John P. Aguon is the incoming director of the Guam Contractors Licensing Board. Photo by Althea EngmanThe new executive director for the Guam Contractors Licensing Board, expressed assurances that the board is working diligently to address concerns of delays and other issues that have been raised in audits and by the community.
John P. Aguon told the Journal, “CLB understands the importance of getting people back in business especially after COVID-19. The attitude at CLB is that we definitely do not want to hold progress for anybody, especially with business we know employ people with families.”
The typical application approval process might take one or two days. If further investigation is needed it might take a little more time. “But again, it does not take long,” he said.
Aguon also expressed his thanks to the Office of Public Accountability for helping to identify weaknesses in a November audit report. He said the CLB is working hard to correct them.
“The CLB is addressing the issues, and some may take more time than others, but will handle it accordingly,” he told the Journal.
Aguon is the most recent appointee after Ciriaco "Chuck" Sanchez Jr. replaced former executive director Cecil “Buddy” Orsini. In his Oct. 11, 2023, letter to the Contractors License Board, then-acting Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio said Aguon “possesses all that is necessary to assist the board in increasing efficiencies in carrying out its statutory duties.”
Orsini resigned in 2022 following a highly public protest of a Guam International Airport Authority's baggage handling system contract. An OPA decision on that procurement noted serious concerns of Orsini's alleged involvement in the contract. The OPA’s November audit report makes note of the protest, noting its resolution but also pointing to other issues.
In 2021, 240 contractors held the C-68 classification license, a specialized designation for contractors in unique building trades not covered by other classifications, the audit said.
“It was found that the CLB has been issuing these licenses even though the C-68 classification had not been properly adjudicated in the CLB’s rules and regulations. As of calendar year 2023, 233 contractors held the C-68 classification license even though the CLB lacked the authority to issue these licenses, revealing a long-standing procedural issue,” according to the audit.
Aguon, in his response to the report, pointed out that work has started and the CLB will continue the adjudication process through to completion.
In 2022, the CLB board had started work to address the issue and stopped processing C-68 applications in April 2022, and proposed revisions are under review. In August 2022, a statement was issued allowing those with a Specialty Classification C-68 to continue their work until the CLB finalizes the evaluation of its Rules and Regulations. The decision aimed to serve the public interest and prevent services from being denied while the CLB adjudicated the rules and regulations.
Aguon also said that work on other concerns had either been started by Sanchez or himself. The OPA’s recommended changes included:
Update examinations to align with Guam's adopted 2009 edition of the International Building Code and/or current industry practices and regulations;
Align standard operating procedures and application packets to ensure uniform procedures and eliminate disparities between documents;
CLB management [to] adopt appropriate procedures to maintain documents used to support the issuance of contractor’s licenses to new applicants in line with statutes. This includes updating the CLB checklists attached to folders, as well as keeping applications collectively together.
Creating literature that clearly states the duties and authority the executive director should have over licensing and investigation procedures and have such literature approved by the Board;
Updating the CLB’s standard operating procedures for handling consumer and CLB complaints; and
Creating a systematic recordkeeping process similar to procurement files, including documenting all steps and using checklists for consistency to improve organization and tracking of case status during investigations.
Aguon also responded to the Journal regarding concerns of delays that have plagued the board for several years and most notably during the COVID-19 public health emergency. While licensing is crucial for the private sector and specifically construction and related businesses — which were allowed to operate through the closure initiated as part of the emergency — the CLB was not considered an essential service. Its closure made it difficult to approve license applications.
According to Journal files the CLB had other problems including the board not meeting for months at a time, in some instances, due to a lack of quorum to make important decisions. Aguon told the Journal that the board currently has “no issues making a quorum.” Additionally, the board tries to meet at least once a month and accommodates board members who are off island by allowing them to participate via an online meeting platform.
“If there are bigger cases that need more discussion, they work together, not necessarily at a table, but through email or a phone call to ensure a proper decision is made,” he said.
The Guam Contractors Licensing Board includes Bernard S. Benavente, board chairman; Rena Borja, board vice chairwoman; Selina Ashland, board member; Matthew C. Cruz, board member; Vincent P. Arriola, ex-officio for the Department of Public Works; and Dafne Shimizu, ex-officio for the Department of Revenue & Taxation.
The Guam Contractors Licensing Board includes Bernard S. Benavente, board chairman; Rena Borja, board vice chairwoman and realtor at At Home Realty; Selina Ashland, board member and general manager at Marianas Gas Corp. which does business as Island Equipment Co. ; Matthew C. Cruz, board member and vice president/business development manager, Bank of Guam; Vincent P. Arriola, ex-officio and director for the Guam Department of Public Works; and the director for the Department of Revenue & Taxation, also ex-officio.
The Contractor’s License Board mission statement, according to its website, “safeguards consumers by regulating the construction industry through policies that promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the public in matters relating to construction.” mbj
