at your disposal to help in any way that we can. I thank you for your continued partnership and in working to recover from Typhoon Mawar and mitigate future storm damage,” Moylan stated to both Benavente and the governor.
The Guam Daily Post has asked GPA and the governor’s office if the power utility or any agency was still waiting on FEMA money. The Post was pending a response as of press time.
James Moylan
