GUAM Buildup OFW

No more qouta for Guam worker's visa

2009-12-03T22:53:00.004+08:00

Guam Exempt from National Cap on H-2B Workers

Guam- Guam is now exempt from the national cap on applications for non-immigrant visas. PL 110-229, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 went into effect on November 28, 2009.

Prior to the exemption, applications had to be filed prior to the October and April cap openings in order to be considered for approval by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Local employers may now file at any time during the year with the Guam Department of Labor for approval of a Temporary Labor Certification and authorization to import H-2B workers with US DHS.

The legislation was enacted to give employers the ability to temporarily meet increased manpower needs that will come as Guam ramps up for the impending military build up. The exemption will likely be critical, as Marine relocation construction projects will tap all available local and regional construction resources.

Although the exemption is in effect, local filing requirements and program procedures remain relatively unchanged. For more information, contact GDOL’s Alien Labor Processing and Certification Division Administrator Greg Massey at 475-7005. Specific information on the program is also available online at www. guamdol.net under the alien certification section. pacificnewscenter.com

Guam Department of Labor Director Greg Macey discussing labor related issues with Mayor Bong Gordon.

Guam law allows temp labor certification

by Heather Hauswirth - kuam.com

Guam - Local employers will now have the ability to temporarily meet increased manpower needs that are necessary for the impending military buildup. Public Law 110-229 (The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008) took effect on November 28, lifting the national cap on applications for non-immigrant visas.

According to the Department of Labor, this means local employers can now file requests for temporary labor certification and authorization to import H-2b workers with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security throughout the year. Prior to the enactment of the law, applications had to be filed prior to the October and April cap openings.

DOL officials say this exemption is critical to meet the needs of the impending military buildup.

RP companies eye $15-b Guam buildup

2009-11-26T17:21:00.002+08:00

Local construction companies hope to get a big share of the contracts in the $15-billion military buildup in Guam.

Anthony Fernandez, president of the Philippine Constructors Association Inc., told reporters yesterday that local contractors would likely be tapped as sub-contractors in the Guam construction with American and Japanese companies getting all the big projects.

“I am hopeful that Philippine contractors would get a big share of the contracts in Guam. A lot of the local companies are interested. The Guam buildup is a one-time opportunity that we should not miss,” said Fernandez at the sidelines of the business forum on “Opportunities in Guam for the Philippine Construction Industry” in Ortigas yesterday.

Senator Judith Guthertz, chairman of the committee on Guam Military Build-Up, said Guam would need at least 15,000 Filipino skilled workers until 2014, excluding projects funded by the Japanese government.

She said every billion dollars spent on the project would generate 5,000 to 10,000 new construction jobs.

The Guam project, however, poses a major challenge to the local construction industry.

“This is a challenge for us, not only the project itself but the possible drain on our human resources. We have a lot of engineers and skilled workers but these resources are not infinite. We need to keep training our people, we have to replace our workers that are being deployed abroad,” said Fernandez.

He said with global economies starting to pick up, demand for skilled Filipino workers such as engineers and welders would increase from traditional markets like the Middle East and even from neighboring countries in the region.

“Three to four years ago, the construction industry was hit hard by the exodus of skilled workers overseas but at the same time, we cannot hold these workers from pursuing more better opportunities abroad,” said Fernandez.

He said given the strong demand for Filipino workers, the challenge now was how the local industry could serve a growing market for such skills sets.

“There is the Guam buildup and at the same time, there is the foreseen surge in construction activity in the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries now that global economies are recovering. On top of that, there is the constant domestic construction requirements that we have to address,” said Fernandez.

He encouraged industry players to take advantage of the opportunity and be ready to meet the requirements of the US government.

“It is not as simple as taking a plane to Guam. The standards would be different, rules would be different,” said Fernandez.

Meanwhile, Guthertz said qualified US residents would have a first crack at the jobs to be generated out of the military buildup.

