Guam trade mission to meet local biz leaders

Written by Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo / Special to the BusinessMirror

AROUND 150 business leaders from some of the country’s major companies are expected to participate in a three-day conference with a Guam trade mission, from Tuesday to Thursday at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati.

Guam Gov. Felix Camacho will lead the trade mission of prominent Guam businessmen, some of whom already have business ties with Filipino companies. In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Peter Sgro Jr., president and chairman of the International Group Inc., and a key organizer of the trade mission, said the conference will reach out to Philippine business leaders interested in the island and who have not met or dealt with Guam representatives nor have visited the island.

Referring to members of the trade mission, Sgro added: “Our companies have been doing business in the Philippines for close to 10 years now, and we are often asked about business opportunities on Guam.” He said recent credit-rating reports and economic assessments by Standard&Poor’s, Fitch Ratings Agency and Moody’s Investors’ Service “all indicate the Philippines remains economically stable despite the global financial crisis, and our interactions have included serious expressions of interest to invest in Guam.”

Beginning June 30, a variety of experts will discuss opportunities on Guam in the areas of technology, medical services, real estate and construction, agriculture, captive insurance and the coming military buildup.

An estimated 8,000 jobs are seen to be opened for Filipino skilled workers once the US Marines begins transferring its base from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam. The transfer—including the construction of housing facilities, infrastructure, recreational facilities, schools and the like—is estimated to cost about $787 million.

One featured speaker is Jose Ricardo “Ricky” Delgado Jr., president and chief executive officer of Manila-based Citadel Holdings, who oversees the company’s telecommunications subsidiaries in Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands.

He will talk on his experiences and success at doing business in Guam.

According to Sgro, some of the Manila-based firms which confirmed their participation in the conference are Stradcom Corp., Petron Corp., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Citadel Holdings Inc., Penta Capital Investment Corp., HP Diagnostic, Chemical Industries of the Philippines, Land Registration Systems Inc., Saludo Fernandez Aquino & Taleon Law Offices, and the office of the Philippine representative of the Asian Development Bank.

“Our focus is to invite executive-level individuals to the conference that are already familiar with Guam, but need additional information and encouragement to include Guam in their plans to invest abroad,” Sgro said.

Governor Camacho, while not on an official visit to the Philippines, will meet with chief executive officers of Philippine companies interested in Guam.

Joining Sgro in the trade mission to Manila is Franklin Arriola, chief executive officer of Pacific Rim Brokers Inc., which imports and distributes the Mama Sita’s line of marinades, mixes and sauces in Guam. He will discuss opportunities in agriculture and aquaculture.

David Silva, resident manager for Century Insurance Co. (Guam) Ltd., a subsidiary of Tan Holdings Corp., which has offices in Manila, will discuss the captive insurance and financial-services markets in Guam.

“Over the last few years, several of us, in different capacities have met with business professionals in Manila. We’ve gone through the Guam 101, telling of the three-hour flight, US laws and good banking and telecommunications infrastructure. With the Guam buildup and the many calls I’ve been getting about opportunities here, the timing is appropriate for Guam 202. We hope to connect specific Guam business opportunities to Manila businesses,” he said.

Also a prime mover of the trade mission, Maureen Maratita, publisher of Glimpses Publications, said the Manila conference is timely. “I was approached by a prestigious medical expert in the Philippines who is interested in a closer relationship with the medical community in Guam. I am glad there is an opportunity for him and others we are in contact with to hear firsthand how they can invest in Guam and bring their unique expertise to the island at the same time.”

Guam Buildup Funding approved at Congress Committee

Action At Last: Congress Takes First Step To Fund Guam Buildup
By Jeff Marchesseault - Guam News Factor

GUAM - Local media reports broke news today that the House Armed Services Committee had unanimously approved a $550.4 billion 2010 National Defense Authorization Act for submission to the full House.

By virtue of its sheer inclusiveness, the massive defense-spending plan includes hundreds of millions of dollars portending the relocation of 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam and includes some adjustments in spending levels on island.

According to today's Pacific Daily News, the committee-approved bill allocates $446 million for the construction of a new Naval Hospital on Guam. That's up from an earlier version of the bill that had allotted $259 million for the same project. However, the revised legislation also reduces Apra Harbor Wharves improvement from an initial $167 million to $127 million.

By today's estimates, the Marine migration at the heart of Guam's five-to-seven-year buildup is projected to cost over $10 billion. The House Committee's unanimous 61-0 decision this week to approve partial Guam funding for consideration by both full houses of Congress is a crucial ice-breaker which at long last demonstrates that our nation's lawmakers are paying attention to Guam and the critical role the island plays defending our nation in the midst of shifting global security objectives.

But, as Guam News Factor has repeatedly commented, the pressure and the focus is now squarely on Congress to make the timely funding decisions that will bridge the transition from Okinawa to Guam over a five-to-seven-year buildup that only just begins next year. And those billions in allotments must include everything from military housing for new troops and their families to civilian infrastructure, sustainable development plans, and social programs that will help mitigate the impact on Guam society as the island population swells to nearly a quarter million during the rapid development.

This story contains contributions from John Dela Rosa.

Company execs lobby for rejection of H-2 fee bill

THREE company executives are lobbying the legislature for the rejection of a bill that would impose a $20,000 fee on each H-2 worker who will be brought into Guam.

Road builders are fixing a portion of Marine Corps drive in this file photo. With the impending military buildup, Guam is witnessing a construction boom, but sue to the labor shortage, local construction companies are compelled to bring H-2 workers from Asia.

by Therese Hart Marianas Variety News Staff

Thomas Anderson, Jr., executive vice president of Black Construction Corporation and Irene and Dave Hicks, small business owners, are urging senators not to support Bill 48, which is expected to be heard in today’s session.

