Senator Telo T. Taitague has introduced Bill 208-38, legislation that would authorize an additional one-time $200 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) payment to retirees from Guam’s autonomous agencies and public corporations who were excluded from the previous COLA authorized under Public Law 37-135.
Public Law 37-135 appropriated $1.5 million in excess revenues for the one-time $200 COLA payment to qualified government retirees in Fiscal Year 2024. However, due to language in the measure, retirees from autonomous agencies and public corporations were unintentionally left out. Taitague’s proposal seeks to correct the oversight and ensure parity among all retirees, directing these agencies to issue the payment to former employees who retired as of Sept. 30, 2024, by no later than Dec. 31, 2025.
The measure covers retirees from the Guam Power Authority, Guam Waterworks Authority, AB Won Pat International Airport Authority, Guam Economic Development Authority, Guam Housing Corporation, Guam Retirement Fund, Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port, and Guam Visitors Bureau. Senator Chris Barnett, who co-sponsored the bill, said his office had received numerous complaints from retirees who were excluded. “Many constituents have shared their concerns with our office about this oversight,” Barnett said. “I'm grateful Senator Telo and I are able to bring this solution forward to ensure fairness for all of our retirees. Biba Manamko!”
Senator Taitague said the measure reflects the community’s respect and appreciation for its manåmko’. “How we treat our retirees says everything about who we are as a community,” she said. “This action is a simple, timely way to show respect, relieve a little pressure at the checkout line, and reaffirm that Guam takes care of its own.”