By Jacob Nakamura
(Tumon, Guam) Last week Congressman Michael San Nicolas wrote to the governor asking her to declare Guam an economic injury disaster and to avail of federal funding and loans to help the island's small businesses.
The backbone of Guam's economy has been emaciated by the COVID-19 emergency, workers have been furloughed or laid off, and the governor still has not acted on the request.
The following is a news release from the Office of Congressman Michael San Nicolas, followed by his follow-up letter today to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero on the matter:
As of March 20, 2pm EST Guam still has not been declared an official disaster by the Governor, with only 2 states having done so.
In a letter Congressman San Nicolas urges the Governor to declare Guam in disaster status, to unlock special FEMA and SBA aid that required such designation.
"FEMA has a disaster unemployment assistance program that can provide resources to our people who have lost their jobs due to this crisis," opened Congressman San Nicolas. "The SBA has disaster financing programs that can help businesses stay open to prevent more people from losing their jobs," Congressman San Nicolas added. "Both of these disaster programs need the Governor to initiate a disaster declaration for Guam so that the process can begin for subsequent federal recognition," Congressman San Nicolas added.
"I hope this happens soon, processes can take time and our people need help now," Congressman San Nicolas concludes.