“We will look for qualified US residents first before hiring other nationalities. But it is not as simple for American workers to uproot their lives and work in Guam. Besides, the US economy is starting to pick up so there should be other opportunities in the job market,” said Guthertz.

She said contractors who want to participate in the buildup must sincerely commit to field skilled workers and take care of them before sending these workers overseas. She said the workers must have contracts, adequate housing facilities and other benefits.

“Guam does not have enough skilled construction workers to address the buildup requirement,” said Guthertz. by Elaine Ramos Alanguilan - Manila Standard Today

Guam military buildup to benefit Filipino constructors

2009-11-26T16:56:00.000+08:00

Filipino constructors want to get a huge slice of the $15 billion military buildup in Guam that would open at least 15,000 jobs for Filipino construction workers.

But Anthony Fernandez, president of the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), cautioned that this might trigger shortage in construction workers, especially engineers, who in recent years have been lured to lucrative jobs abroad.

This also comes at a time when the construction markets here and abroad are expected to boom following recovery from the financial crisis. These markets, he said, need to be served all at once.

"The challenge for PCA now is how it can manage to serve the military buildup and other construction markets in other parts of the world… (and in) making sure to have people (here and) develop the nation," said Fernandez, president and chief operating officer of First Balfour Inc.

Fernandez said three or four years ago, the local construction industry was been hit hard by the exodus of experienced and skilled construction workers, from engineers to welders, to jobs in the Middle East.

"Contractors have to keep training their workers to replenish the ones going abroad," Fernandez said.

He said Filipino contractors are hopeful to get a big share in the contracts but noted that they are willing to be just subcontractors.

"The rules and standards are different," he said. Investing in Guam requires them to incorporate and set up a local office, and abide by the laws set by the US, including in their procurement of services and materials. BY IRMA ISIP - MALAYA

EIS: 33,000 new jobs by 2014

2009-11-25T21:39:00.001+08:00

BY LAURA MATTHEWS • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS

Guam's unemployment rate will drop by more than half in 2014 as the buildup creates thousands of jobs, according to the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed, multibillion-dollar military expansions on the island.

With more people paying income taxes, and as businesses pay more taxes and fees, the draft Environmental Impact Statement estimates that government of Guam will generate $325 million in 2014 revenue alone -- an increase of about 60 percent of its current annual budget.

In the recently published Defense Department document, which contains thousands of pages, Guam's unemployment rate is assumed to fall to 4.0 percent when Guam residents and off-islanders start taking on jobs associated with the military buildup.

The unemployment rate was last recorded in September 2007 and is estimated to be 8.3 percent, according to the document.

Guam's population is expected to soar -- with 79,178 additional people in 2014. That is approximately half of the current population.

The buildup, according to the EIS, may include the relocation of 8,600 Marines and their 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam. An Army ballistic missile defense facility and a facility for recurring visits of an aircraft carrier are included in the proposed expansions.

The quality of life for many residents will improve as the buildup is projected to provide approximately 33,000 jobs for civilian workers at the 2014 peak, according to the draft EIS. An additional 6,150 jobs will be provided on a "more permanent basis" thereafter.

Guam residents are estimated to occupy about 2,000 direct on-site construction jobs for the Marine Corps facilities between 2013 and 2014.

Similarly, excluding direct on-site military construction, residents are expected to capitalize on 2,566 jobs during the 2014 construction boom. The related jobs "include civilian military jobs, direct from purchases jobs and indirect or induced jobs."

An additional 2,211 jobs will be made available by 2020 for Guam residents, as the 15,157 jobs that will be occupied by off-islanders during the boom, will decrease to 3,935 that year, as estimated by the EIS.

Guam Olongapo Alliance

2009-11-19T19:45:00.002+08:00

Mayor Gordon holds the "key" to Guam given by Guam Officials during his recent visit to the island.Guam Legislature recently passed a resolution approving the Sisterhood Alliance with Olongapo City

Guam officials headed by Senator Eddie Calvo handed the symbolical key of the city of Guam in connection with the Sisterhood with Olongapo to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. last November 13, 2009 marking the start of a strengthened and harmonious relationship between Olongapo City and Guam.

