The Guam Department of Agriculture and the Department of Administration have so far processed $650,000 in crop loss compensation for 59 farmers on Guam, with an average payment of $11,000, according to a release from the Office of the Governor. More payments are being processed, as a total of 131 farmers will be compensated for Typhoon Mawar related losses through the Crop Loss Compensation Program, the release added. 

Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio presented checks to some farmers on Friday. 

"Finally, we are able to cut through the red tape and get these payments processed. No matter what, I am sorry for the hardship that everyone experienced during the disaster, and we fought to compensate our farmers to the maximum amount," Tenorio stated in the release from the governor's office.

"I am pleased to report that the Guam Department of Agriculture and the Guam Department of Administration have begun giving payments to farmers under the Crop Loss Compensation Program. This program was made available by funds set aside in the budget by Sen. William Parkinson and was able to be pushed out to help farmers recover from Typhoon Mawar," Tenorio added.

Parkinson introduced a measure appropriating $2 million from the Rainy Day Fund to Guam Agriculture for the purpose of funding the compensation program. The measure was enacted at the end of June as Public Law 37-19. However, payments were delayed due to a conflict between administrative rules on the maximum amount that can be paid out to farmers, according to the release from the governor's office.

A recent legal opinion from Attorney General Douglas Moylan ultimately resolved that conflict. Moylan determined that local laws provide for a maximum compensation of up to $20,000 for crop losses attributed to Mawar.

"I had a chance to meet with farmers today to talk about ways to improve the responsiveness of this program and to find ways to continue expanding the number of ways we can help them get back to agricultural production. I am confident that in these next few months, we will be able to see our agricultural sector recover even better than before," Tenorio stated in Friday's release from the governor's office.

Source - https://www.postguam.com