DPW under pressure

A legislative oversight hearing is putting the spotlight on the Department of Public Works, as lawmakers dig into ongoing challenges with permitting delays and abandoned vehicles. 

DPW director Vincent Arriola says just 10 employees are handling occupancy permits, construction inspections, business licensing checks, and elevator compliance — a workload he admits is stretched thin.

Despite that, Arriola says some permits for single-family homes can still be processed in as little as 5 to 7 working days. But he points to bottlenecks outside DPW's control, including backlogs at Guam EPA, the Department of Agriculture, and the State Historic Preservation Office — along with incomplete applications and design changes from applicants.

Efforts to modernize the system have also hit a setback. A proposed online permit tracking platform was stalled after a bid protest and never moved forward. DPW is now exploring a rebid or possibly building the system internally to avoid procurement delays.

Meanwhile, the long-standing issue of abandoned vehicles may soon see movement. DPW has entered a $2 million agreement with Guam EPA to privatize removal efforts, identifying several companies ready to take on the job.

Arriola says the capability is there — now it comes down to getting the process moving.