Guam Contractors To Train Filipino Labor For Buildup

2009-11-16T23:05:00.003+08:00

Guam Contractors Association Wary of Training Too Many Guamenians for construction work

Guam - The Guam Contractors Association says there is such a thing as training too many local skilled laborers.

GCA president James Martinez tells the Pacific News Center during interview that their goal is to train just enough skilled laborers to handle Guam's current construction needs and it's construction needs after the buildup.

The reason for this according to Martinez is because h-2 workers can simply go home when the buildup wanes and jobs run thin. The same can't be said for local skilled laborers who might end up jobless once the construction boom ends.

This is another indicator that Guam officials are realizing that it simply is impractical to prepare their people for a job that will last for three to four years only. That they rather prepare their people for a more perment job which is after the construction phase.

This is good news to our manpower force especially in the construction sector because it simply means that Guamenians will not be interested in filling-up the construction requirement and that they will refocus their preparations to the manpower requirement of facility maintenance.

In another article by By Jeff Marchesseault of Guam News Factor entitled:

Guam Contractors To Train Filipino Labor For Buildup

It Says That Island Firms Are Teaming Up With RP Government

Guam-based contractors will "serve as resource speakers" during government- and industry-sponsored training programs for Filipino construction workers.

The Philippine Construction Association and the Department of Trade and Industry have coordinated the training with Guam contractors.

This is what we are working on, the latest visit of Mayor Bong Gordon and Senator Richard Gordon to Guam and our Sisterhood Alliance with Guam are geared towards ensuring that necessary preparations for Guam Buildup are taken cared of and the long-term relationship of the two entities are well planned to ensure that both will equally benefit.

Gordon: Grab your opportunities

2009-11-14T13:56:00.001+08:00

'Grab your opportunities:' Developing workforce important to island's success

BY AMRITHA ALLADI • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS

The Guam military buildup can be a boon or a bane, and it's up to the leaders and residents of Guam to seize the opportunities that it offers, said Philippine Sen. Richard Gordon.

Gordon, who is running in the 2010 Philippine presidential race, said Guam's leaders should clearly define the host community's vision for the buildup and what is expected of Guam's residents to achieve that goal, he said.

"If you put people on vision mode ... it's so easy," he said. "You gotta grab your opportunities, make sure that you get the most of it. Don't let them run your show."

And Gordon is speaking from experience.

During his keynote address on the second day of the Guam Community and Economic Development Forum yesterday, Gordon shared the story of how he led Olongapo City from being devastated by volcanic ashes to become the thriving city--complete with an international and industrial port-- that it is today.

Olongapo was originally a "sin city" dotted with strip clubs, lacking industry, agriculture and commerce other than the former Subic U.S. Navy base, he said. While Philippine nationalists resented the American presence, Gordon said he always felt it was better to work with foreign players voluntarily rather than become a "victim" of their influence.

"To me it was a great boon," he said.

But the Subic U.S. Navy base closed there in 1992 following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Gordon said. As mayor of Olongapo, Gordon built a "second city," with the help of about 8,000 volunteers. He brought in billions in investments.

With the help of the volunteers and investors, his city became a magnet for international investments as a free-trade industrial port -- enticing computer and cell phone manufacturers and brand-name companies such as FedEx and Reebok, among others.

"We were able to get back on our feet fast," he said.

Similarly, Gordon said Guam should concentrate on further developing higher education, tourism and business processing industries. If that's done right, Gordon said Guam could potentially become more successful.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

2009-11-14T13:54:00.002+08:00

In the past two days, my inbox was overwhelmed by emails, pati inbox ng mobile phone ko ay napuno din ng messages. Since most of the questions are recurring, I will just put them in the list of Frequently Asked Questions so that applicants will be requested to first read the FAQ before throwing questions.