Bill 48, if passed into law, would impose a $20,000 annual fee for each H-2 worker and “is a devastating blow to any tightly run business,” said Anderson.

“There are many small businesses in our community. There are only few a big ones. Everyone one of them has manpower requirements and a number of them bring in H-2 workers to work for them,” Anderson said.

“If you put this huge levy on H-2 workers on a small business, they can’t afford to cough up that money just to bring somebody in. If they can’t- that means they don’t have enough workers so their business is going to diminish. It’ll affect everyone across the board,” Anderson added.

He said that if companies pay the $20,000 fee to bring in H-2 workers, they can’t absorb that immediate cost and transfer that cost off to their clients.

“These people are not going to be able to sustain their business. So you’re not only not going to have H-2 workers, but you’re going to have local workers who are working right now, are going to be unemployed,” said Anderson.

Anderson said the bill, if passed into law, would cause an unemployment effect for the entire island. “That is a bigger problem than the H-2 problem because you’ve got hundreds and hundreds of small businesses and they are dependent on these people to run their business,” he said.


Most vulnerable

Anderson said the small business community on Guam will be hit the hardest if the bill become law.

“The small business community on Guam support and drive our economy. They survive in the market place with extended owner participation and competitive pricing in spite of limited working capital, fluctuating revenues and escalating labor and material costs,” he said.

Anderson said Bill 48 can send small businesses into a downward spiral that it sometimes cannot overcome and will eventually force closure.

“The reality is that in today’s world, Guam’s small businesses have become heavily dependent upon H-2 workers to supplement their local workforce to meet requirements of sufficient qualified personnel,” said Anderson.

Anderson said that the huge increase in labor costs either cannot be immediately met or absorbed, “thus rendering the business incapable of operating. The real danger in effectively closing or shutting down a small business will result in increased unemployment of local workers who will not have a job because of a business shut down.”


Skilled workers wanted

Irene and Dave Hicks, owners of America’s Best Electricmart, Inc, have three H-2 workers. The Hicks’ offer an electric motor repair service.

“We can’t find someone with the skills. What this would do to us, if we had to pay $20,000 for H-2 workers, we’re no longer going to be able to provide our service. The reality is our major customer is not the federal government, is not the Department of Defense, although we do some work through their subcontractors,” said Dave Hicks.

Hicks’ customers are mostly local commercial businesses, like the hotels—any business that runs an electric motor.

“If I have to pay $60,000 to bring in H-2 workers, I can’t charge my customers three times the amount; they’d go out and buy new motors. We have 12 people working for us, three are H-2 workers and it adds to our bottom line. If I can’t have H-2 workers, it impacts the rest of our team of local workers.

“The Middle-Class Job Creation Act will become the Guam Unemployment Act. Bill 48 is not good for Guam’s economy which means it is not good for Guam’s people,” he said.

= = =

Senator Rector, DO Quit Your Day Job

Written by Guam News Factor Staff Writer

Wants to stick it to the man

Misleading Guam's Working Class: Rector Bill Will Destroy Guam's Economy And Lose More Jobs Than It Promises To Create

GUAM - Guam’s working class hero is at it again. As the self-proclaimed champion of the Guam wage earner, Senator Matt Rector promises his bill will create jobs for Guam’s middle class. His proposed cure all, Bill 48 seeks to raise the fee to import transient laborers to Guam from $1,000 to $40,000—or even $20,000, his recent compromise. His proposal: Increase the alien registration fee to the Nth degree and discourage employers from hiring off-island.

Confident in his cause, the freshman senator recently initiated a mass email campaign urging the community to rally behind the measure that he claims will create thousands of high paying jobs for our local people and would funnel billions of federal dollars into Guam’s economy.

While his legislation is an entertaining read, what Rector fails to realize is that his cavalier antics are putting local employees in the line of fire. Rector’s bill proposes most of the dollars of these high fees will be deposited into the general fund.

Portions of the fees currently in place are put into a fund that directly supports work force training programs. The effects of Bill 48 will distress more than the employer who will be at a disadvantage when recruiting workers at staggering rates. What the bill proposes to do is eliminate the only local funding source dedicated to skills training. Rector’s ‘stick it to the man’ solution only illustrates his limited focus.

Not only does the bill do away with local training, it stands to force Guam’s local companies out of business.

Rector claims his measure will raise local wages and force employers to hire locally before elsewhere. What he fails to consider is the shortage of local trained, skilled workers with experience who are able to handle the demands of the impending buildup. This difficulty coupled with the daunting price tag for foreign workers would leave businesses with their heads barely above water.

As Guam’s leaders work with the Department of Defense to include local business in federal contracts, Senator Rector threatens to make those opportunities impossible. Worse yet, with the passage of this bill, existing companies providing services in Guam's current economy would be forced out of business.

Trade skills push for Guam and CNMI

From November 28, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) will hand control of its immigration system to the US.

Gemma Casas - Australia Network News

The United States Department of Labour is to extend its apprenticeship program to the Pacific territories of Guam and the Northern Marianas.

It is part of a bid to increase the number of skilled workers ahead of the region's multi-billion dollar military build-up project.

The labour department's bureau of apprenticeship and training for Hawaii and Pacific says it will give locals in Guam and the Northern Marianas the skills to drive their tourism and military-based economies.

Immigration

From November 28, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) will hand control of its immigration system to the US.

This could result in a loss of some foreign labour.

Alfred Valles, director of the bureau, says there are calls to train locals for shipbuilding, tourism and casino and gaming industries in response.

Mr Valles says Guam will need at least 15,000 more skilled workers for the $US10 billion military build-up project that the United States and Japan are funding.

Guam Update 13 June 2009 over DWGO

Guam Task Force Head Councilor Ed Piano during interview by Anchorman Romy Guerrero over DWGO AM radio 1008khz.

