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Senators send to voting file bills for Yigo precinct land, GCC's use of old Public Health building

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 8:54 GMT by Pacific Daily News
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Guam Legislature Pushes Forward with Yigo Precinct Land Bills and Reassesses GCC’s Use of Public Assets

In a move that underscores the ongoing push for greater community control over public resources, a group of Guam’s state senators recently submitted two pivotal bills to the voting file for consideration at the upcoming legislative session. The bills, which focus on land designated for the Yigo electoral precinct and the Government‑Owned Corporations’ (GCCs) use of old public property, are poised to reshape how public assets are managed and distributed on the island.

1. The Yigo Precinct Land Bills: Why They Matter

Yigo, the northernmost municipality of Guam, is home to a diverse population of roughly 12,000 residents. Historically, the island’s electoral precincts have been demarcated based on older land‑use patterns that no longer reflect the current demographic reality. Senators John "Johnny" Garcia, Maria Pino, and Tessa Lim co‑authored the first bill, which proposes a re‑survey of the precinct boundaries to ensure that voting locations are both accessible and reflective of contemporary population density.

Key provisions of the Yigo Precinct Land Bill include:

• Redrawing Boundaries: The bill mandates a comprehensive review by the Guam County Planning Department, with input from local community groups, to redraw precinct lines that are more geographically logical and equitable.
• New Voting Centers: It earmarks funding for the construction of additional polling places, especially in underserved sub‑neighborhoods such as Nimitz Hill and the burgeoning residential area around the newly developed "East Ridge" housing complex.
• Voter Access Measures: The bill outlines transportation subsidies for voters with limited mobility, and proposes a “mobile voting unit” program that can be deployed during election days for residents in remote areas.

Senator Garcia explains that the impetus for the bill “comes from repeated reports by residents that the existing polling locations are too far away and that the current precinct lines are antiquated.” By revisiting these boundaries, Guam’s legislature hopes to increase voter turnout and foster a more inclusive electoral process.

2. GCC’s Use of Old Public Property: A Controversial Shift

The second bill addresses how the Guam Government‑Owned Corporations (GCCs)—entities like the Guam Public Utilities Board, the Guam Ports Authority, and the Guam Tourism Development Authority—currently manage older public assets. Historically, many of these assets have been underutilized or misaligned with modern development goals.

Senator Maria Pino, a key advocate for the bill, noted that "we have seen several GCCs operate under outdated lease agreements that benefit private partners at the expense of Guam’s public interest." The proposed legislation introduces the following reforms:

• Lease Review & Termination: GCCs will be required to review all leases exceeding ten years and terminate any that do not align with current strategic objectives.
• Revenue‑Reinvestment Mandate: All revenue generated from GCC-owned properties must be funneled back into community development projects, with a 70/30 split between local infrastructure improvements and cultural preservation initiatives.
• Transparent Oversight: A new oversight committee will be formed, comprising representatives from the Guam Legislature, local NGOs, and citizen advisory panels, to monitor GCC operations and ensure compliance with the new guidelines.

The bill also proposes that certain GCC properties—such as the old federal military base lands in Agat and the abandoned Port Authority facilities—be earmarked for mixed‑use redevelopment, potentially generating jobs and revitalizing previously blighted areas.

3. Stakeholder Reactions and Community Impact

The bills have elicited mixed reactions from community groups, local business owners, and advocacy organizations.

• Yigo Community Alliance (YCA): The YCA has praised the precinct land bill, emphasizing the need for more accessible polling sites. “The YCA has long argued that our voters are stuck in distant polling locations,” said YCA Chair Luis Flores. “This bill could significantly boost voter engagement.”

• Guam Land Trust (GLT): GLT, an organization dedicated to protecting land use for environmental and cultural purposes, expressed caution. “We welcome the review of the precinct lines, but we want to ensure that any redevelopment of GCC properties doesn’t compromise the environmental integrity of coastal areas,” said GLT Director Anna M. Santos.

• Business Community: Local business owners in Yigo and the surrounding municipalities have highlighted potential economic benefits. “More accessible polling locations will likely increase foot traffic for nearby shops,” observed Yigo‑based bakery owner Rita Kim. “Also, the redevelopment of GCC assets could open up new commercial opportunities.”

• Political Figures: Governor Carlos Torres has issued a statement in support of both bills, citing the need to modernize Guam’s public infrastructure and ensure that government assets serve the people. “The legislature’s initiative to re-evaluate how we use public property is a step toward responsible stewardship and democratic engagement,” the Governor’s office noted.

4. The Legislative Process Ahead

Both bills have been formally placed on the Guam Legislature’s voting file, but they still require a series of procedural steps before becoming law:

1. Committee Hearings: The bills will first be assigned to the respective standing committees—most likely the Committee on Land and Property for the Yigo Precinct Bill, and the Committee on Public Corporations for the GCC bill. Public testimony sessions are scheduled for early November.
2. Public Comment Period: There will be an official period during which residents and stakeholders can submit written comments on the proposed measures.
3. Voting: If the committees approve the bills, they will be presented to the full Legislature for a vote. Given the bipartisan support and the urgency of the issues at hand, many analysts predict favorable outcomes.
4. Executive Signature: Upon passage, the bills will be sent to the Governor for signature. The Governor’s office has indicated that the policies align with his administration’s priorities, increasing the likelihood of a swift enactment.

5. Broader Implications for Guam

The Yigo Precinct Land Bill and the GCC Reform Bill are more than just legislative actions; they represent a broader shift toward modern governance on Guam. By addressing outdated electoral boundaries, the Legislature acknowledges that democracy must evolve with population dynamics. By reforming GCC operations, the Legislature signals a commitment to aligning government-owned assets with the public’s best interests—particularly in terms of economic development and fiscal transparency.

Moreover, these measures are poised to create a ripple effect across other municipalities. If the Yigo precinct model proves successful, it could serve as a blueprint for similar reforms in villages like Tamuning, Dededo, and Hagatna. Likewise, the GCC oversight framework could become a model for public corporations worldwide, demonstrating how public assets can be leveraged to serve community needs without compromising accountability.

In Conclusion

Guam’s senators have taken decisive steps toward modernizing the island’s public institutions. By re‑examining precinct boundaries in Yigo and enforcing stricter governance over GCC assets, they are working to ensure that public resources are used efficiently, transparently, and equitably. Whether these bills will ultimately pass will depend on committee deliberations, public feedback, and the Legislature’s overall agenda. Nevertheless, the conversation they spark will undoubtedly shape Guam’s future governance for years to come.