1. When will actual hiring going to take place?

There are a few hiring going on as we speak such as yard workers (welders, pipe fitters, ship fitters, etc.) for Guam Shipyard and construction workers but right now limited to generator mechanics, heavy equipment operators (earth moving), heavy equipment mechanics and electricians. We are expecting the bulk of deployment in the second quarter of next year.

2. Is the recruitment exclusive to former US base workers?

Not at all. While former base workers have an edge since they are already familiar with the US Mil standard operating procedures (SOP) and can easily adopt to the culture and language, this advantage does not necessarily mean that they have exclusive right to apply.

3. Are there opening for Nurses?

We have not yet received specific requirement for nurses but obviously, when you send 15 thousand workers plus the 8 thousand marines and 10 thousand dependents… you will definitely need nurses to look after their health and medical requirement.

4. How about entertainers?

Almost the same as in the above answer, with more that 30 thousand people additional people on the island, especially with workers and marines…. By experience that we had in Subic and Clark…. We have no doubt about the boom in entertainment industry as well.

5. Is there some sort of placement fee?

Absolutely none. This was emphasized during the industry forum by the Guam Department of Labor. They will ban recruitment agencies that have proven to have charged recruitment fees. Under their law, the employer has to shoulder such expenses.

No recruitment fee will be collected from aspiring workers but a service fee of up to $1,000 will be collected from the construction companies that will hire foreign workers

6. Is there age limit?

Guam being under US, implements the Equal Opportunity Employment Law. Age, Sex or Gender, Religion and handicap will not hinder you from being employed. In fact when we visited Guam Shipyard, there are Filipino workers who are as old as 65.

7. What jobs are going to be opened? And where can we see the job openings?

Mostly construction and warehousing workers in the early parts of the project (2010 – 1013) then maintenance and base workers in general (from office admin – accounting –computers - clerical – security – etc)
Follow below link for list of open positions
http://guam-ofw.blogspot.com/search/label/Job%20Vacancy

8. How is the rate per hour on various positions?

http://guam-ofw.blogspot.com/2009/05/guam-wage-rates.html

9. How do we register?

http://guam-ofw.blogspot.com/2009/07/application-form.html

10. How do we know if we qualified? And do we need a passport?

The employer checks our data base whenever they require manpower; they are the one who will select the applicants for interview.

Passport is a must if you intend to travel outside of the country. Employers who are choosing between two equally qualified applicants will definitely select the one who already has passport.

11. Do we need to regularly email the task force to ask questions and make follow-up on the status of our application?

If you have finished thoroughly reading this document and you were not able to find answer to your question, then you can email your question and we will answer as soon as we can (even post it here if we think others will be interested to the answer. You are not however advised to make follow-ups on your application, remember that the employer will be the one who will contact you if they are convinced that you are the worker they are looking for.

12. Where can we submit our resume and supporting documents?
We are encouraging applicants to submit digital applications (via email) since we are not capable of storing volumes of papers. Just have your resume and other documents ready, you will have to bring it (original and two photo copies) when you are called for interview or initial screening. You will learn more about the details once you receive and email or text message from the task force.

13. What training program can we avail for free at the Olongapo Skills Training Center and how can we avail of such training?

Welding, Shipbuilding, Computer Cyber Skills, Call Center, etc

14. Is the Task Force Guam acting like an employment agency? NO

15. What POEA land based agencies are connected to the task force Guam?

At present there are five with formal MOU, one of which is the Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc (PASEI) which have more than seven hundred member agencies.

16. Why would Guam prefer Filipinos over other nationalities who are accepting lower salaries such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Thailanders, Indians, etc. and why don’t they just hire jobless Americans?

First of, remember that they are constructing a military facility (their military secrets are of prime consideration – the Chinese is one military might which they need to always be “on-guard” (you know where this discussion is going to…)

I can’t talk for the other third world workers but I will just quote Guam Officials on what they can say about the OFW:

“The most likely source of non-US workers for us would be the Philippines," said Guthertz. This, said Respicio, was because “Filipinos are hardworking, they’re loyal, and they’re very, very industrious."