The recorded audio file was used as voice-over to also present Slideshow of Guam photos

Guam Update 13 June 2009 part 2

Guam Update 13 June 2009 part 3

Guam Update 13 June 2009 part 4

Japanese firms may get in on Guam military housing contracts

By John Yaukey
Advertiser Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Key House lawmakers are weighing a measure that would give Japanese contractors the same access as American firms — in Hawai'i and elsewhere — to more than $2.5 billion in upcoming U.S. military construction projects on Guam.


It's part of a larger plan to move 8,000 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam, starting in 2010.

The contracts are for new military housing on Guam, a U.S. territory that looks to enjoy an economic boon from the move.

But the new construction would require expertise, workers and materials from far and wide, generating jobs wherever the bids go.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, thinks the lion's share of those jobs should go to American companies.

"It's strange that there would be some sort of carve-out like this for the government of Japan," said Abercrombie, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee who is now running for governor. "This has been handled in offices and closed briefings."

Typically, military housing on American territory is built using a 20-year-old public-private arrangement. Private firms — usually American — finance and build the housing in exchange for long-term maintenance and rental contracts.

"It's been win-win virtually everywhere it's been tried," Abercrombie said.

But under an arrangement the House Armed Services Committee is expected to take up in the coming weeks as it debates defense spending, the Japanese would be equal players when the bidding starts for the Guam housing.

Japanese access to the housing contracts would come as part of a deal whereby the Japanese provide $6 billion in financing for the total cost of the Marine Corps move to Guam, now estimated at more than $10 billion and rising.

The driving forces behind the deal are not yet clear.

But the Japanese government has been under intense political pressure to get the Marines off Okinawa since 1995 when three U.S. servicemen raped a 12-year-old girl there, straining U.S.-Japanese relations. In all, the U.S. has about 50,000 military personnel in Japan.

Isle firms could lose out
In February, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a broad agreement with Japan for the move, but Congress must still work out some of the details.

So far, the housing part of the arrangement has not attracted much attention publicly so it's not yet clear how much opposition there is in the Armed Services Committee or elsewhere on Capitol Hill. And the incentives the Japanese have agreed to provide may take some of the sting out of opening up bidding on contracts.

Opening the projects to Japanese companies could mean less business available for some Hawai'i contractors that have done work on Guam military housing projects, such as Watts Constructors LLC. Another firm with longtime Hawai'i ties is dck pacific construction, which has a Guam affiliate involved in military construction projects.

Representatives of both companies did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Military construction projects in Guam, however, typically don't employ Hawai'i residents, even with the drastic industry slowdown in the state, because the wage base in Guam is too low to attract Hawai'i workers.

U.S. military officials have previously said that they wanted to use Guam workers and contractors wherever possible on the relocation project, but acknowledged that Guam's small labor force would probably require using outsiders for some of the work.

Loren Dealy, a spokeswoman for House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., said it's still too early in the defense spending debate to talk about the housing contracts in any detail.

"The chairman doesn't discuss details of what might, or might not, be in (legislation) before it's marked up," she said.

Still, Skelton has raised concerns about the size, scope and cost of the move to Guam, as has the Marine Corps' top officer.

"At over $10 billion, it is an enormous project, and I am concerned that the thinking behind it is not yet sufficiently mature," Skelton said at a recent hearing. "We need to do this, but it needs to be done right."

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway recently told House appropriators that the move may not be complete by the 2014 deadline, raising the specter of further cost overruns. Originally estimated at $4 billion, the $10 billion cost has already more than doubled.

Guam delegate weighs in
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office concluded Guam's infrastructure — roads, ports, electrical grid and waste facilities — would be highly stressed by the influx of the Marines and their dependents.

The move could raise Guam's population of roughly 170,000 by as much as 10 percent.

All that got the attention of Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam, who has said she has been reassured by top officials that the military buildup on Guam is on track.

"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and numerous other policymakers have all pledged their commitment to the realignment of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam," she said in a statement issued immediately after Conway's comments.

Advertiser Staff writer Andrew Gomes contributed to this report. Reach John Yaukey at jyaukey@gannett.com.

In Your Voice
Read reactions to this story

johnathebeach wrote:
What about Waikiki jobs? The builder of Trump tower brought in Romanians to do all the tile work, while local workers sit at home on unemployment. How come the local media never cover this?06/12/2009 6:09:32 p.m.


Colschenck wrote:
Does Guam want the Marine? (Continued)..When Mt. Pinatubo errupted and covered Clark Air Base with several feet of ash, DOD considered moving some air force and naval assets to Anderson Air Force Base and the Naval Station in Guam, but Guam politicos said, "No thanks," So Guam got what it wanted. Agana Naval Air Station was closed and was returned to the Government of Guam. The navy ship yard was downsized and much of its repair work transferred to Bremmerton, Washington, Pearl Harbor, and Yokusuka, Japan.

All of Anderson Air Force Base, South, a massive housing area with schools and other community support facilites, also was returned to the GovGuam. We had the facilities to handled the marine relocation but gave them to GovGuam for free. Guam never became tourist mecca of the Western Pacific. When Guam's politicians realized it was a non-starter, they lobbied hard to get the military back in Guam. Let GovGuam pay to get them back.06/12/2009 4:18:39 p.m.

Does Guam want the Marine?

When Mt. Pinatubo errupted and covered Clark Air Base with several feet of ash, DOD considered moving some air force and naval assets to Anderson Air Force Base and the Naval Station in Guam, but Guam politicos said, "No thanks," So Guam got what it wanted. Agana Naval Air Station was closed and was returned to the Government of Guam. The navy ship yard was downsized and much of its repair work transferred to Bremmerton, Washington, Pearl Harbor, and Yokusuka, Japan. All of Anderson Air Force Base, South, a massive housing area with schools and other community support facilites, also was returned to the GovGuam.

