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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 17, 2021 – Hagåtña, Guam) Speaker Therese Terlaje has issued the following statement regarding Substitute Bill 36-36 (COR) AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE A COMMERCIAL SUBMERGED LAND LICENSE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF GUAM AND TELEGUAM HOLDINGS LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS GTA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF LANDING SUBMARINE CABLE AT ALUPANG, TAMUNING, GUAM, which is now Public Law 36–46:

“Bill 36–36 (COR) was substituted by the Committee on Land on July 22, 2021 after many hours of painstaking research to ensure that Guam is represented fairly for territorial submerged leases and rights of way moving forward, consistent with industry practices globally.

It is my hope that Public Law 36-46 will be a milestone for the advancement of telecommunications on Guam.  I fully support the effort to afford opportunities to expand global connectivity through our island with the advancement of the lease of submerged lands and rights of way that is safe for our environment and most importantly, fair for beneficiaries of the CHamoru Land Trust and for all the people of Guam.  With the proceeds of the license agreement authorized in this bill going toward the development of infrastructure on CLT property, I will continue to work diligently to protect our fragile coral reefs, our ocean biodiversity, and its surrounding ecosystem. I will continue the work to establish and protect viable sources of revenue and funding by converting this potential into sustainable agriculture and affordable housing.  

Thank you to Senator Joe San Agustin for the introduction of this important measure and to my colleagues for their support.  Thank you to GTA for taking the leap forward in setting the bar higher for this industry to partner with our community moving forward.  Thank you, Governor, for your support. I look forward in the near future to seeing this tremendous effort and cooperation result in the tangible progress and restoration of hope for the CHamoru Land Trust and all the people of Guam.”