Guam slowly returns to normal after Sinlaku; some agencies still face challenges

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Government agencies and learning institutions on Guam are slowly resuming their operations one week after Super Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall. While some schools and agencies have reopened their doors, others continue to face challenges that limit their operations.

Nine public schools to reopen

The Guam Department of Education has cleared nine schools to reopen on April 22.

Elementary Schools: Liguan Elementary School, Merizo Martyr Memorial School, Wettengel Elementary School and Ordot Chalan Pago Elementary School

Middle Schools: V.S.A. Benavente Middle School, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School and Inalahan Middle School

High Schools: Okkodo High School and George Washington High School

J.M. Guerrero Elementary School, J.Q. San Miguel Elementary School and M.U. Lujan Elementary School will remain closed until further notice.

Students will be provided with learning packets, learning prompts, and/or instruction through Google Classroom or schoology to support continued learning during the closure period. Grab-and-Go meals will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at designated school sites to support students and families during this time.

Catholic schools reopen

Infant of Prague Catholic Nursery & Kindergarten resumed classes on Tuesday. It was the last of the 11 Catholic schools on Guam to reopen after the storm. The Archdiocese of Agana announced the reopening of 10 Catholic schools on Monday.

SIFA resumes classes

SIFA Learning Academy Charter School resumed full in-person classes at the Guam Community College campus on Tuesday following Typhoon Sinlaku.

“Our priority has always been the safety and learning continuity of our students,” said Anthony Jay Sunga, SIFA's CEO. “Even in the face of natural disruptions, we ensured that learning never stopped.”

As a STEM-focused charter school, SIFA LACS said it is committed to maintaining continuity of learning in all situations.

During the typhoon, the school quickly implemented asynchronous learning protocols, allowing students to continue their studies safely from home and at their own pace.

Two senior citizen centers remain closed

The majority of senior centers on Guam now have power, water, telephone, and internet services restored, according to the Division of Senior Citizens of the Department of Public Health and Social Services.

The following centers will reopen and resume normal operations effective April 22: Agana Heights, Astumbo, and Yigo (congregating at Astumbo Senior Center, Dededo, Hågat, Mangilao, Santa Rita-Sumai, Sinajana, Tamuning, Yona and Talo’fo’fo.

Inalåhan and Malesso’ Senior Center remains closed due to low water pressure. Inalåhan and Malesso’ congregate hot meals are available through the Grab and Go service at Malesso Senior Center.

For assistance or more information, contact the Division of Senior Citizens at 671-735-7415/21 or email Biba.SeniorCitizens@dphss.guam. Seniors and families may also contact the Senior Center at 671-475-6266 for support and service updates.

DRT is almost back to normal

All divisions at the Department of Revenue and Taxation are now fully operational except for the Driver's License Examination Branch, which continues to experience issues with its technology infrastructure resulting from Typhoon Sinlaku.

DLEB can schedule written tests, issue permits, process driver's license certifications, and release certificates of registration. Late fees will be waived for license holders affected by DLEB’s technology issues. 

DRT's technical team is actively working with vendors and information technology experts to resolve DELB issues and restore normal operations.

Consumers can contact DRT's Call Center for inquiries about DLEB's operational status by calling (671) 6351840 / 1841 or emailing pinadmin@revtax.guam.gov

Island Leadership Day rescheduled

Due to the impacts of Typhoon Sinlaku, the Department of Youth Affairs has rescheduled Island Leadership Day, originally planned for April 24, to May 8.

Island Leadership Day involves middle and high school participants to be youth counterparts to Guam’s leaders in the administration, the Guam legislature, and mayors' offices. This experience will provide our island’s future workforce with a glimpse of the day-to-day operations and skill sets required for a high-functioning and responsive government.

Students registered for Island Leadership Day will receive additional details regarding time, location, and any itinerary updates via email.

For questions, please email stephanie.lorenzo@dya.guam.gov or call (671) 635-4392/3 or 477-9557/8.

Reporting requirement waived for Guam's SNAP beneficiaries

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has authorized Guam to approve automatic mass replacements of 63 percent of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for residents who lost food due to the flooding.

“This is one of many recent steps USDA has taken to ensure Guam residents in need have food to eat,” USDA said.

The USDA granted flexibility, waiving the requirement that SNAP households report food losses individually.

SNAP participants in areas hardest hit by the disaster may have a portion of their April benefits replaced. SNAP recipients residing in other affected areas may request replacement benefits by filing an affidavit with the local office attesting to disaster-related loss.