Guam - Olongapo Relation Formalized

2009-11-13T21:53:00.000+08:00

Guam and the City of Olongapo now have a strategic and official relationship. Guam Speaker Judith T. Won Pat, Ed.D. and Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. signed the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the relationship this morning at the Legislative Public Hearing Room.

“I am so excited about the future we have with Olongapo City,” Senator Eddie Baza Calvo said. The senator authored Resolution No. 170-30, which allowed Guam to enter the sister-city relationship. “Not only do we have so much in common with Olongapo City, but many of our people can trace their ancestry there and to the Zambales province. This is a remarkable partnership, and one that will only strengthen our sisterhood with the Philippines.”

Our two communities will use the relationship to enhance Guam’s workforce, sustain economic development and promote trade. The resolution stressed the Guam military buildup and how Guam and Olongapo can help each other to maximize opportunities presented by the buildup.

Key to the Island of Guam

Senator Calvo presented the Key to the Island of Guam shortly after the signing of the MOU to Mayor Gordon. The event marked the first time the Legislature has entered the island into a sister-city relationship, according to Speaker Won Pat.

Mayor Gordon was accompanied by Olongapo Vice Mayor Cynthia G. Cajudo, members of the city government and leaders from the Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce. Philippine Consul General to Guam Olivia Palala also witnessed the signing, along with Senators Tina Muna-Barnes, Eddie Baza Calvo, Jim Espaldon, Judith Guthertz, DPA, Adolpho Palacios, Telo Taitague, and Ray Tenorio.

Discussions on the sister-city relationship began in April, when Mayor Gordon visited Guam and talked to Senators Calvo, Guthertz and Rory Respicio about the matter. The three senators introduced the resolution shortly thereafter; and the Legislature passed it earlier this week.

Please call Troy Torres at 788-6009 for more information. -- pacificnewscenter.com

Follow Guam OFW group on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=179147321916

Olongapo City mayor on Guam

2009-11-12T21:45:00.000+08:00

Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon is on island for the signing of the Guam-Olongapo Sister City Agreement that will be formalized during a signing ceremony at the Guam Legislature on Friday. The agreement, at the request of Senator Eddie Calvo and Yona Mayor Pedo Terlaje, is expected to be the catalyst for a growing partnership between Guam and the city in the Philippines that was once host to one of the largest U.S. military installations in the region.

Said Mayor Gordon, "It's going to be a fruitful relationship because Olongapo and the Province of Zanpales and the free port has been here for so many years sending our constituents here ever since the Americans touched base with the Philippines so the sister hood won't be a one-sided affair." by Heather Hauswirth - Kuam News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVyJXlNVDDQ

Revised Temporary Labor Certification Guideline

2009-11-12T05:15:00.001+08:00

The Guam Department of Labor's Alien Labor Processing & Certification Division is pleased to release the Revised Temporary Labor Certification Guidelines.

A Temporary Labor Certification is required for the filing of a petition for H-2B workers with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service. Federal regulations at 8 CFR 214.2, vests the Governor of Guam with the authority to issue Temporary Labor Certifications for job opportunities in Guam.

In order to complete this process the employer must: • Advertise the job opportunity, prior to filing, and be able to document such efforts.

• Submit their COMPLETED application to the Department of Labor Alien Labor Processing & Certification Division (ALPCD).

• Test the local labor market through Guam Employment Service and via advertisements in the Pacific Daily News.

• Obtain an approved Temporary Labor Certification.

• File for and obtain approval from the USCIS. • File for and obtain the workers VISAs in the foreign country.

• Once the workers arrive in Guam, file for and obtain Work Permit ID Cards from ALPCD

This guideline has been developed to assist you in successfully filing an Application for Temporary Labor Certification in Guam. Once you have compiled all of the required documents, you may contact our office and one of our staff will be happy to review your documents and identify any deficiencies prior to filing. Only completed applications will be accepted for filing and further processing. Please contact us to make an appointment with a caseworker.

