Some departments in governments have exceled as COVID-19 brought unforeseen challenges this year.
We have noted and been grateful for those government employees who are responding to emails and messaging with speed, efficiency and requested information literally day and night.
Our thanks go out to heads of agencies and their staff who deal regularly with us.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has shared regulations, deadlines and statistics for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as they have become available, as have the Departments of Labor in Guam and Saipan.
Either from the offices of the presidents, or through our correspondents we have brought you as much information as we can on what is happening in each of the islands in Micronesia, and where relevant (as it often is) what is happening in Japan.
Other island government departments have revealed new needs — or inherent weaknesses that were amplified by the months-long demands of various stakeholders such as our citizens and our businesses.
In Guam, the departments we turned to frequently would include the Guam Department of Labor and the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation.
The Guam DOL has a special projects coordinator — Hannah Cho — who fields our queries as quickly as she can.
Guam’s Rev&Tax does not have a special projects coordinator or a PIO, though it should, since its lead team and department heads are often overwhelmed.
With President Donald J. Trump’s signature of the second stimulus package DOL and Guam’s Rev&Tax (together with Guam’s Department of Administration) will once again be at the forefront of assessment and distribution of vital funds.
While it is hoped that a system is now in place and will proceed more smoothly once it can start with dispersing funds, existing government manpower resources should be channeled to both agencies.
We hope a PIO is included for Rev&Tax. mbj