We had the facilities to handled the marine relocation but gave them to GovGuam for free. Guam never became tourist mecca of the Western Pacific. When Guam's politicians realized it was a non-starter, they lobbied hard to get the military back in Guam. Let GovGuam pay to get them back. Colschenck

Colschenck wrote:
Should the marines relocate to Guam? Does Guam really want them? A little history.. Back in the early 1990s when Department of Defense announced its 1st round of Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC), mayors, governors, and congressional delegations lobbied hard to retain the bases their states and territories already had and to the get more. But NOT GUAM.

The people in power in Guam in the early 1990s lobbied hard to do just the opposite. They wanted some bases closed and others downsized. Why? Guam power brokers had plans to make Guam the tourist mecca of the Western Pacific and they needed some of the military installations to realize their dream. They wanted Agana Naval Air Station to expand Guam's international airport. and they wanted a portion of the naval base for cruise ship business. At that time, the erruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines forced the closer of Clark Air Force Base and Subic Bay Naval Base with it massive ship yard. More to follow.06/12/2009 3:57:19 p.m.

Port of Guam Awarded $2M in Stimulus Funds

by Peter T. Leach - The Journal of Commerce Online

Money to support fact-finding for modernization projects

The Office of Economic Adjustment awarded the Port Authority of Guam $2 million in federal stimulus funding to bolster its modernization efforts.

The port authority said it will now issue a “Notice to Proceed” to Parsons Brinckerhoff International, which is the agency’s agent/engineer, to move forward with the studies and permits associated with the grant.

The port has already embarked upon a modernization program that calls for nearly $200 million in capital improvement upgrades to the 34-year-old facility and incorporates the port’s updated master plan.

Many projects associated with the modernization program have already been launched to prepare Guam for organic growth along with the anticipated military buildup.

The $2 million will be used to fund a series of fact-finding investigations and studies over the next 12 months to explore and evaluate port development solutions, which are integrated and compatible with the current physical site, environmental, financial and operations constraints.

The information from the fact-finding activities will be used as the basis for port officials and planners to make decisions on the design, procurement and construction of terminal facilities, systems and components.

Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com.

Guam Waits For JGPO To Issue Buildup EIS

Written by Stefan Sebastian - PDN
Guam-- A federal study on the possible environmental impacts of the pending military buildup on Guam is seeing continued delays.

The Natural Resources Subcommittee for GovGuam's Civilian Military Task Force got an update this afternoon on the study from the Joint Guam Program Office. The program office's legal counsel says the study was the focus of high level meetings in Washington, DC, about two weeks ago and federal officials are close to issuing a draft. However, he says there are still several points they need to address before the draft is released for public review.

The subcommittee's Chairman, Tony Lamorena, says GovGuam already has a consulting firm in place to review the environmental study. And he is recommending to the governor that he ask federal authorities for more time to examine it after it is released.

LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT FOR OLONGAPEÑOS

Over four thousand (4,000) Olongapeños and from neighboring provinces such as Bataan and Zambales trooped to the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) for the Special Recruitment Activity (SRA), a part of Mayor James Gordon, Jr.’s job and opportunities assistance program for the people of Olongapo.

The activity was a joint effort of the Subic IT Council headed by Engr. Jay Son, WOW Card Inc., Public Employment Services Office (PESO), Bagumbayan Volunteers and the City Council’s Committee on Labor and Employment.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. through the Public Employment Services Office (PESO), headed by Evelyn delos Santos, thousands of job seekers were served, including the former US base employees, who are given priority on the Guam project.

Twenty thousand (20,000) skilled workers are needed to fill in jobs created by the impending transfer of the US military facility in Okinawa, Japan to Guam. In line with this, an on line registration was also conducted which made the processing of applications fast and easy.

“Patuloy nating ilalapit sa mamamayang Olongapeño ang mga trabaho sa pamamagitan ng PESO. Ito ay bahagi ng naisin ko na maiangat ang pamumuhay ng ating mga kalungsod,” Mayor Gordon said.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chd5FkuY5yc
Nineteen (19) Overseas Recruitment Agencies and thirteen (13) Local Companies participated in the Special Recruitment Activity (SRA), in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment(DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Technical Skills Development Agency (TESDA) and PESO skills Training.

Here's the link for those who have signed up to date:

http://guam-ofw.blogspot.com/search/label/REGISTER

Play videos below to watch Mayor Gordon's Update

Gordon Guam Update part 1 www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gordon Guam Update part 2 www.OneTrueMedia.com

Japan may get buildup jobs: Congress debates giving access to housing projects

By John Yaukey • PDN Washington Bureau

Key House lawmakers are weighing a measure that would give Japanese contractors the same access as American firms to more than $2.5 billion in upcoming U.S. military construction projects on Guam.

It's part of a larger plan to move 8,000 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam, starting in 2010.

The contracts are for new military housing on Guam, which looks to enjoy an economic boon from the move.

But the new construction would require expertise, workers and materials from far and wide, generating jobs wherever the bids go.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, thinks the lion's share of those jobs should go to American companies.

"It's strange that there would be some sort of carve-out like this for the government of Japan," said Abercrombie, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee who is now running for governor. "This has been handled in offices and closed briefings."

Joshua Tenorio, who works for one of the major contractors on Guam, said local firms should be given priority for the military contracts.

"After all, the people of Guam will have to live with this change in the long term," said Tenorio, director of business development for Core Tech International.

Yet, Tenorio said it was no surprise that Japan would want a substantial part of the projects to go to Japanese firms.

"I just hope, if they were to be guaranteed a portion of the pork, that they be required to subcontract projects to small businesses on Guam," he added.

Clifford Guzman, vice president of technical operations at the Guam-based GPS Group, said his main concern is for local companies to be able to partner with the military contractors, whether American or Japanese.

"I'm hopeful that Guam-based companies will improve their competencies so they can participate in these projects," Guzman added.

