THE legal drinking age on Guam is now officially 21 following the signing of Bill 389, which raised the minimum drinking 
age from 18.
Acting Gov. Mike Cruz yesterday signed into law Bill 389, which is now Public Law 30-156 titled “Ramon Oberiano Act.” The law took effect immediately after the signing.
In compliance with Air Force Instruction 34.219 and newly enacted Guam legislation, Andersen Air Force Base is also changing its alcohol consumption policies effective immediately.
“Our airmen and family members under 21 years old have been very responsible with the privileges available here on Guam,” said Brig. Gen. (Sel) John Doucette, 36th Wing Commander, “I know that I can trust them to exhibit responsible decision-making as they abide by the new alcohol consumption laws.”
The drinking age law was named in honor of Ramon Oberiano, who was killed by a drunk driver on Dec. 23, 2006 while riding his bike.
Members of the Oberiano family were present at the signing.
Vice Speaker BJ Cruz, the bill’s author, said he realized that the bill's passage was bittersweet, but that it is a "momentous occasion for Guam."
"I know that this is bittersweet and I wish we didn't have to dedicate it to anybody. I wish we had done this a long time ago before we lost your son, your husband and your father, but I'm glad the legislature supported me in finally doing this. I'm very happy that the governor and the lt. governor have supported it," said Cruz.
Dr. Tom Shieh, president of the Guam Medical Association, said the passage of the bill is an historic day. "It's important for us to realize that this is such an important day for Guam. It's a brighter day for Guam, especially for the youth of Guam," he said.
Shieh, showing his support to Oberiano's mother, said that hopefully this would be a time for healing as well.
Speaker Judi Won Pat, who was also present at the signing, said that it wasn't difficult for all her colleagues at the legislature to support the bill.
"This bill had the full support of our colleagues and I think the most important thing we all realized was that this bill will save lives. It's unfortunate that it had to take a life for this day to come in, the creation of a law that will save lives," said the Speaker.
The law does not stop young adults age 18 and above to frequent establishments that serve liquor, nor does it stop young adults who work in such establishments to quit their job. However, liquor establishments are not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages to 18 to 20-year-olds.
Two other bills were signed into law yesterday. Bill 356, now Public Law 30-154, rolls back the hours of sale of alcoholic beverages on the weekends from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m. And Bill 357, now Public Law 30-155, places a penalty imposed on those establishments that violate the selling of alcohol after certain hours. Establishments that violate the law can expect the suspension or revocation of repeated violations of their license.