Typically, military housing on an American territory is built using a 20-year-old public-private arrangement. Private firms -- usually American -- finance and build the housing in exchange for long-term maintenance and rental contracts.

Guam Task Force - Our contractor contact is a partnership between US, Japan and Guam companies, so whatever will be the outcome of this talk, we are in business.

U.S. firms could face Japanese competition for GUAM military contracts.

The Department of Defense during the past year has awarded more than $458.69 million in Guam contracts. Since some of the contracts also involve work elsewhere, the adjusted value of the Guam contracts is about $413.27 million. This list does not include common military operating expenses on Guam, such as money paid to the Guam Shipyard for ship maintenance, the $72.67 million paid to existing Naval base contractor DZSP 21 last December for its support services or a $60 million 2-year food contract to Guam's Quality Distributors:



3/19/08

Company: Reliable Builders, Inc. Tamuning, Guam


Amount: $8,029,000.00


Work: Upgrade Northwest Field infrastructure, phase II, Andersen Air Force Base.


Estimated completion date: November 2009.



3/25/08

Company: DCK Pacific, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii


Amount: $24,588,717


Work: Potable water system recapitalization at Naval Base Guam. Replacement of existing water lines with larger sized lines. New emergency generator and new concrete building for the Navy Lake Pump Station. Installation of zone water meters. Replacement of vertical pumps with horizontal pumps. Installation of pressure reducing valves for water lines feeding the Sasa Valley, X-ray Wharf and Polaris Point.


Estimated completion date: April 2010



4/21/08

Company: CDM Constructors, Inc., Carlsbad, Calif.,


Amount: $36,239,200


Work: Wastewater treatment plant repairs and upgrade at Naval Base, Guam. Restore the Apra Harbor wastewater treatment plant to its original design capacity and operational capability, upgrade the process components and equipment to provide reliability and efficiency of operation, and meet Environmental Protection Agency wastewater treatment requirements.


Estimated completion date: May 2010



5/14/08

Company: TEC, Inc., Joint Venture, Charlottesville, Va.,


Amount: $16,849,851


Work: Option year two for architect-engineer services for environmental planning. After exercise of this option the total cumulative contract amount will be $23,150,149. Contract contains two additional one-year option periods which if exercised, will bring the total contract value to as much as $40,000,000. Work is predominantly in Guam (95 percent)


Estimated completion date: May 2009



6/23/08

Company: Helix Electric, Inc., San Diego, Calif.,


Amount: $52,687,000


Work: Harden electrical system, main Naval Base, Guam. Design and construction to the primary electrical distribution system serving critical operational facilities on the base to mitigate typhoon damage.


Estimated completion date: July 2010



8/20/08

Company: Core Tech International Corp., Tamuning, Guam


Amount: $41,956,600


Work: Replace housing units at Old Apra, Phase 2, Naval Base, Guam. The family units will consist of single and duplex family housing units. Contract contains one option at $7,633,400 which may be exercised within 180 calendar days, bringing the total cumulative value to $49,590,000.


Estimated completion date: September 2010



9/11/08

Company: DCK Pacific, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii,


Amount: $33,150,728


Work: Design and construction of a fitness center at Naval Base Guam. To include a new consolidated indoor fitness facility, an outdoor 50-meter 10-lane swimming pool with change house, a lighted outdoor synthetic playing field, and an outdoor running/jogging track. The fitness facility will include a lobby/reception area; basketball/volleyball courts with spectator seating; fitness equipment spaces/group exercise areas; locker rooms; support spaces to include laundry, storage, and bathrooms; administrative spaces; and activity spaces to include snack/vending machines and a multipurpose room.


Estimated completion date: December 2010



9/18/08

Company: DCK Pacific Guam, LLC, Barrigada, Guam


Amount: $15,399,603


Work: Repair and alteration of existing facilities to administrative offices for the Joint Region Marianas Headquarters at Nimitz Hill. The facilities will include administrative spaces, operations center, and conference rooms for approximately 300 people. The contract also contains one option, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $18,649,630.


Estimated completion date: March 2010



9/25/08

Company: Rome Research Corp., Rome, N.Y.


Amount: $6,593,440


Work: Operation and maintenance support for facilities operating under Naval Computer & Telecommunications Station Guam.


Estimated completion date: September 2011



10/03/08

Company: Pacific Program-Design Management Services J/V, Pasadena, Calif.


Amount: $100,000,000


Work: Planning support, Geographical Information System support, surveying support, real estate support and environmental support. The primary project locations for work on this contract are in Guam, (80 percent)


Estimated completion date: September 2013



12/23/08

Company: Sherlock, Smith and Adams, Inc., Montgomery, Ala.


Amount: $9,795,558


Work: Develop and design documents for construction of a replacement naval hospital, including inpatient medical/surgical, labor and delivery care, acute/intensive care units, outpatient primary and specialty care clinics, emergency medicine, support functions, and medical logistics. After award of this modification, the total cumulative task order value will be $15,020,301.


Estimated completion date: January 2010



2/2/09

Company: TEC, Inc. Joint Venture, Charlottesville, Va.,


Amount: $25,000,000


Work: Contract for the Guam buildup to support the relocation of the U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam. This includes environmental impact documents, environmental studies and technical services which may include, but are not limited to, preliminary site assessment studies, feasibility assessments, and engineering services with associated multidiscipline architectural and engineering support as required. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $65,000,000.


Estimated completion date: May 2011



3/12/09

Company: Pacific Program-Design Management Services JV, Pasadena, Calif.


Amount: $5,727,416


Work: Prepare the technical sections of the Request for Proposal contract documents for the design-build acquisition at NCTS Finegayan and Apra Harbor, Guam. The project at NCTS Finegayan prepares for the Finegayan USMC Bachelor Enlisted Quarters area. Apra Harbor project will upgrade the existing utilities to support the Marine Corps embarkation capability package on Guam.


Estimated completion date: Aug. 31, 2009



3/20/09

Company: Computer Sciences Corp., San Diego, Calif.,


Amount: $28,889,625


Work: Operation, maintenance, support and management of the OCONUS Navy Enterprise Network (ONE-NET), Far East Region. Most of the work will take place in Japan, but 12 percent will take place on Guam.


Estimated completion date: March 2010



4/30/09

Company: Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Greeley, Colo.,


Amount: $53,787,000


Work: Design and construction of new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at Naval Base Guam. The multistory building will provide 140 two-person rooms for 280 E1-E3 service members.


Estimated completion date: May 2011

Our turn to comment

Gordon: 8,000 hires for buildup: Olongapo City could be source for experienced workers
By Bernice Santiago • Pacific Daily News
In Your Voice Read reactions and GIVE COMMENT to this story

cybersubic wrote:
Replying to donbjr95:
I see obvious points of concern right away:"Former Subic Bay workers who could be hired have been trained in ship repair, road building, carpentry, masonry and in the operation of power plants and airports"

(Like..ah...these people are at or near retirement age?)

Senior Subic Bay workers (those that were able to work for US Bases 15 yrs and above) were able to immigrate to the US, some went to Canada or Australia while others became contract workers in the Middle East.

The younger ones who did not qualify for US greencard and those who volunteered to rebuild the facility stayed to work at the Subic Bay Freeport which was immediately created in 1992. It is now considered to be the world’s best example of alternative use of former military base.

Many of those former navy workers who intends to participate in Guam buildup are in their forties. While the newly trained are from younger generation obviously.06/06/2009 1:23:01 a.m. CST

cybersubic wrote:
Replying to donbjr95:
I see obvious points of concern right away:"Former Subic Bay workers who could be hired have been trained .."

(Like..ah...these people are at or near retirement age?)

Subic Bay under Gordon adapted the US Navy way of doing business since the workers left by the military pull-out are already familiar and have already proven that it was the most effective and efficient way of completing the tasks.

Thus even when the Americans left; Subic Bay’s Standard Operating Procedures (Safety, Security, Traffic,Sanitation, Office Procedures, etc) are patterned after the Navy’s way of doing things.

This explains the huge number of trained manpower pool of Subic. Many of these workers are NOT jobless, they are continually honing their skills….. but they signified their intention to participate in Guam buildup because of their natural urge to be involved and face the challenges brought about by the unprecedented construction boom in Guam.06/06/2009 1:18:11 a.m. CST

cybersubic wrote:
Replying to donbjr95:
I see obvious points of concern right away:"Every two weeks, an additional 250 welders are trained."

(Two weeks does Not make a skilled welder...)

Two weeks may not make a skilled welder… But two weeks can provide for the basic but very important foundation and gives them the feel if this is the job for them.

After completing the two weeks basic SMAW, they continue to either OJT, take the level II, or move to any of the specialized equipment in the shipbuilding project such as FCAW, MIG, TIG or other automated welding process.

To date, we have supplied 6,800 workers to Hanjin Heavy Industries, they have completed building the US$1B shipyard and went on to successfully build four cargo ships, the 5th, 6th and 7th in the works. And if you will ask about our graduates’ safety record, we are proud to report that they were NOT the cause of any of the 19 fatal accidents in Hanjin which has 16,000 workers.06/06/2009 1:12:22 a.m. CST

cybersubic wrote:
Replying to donbjr95:
I see obvious points of concern right away:"Every two weeks, an additional 250 welders are trained."

(Two weeks does Not make a skilled welder....)

This representation completed the US Navy welder apprentice program, graduated with highest honors and became the 1983 Welder of the Year. I went on to be a welder trainor at Royal Saudi Navy, National Manpower Council, and presently at Tech Edu & Skills Dev Authority.

TWO WEEKS or 80 hrs is the standard duration to train and be certified in ANY of the welding process. Our four highly qualified Trainors’ work experience would add up to more than a hundred years,… it’s the knowledge, skill, ability and experience that is being passed to the trainees. They are highly motivated and with unquestionable dedication.

We are the recipient of 2007 TESDA National Award because of our training innovations and high degree of employment of our successful graduates.06/06/2009 1:05:16 a.m. CST

cybersubic wrote:
Replying to donbjr95:
Like most agendas coming out from the Philippines, it appears self-serving and money hungry inspired. I wonder where these characters from Olongapo City get all their travel/hotel/ammenities funding? USAID?

As to donbjr95’s last comment, I could not justify a serious reply to such an insult, its similar to a joke we picked up during our trip, that GUAM means Give Us American Money! (I believe in my hearth it’s a joke so no offense meant!)06/06/2009 12:55:51 a.m. CST

FOKAIRACING wrote:
Replying to laolao:
TAGALO ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!Work hard @ all times.To all you haters watch ya gonna do???????Come to AGAT and ask for LAOLAO.

Yeah, I FUC_KED HIM UP ALREADY. I guess this time I'll break your fingers so you wont type no more. BIT_CH.06/05/2009 9:26:14 p.m. CST

CaptJerry wrote:
Replying to nationalist2009:
I totally agree and gladly accept your nomination. My platform will be simple: "Do what is right for the entire population of Guam and not just for the favored few!" 06/04/2009 11:20:03 p.m. CST

xxxshark wrote:
Replying to cruzinlaw:
Where did you get your definition of H-2 as UNSKILLED? do your homework.google.com, now do your homework

Some people do homework and only plagiarize what they read from "google" or other sources. People are under the mistaken assumption that H2 means "unskilled" workers when it is only a classification between H1 (skilled) and H2 (unskilled), which is only a separation of classification of having degreed workers (H1), whereas H2s do not. H2 covers both skilled and unskilled workers.

H2 mainly refers to temporary workers from foreign sources, but they are often skilled, mainly used as temporary alien construction workers. You don't hire primarily unskilled workers in construction. You can't just take many unskilled people off the street and make them labor to build things...it just wouldn' work. You hire SKILLED H2 masons, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, etc.

Homework doesn't stop at a simple definition.06/04/2009 2:12:47 p.m. CST

U.S. Military Cargo Returns To Guam From Subic

Guam - The cargo used by members of the U.S. Military during Exercise Balikatan 2009 in the Philippines will arrive back on Guam Wednesday night.

The military cargo will be unloaded throughout tWednesday night and into Thursday by Port Authority of Guam operations employees and then transported to the military bases here on island.

The military cargo was shipped out of Guam in March and sent to the Philippines for Exercise Balikatan 2009, the annual bilateral military exercise that enhances the military capabilities for the United States and the Philippines. Following the exercise, the items were loaded on the MV Cape Nelson at the Port of Subic Bay and sent back to Guam. The entire operation for the shipment of the military cargo was handled by the U.S. Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC).

“The Port Authority of Guam continues its efforts to obtain strategic designation by the U.S. government and this operation bolsters our case that Guam’s commercial sea port is a critical part of our national security efforts in this region,” said Glenn A. Leon Guerrero, Port Authority of Guam general manager. “We are proud to have been a part of this crucial exercise and we look forward to helping our military partners with similar operations in the upcoming years.”

The cargo includes High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (Humvees), ambulances, cargo trucks, construction equipment and containers filled with many other items used during the exercise.

Earlier this year the Port Authority of Guam began its quest for designation as a U.S. Strategic Port, in recognition of its critical role for Guam and the Mariana Islands and its strategic importance to national security. This designation will increase Guam’s priority for federal funds and will greatly benefit our local economy as well as our nation’s military preparedness. U.S. officials have not yet made a determination on the request. Pacific News Center

Comments still pouring in

cruzinlaw wrote:

Replying to gryyrg:

Replying to cruzinlaw:

Replying to islandboz:

Guess they have to hire more H2 workers from the P.I. Guam lack skill workers.

Guam could use more H-1 workers (skilled). Not H-2 which are unskilled by definition
Where did you get your definition of H-2 as UNSKILLED? do your homework.

google.com, now do your homework
06/04/2009 6:42:02 a.m. CST

 

 

ICEMAN671 wrote:

Replying to GOLDENCHELU:

To Goldenchelu:
Yea right, and if McArther had just packed up and left, and the US has skipped Guam, both would now be speaking Japanese.

Replying to CaptJerry:

I don't know why you guys are getting so mad at Mayor Gordon. Actually, he's saving your behinds! You don't have the skilled labor force on Guam to do what needs to be done; he does. Plus, they will work a heck of a lot harder and cheaper than the normal Guam citizen, and they will consume a lot less rice. You lost your Ship Repair Facility years ago because of wage issues and the lack of a skilled labor force. U.S. Navy ships now go to Singapore or elsewhere for repairs.

You know ,We wouldn't be having this conversation if Mr MCarthur back during the WW2 would of just shut his mouth and got back on his boat or plane instead of say to the Phillipines"I will return" A moment in U.S. History we can do without !!!

06/04/2009 2:48:34 a.m. CST

 

nationalist2009 wrote:

Replying to MilitaryGuy:

Interesting concept! Guam needs to elect someone non Chamorro. Then maybe true progress will happen and corruption will cease once and for all. Our politicians are connected to one another that's why they are obligued to do the"favor" mentality or "I will scratch yours and you scratch mine" policy.

With the huge impending influx of foreign workers to Guam, it appears that Filipinos will easily become an ethnic super majority on Guam in the coming years. This may spell trouble for Guam's traditional ruling elitists who have simply “taken” for decades now without acting in the people's [or the island’s. 
Call it what you will but I smell some potential payback coming – most likely in the form of many more Filipino Senators being elected to serve in the Guam Legislature. A Filipino Governor is a distinct possibility in the coming years as well. Time will tell if this is true progress for Guam.

06/04/2009 1:41:37 a.m. CST

 

GOLDENCHELU wrote:

Replying to CaptJerry:

I don't know why you guys are getting so mad at Mayor Gordon. Actually, he's saving your behinds! You don't have the skilled labor force on Guam to do what needs to be done; he does. Plus, they will work a heck of a lot harder and cheaper than the normal Guam citizen, and they will consume a lot less rice. You lost your Ship Repair Facility years ago because of wage issues and the lack of a skilled labor force. U.S. Navy ships now go to Singapore or elsewhere for repairs. Here's your chance to grow that labor force (albeit H2 workers) and get your Ship Repair Facility back. Stop thinking like a bunch of stupid haoles (hey, I resemble that!). Think long term and at the strategic opportunities that lay ahead for the island.

You know ,We wouldn't be having this conversation if Mr MCarthur back during the WW2 would of just shut his mouth and got back on his boat or plane instead of say to the Phillipines"I will return" A moment in U.S. History we can do without !!!

06/04/2009 1:17:23 a.m. CST

 

CaptJerry wrote:

I don't know why you guys are getting so mad at Mayor Gordon. Actually, he's saving your behinds! You don't have the skilled labor force on Guam to do what needs to be done; he does. Plus, they will work a heck of a lot harder and cheaper than the normal Guam citizen, and they will consume a lot less rice. You lost your Ship Repair Facility years ago because of wage issues and the lack of a skilled labor force. U.S. Navy ships now go to Singapore or elsewhere for repairs. Here's your chance to grow that labor force (albeit H2 workers) and get your Ship Repair Facility back. Stop thinking like a bunch of stupid haoles (hey, I resemble that!). Think long term and at the strategic opportunities that lay ahead for the island.
06/03/2009 11:30:56 p.m. CST

 

guam-ofw wrote:

We all know that had the Americans wanted to stay, they could! The naval base workers' lobby to retain the bases was not adequately supported, which gave us the hint that in reality.... Uncle Sam is NOT INTERESTED.

Now.... Try to imagine if the bases in PI exist today... most probably the BUILDUP is happening in Subic Bay... and Guamanians are in PI working (just like the old days) which we really don't mind, we actually welcome it.... we have many Guamanian friends (I can give you their names in private) and cherrish that relationship.

So please, all we are offering is our services, just in case you will need it, we have no intention of taking away foods from your table.

Our countries' relationship dated back even before white men came into picture (this is history and not a racist statement.) This deeply rooted relationship should be enough reason for us to face the future together.

Again brother.... we are simply offering a hand.
06/03/2009 6:12:34 p.m. CST

 

guam-ofw wrote:

Replying to ICEMAN671:

Replying to islandboz:

Wrong answer, the Americans left the Philippines because they had no more use for it after Russia became a non entity in the nuclear world, and the rent in the Philippines became to high to justify the cost. I was on the Admirals staff while all of that was going down.................

My grudged on the Filipinos is that their government told the Americans to move out of their country.

ICEMAN671 is absolutely right, and to add another fact.... due to the devastation made by Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption on the buildings and the facility as a whole, the cost to rebuild the military base became impractical at the time (it was the straw that broke the camel's back). I was with the US Naval Base Public Works Center at the time... Project Management Office
06/03/2009 6:05:40 p.m. CST

 

ICEMAN671 wrote:

Replying to beach671:

Wow, a local that went and got it

David Tydinco is the Younex Senior Vice President that got the contract along with Agility to provide housing for the H-2's.
He's also the Chairman of the Board for the Guam Visitors Bureau and Legal counsel for the Chamorro Land Trust Commission. President of the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association. He submitted comments on the Federal Register that he's the Chairman of the Board for the Guam Visitor's Bureau about immigration. When he went to Taiwan with Felix he claimed he's the Guam Museum Foundation Chairman as well on that trip.
He knows who he wants and who he's going to bring in. Who ever talks the most cash. That will be Fillapino's. He'd be able to charge them more for rent than a chinese worker or someone else.
He's been getting Chamorro Land for free:
http://guam.mvarietynews.com/images/stories/a00/7/aiadai.jpg
He is Guam. I'm betting he's bringing in Fillapino workers. He likes money

06/03/2009 4:51:14 p.m. CST

 

ICEMAN671 wrote:

Replying to MilitaryGuy:

Already, the Filipinos already have the voter block to elect several senators if not a governor now

With the huge impending influx of foreign workers to Guam, it appears that Filipinos will easily become an ethnic super majority on Guam in the coming years. This may spell trouble for Guam's traditional ruling elitists who have simply “taken” for decades now without acting in the people's [or the island’s] best interest. Additionally, the people who have continually elected these people into power will also no doubt be viewed as complicit. 

Call it what you will but I smell some potential payback coming – most likely in the form of many more Filipino Senators being elected to serve in the Guam Legislature. A Filipino Governor is a distinct possibility in the coming years as well. Time will tell if this is true progress for Guam.

06/03/2009 4:49:58 p.m. CST

ICEMAN671 wrote:

Replying to islandboz:

Wrong answer, the Americans left the Philippines because they had no more use for it after Russia became a non entity in the nuclear world, and the rent in the Philippines became to high to justify the cost. I was on the Admirals staff while all of that was going down.................

My grudged on the Filipinos is that their government told the Americans to move out of their country, which they do not want, Americans in their country but just the money.

06/03/2009 4:36:43 p.m. CST

 

roforon wrote:

Just flash your "Bogus" degree, and get a high paying job. Leave your country that needs your support and come here and enjoy the benefits given. Make more babies, have fun in the sun, bring all your families and relatives. Have your own little community, and look down on others who less fortunate.
I know, I think I'll go live in Hawaii. I was Born & Raised on Guam.....but the outsiders are more qualified to eat and sit on Uncle Sam's hands. Oh gee, oh well. Poor li' ol' me and my native Guamanians.
06/03/2009 10:52:16 a.m. CST

 

DaneJiRoos wrote:

I_C_U_TRIPPIN, 

Put that GI bill to use and get that education. Then use that education to get yourself a civilian job so you won't have to cry, b*tch and moan to a civilain for having been deployed. Or just man up and take it like a true soldier coz you should have known what you signed up for.
06/03/2009 1:57:11 a.m. CST

 

simonbolivar wrote:

Replying to fchase:

Careful what you say, many haoles on the mainland think this way about Chamorros. This is wrong on all accounts! 

H2 workers get anchored in Guam. Eventually they bring their wife and 8 children to Guam. The breadwinner earns $20k a year. The family vacuums up $70K in public education each year and taps into a variety of local and federal social programs. Then come additional sponsored family members. More U.S. taxpayer money gets sucked up. No one will deny that they're a hardworking, talented people but the overbreeding, poverty relationship is obviously of little or no concern. Stay in your own country and improve it? Can't. No time. Too many kids to feed. Solution? Like Mexico and Latin America.....export your poverty. Export the same breeder culture that turned your country into an economic black hole.
06/02/2009 9:03:25 p.m. CST

 

goodearth wrote:

Now is the time to take up "How to be a carpenter in 30 days" courses. If you can swing a hammer, you are on your way to a fat paycheck. 

06/02/2009 8:32:31 p.m. CST

 

gryyrg wrote:

Replying to cruzinlaw:

Replying to islandboz:

Guess they have to hire more H2 workers from the P.I. Guam lack skill workers.
Guam could use more H-1 workers (skilled). Not H-2 which are unskilled by definition
Where did you get your definition of H-2 as UNSKILLED? do your homework.
06/02/2009 6:01:18 p.m. CST