Click here to download the Revised Temporary Labor Certification Guidelines in it's entirety. (pdf format)

Guam Job Vacancy

2009-11-12T05:03:00.001+08:00

Why are we monitoring this?

To give us lead time as to what are the possible jobs that may be offered to us in the near future.

You see, after posting these vacancies for a reasonable period and there are either no taker or no qualified from either Guam, CNMI, or US Mainland, these positions will be certified by Guam Government as "no applicant" or "no qualified applicant." Then this position will be open for us to apply.

So keep track of the job you maybe looking for and qualified because once you see them in here, chances are... they will eventually be open for OFWs.

http://guamdol.net/component/option,com_jobline/Itemid,365/task,list/limit,50/limitstart,0/

Date Posted Job Title Company

3470 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Sales Clerk (1) 2544 FC New! 2544 FC

3469 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Sheet Metal Worker (2) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3468 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (5) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3467 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Field Supervisor (1) (Mechanical Works) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3466 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Field Supervisor (1) Electrical Works) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3465 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Field Supervisor (2) (Civil Works) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3464 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Electrician (5) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3463 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Cement Mason (22) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3462 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Carpenter (22) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3461 Thursday, 12 November 2009 Cook, Camp (2) 2402 PJO New! 2402 PJO

3458 Monday, 09 November 2009 General Clerk IV, MIS (1) 6224 FC New! 6224 FC

3459 Monday, 09 November 2009 Warehouse Specialist, Material Management (1) 6224 FC New! 6224 FC

3460 Monday, 09 November 2009 Health Customer Service Representative (1) 6332 FC New! 6332 FC

3457 Monday, 09 November 2009 HR Generalist (1) 6340 FC New! 6340 FC

3456 Friday, 06 November 2009 Automotive Body Repairer (5) 2479 PJO 2479 PJO

3455 Thursday, 05 November 2009 Cement Mason (15) 1422 PJO 1422 PJO

3454 Thursday, 05 November 2009 Carpenter (30) 1422 PJO 1422 PJO

3453 Thursday, 05 November 2009 Logistics and Support Manager (1) 1066 FC 1066 FC

3452 Thursday, 05 November 2009 Quality Control Manager (1) 1066 FC 1066 FC

3451 Thursday, 05 November 2009 Bachelor Housing Supervisor (1) 1066 FC 1066 FC

3450 Thursday, 05 November 2009 Family Housing Manager (1) 1066 FC 1066 FC

3449 Thursday, 05 November 2009 COM (Change of Occupancy Maintenance) Manager (1) 1066 FC 1066 FC

3448 Tuesday, 03 November 2009 Salesperson (5) 1149 1149

3446 Thursday, 29 October 2009 Deputy Project Manager (1) 1066 1066

3445 Thursday, 29 October 2009 Cost Estimator (1) 6424 6424

3444 Thursday, 29 October 2009 Administrative Assistant (1) 6424 6424

3443 Thursday, 29 October 2009 Civil Drafter (1) 6424 6424

3442 Thursday, 29 October 2009 Civil Engineer (1) 6424 6424

3441 Wednesday, 28 October 2009 Quality Management Manager (1) 6224 FC 6224 FC

3431 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 “B” & “D” Endorsed Chauffeurs & Bus License Driver (1) 1093 1093

3430 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Warehouse Supervisor (3) 1397 1397

3429 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Sales Associate (1) 1397 1397

3428 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 “B” Endorsed Commercial Truck Driver (4) 1397 1397

3426 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Heavy Equipment Operator (2) 1920 PJO 1920 PJO

3425 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Cement Mason (17) 1920 PJO 1920 PJO

3424 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Carpenter (14) 1920 PJO 1920 PJO

3427 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 “C” Endorsed Commercial Truck Driver (4) 1397 1397

3423 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Caregiver (Home Care) (1) 1111 PJO 1111 PJO

3422 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Cement Mason (2) 6358 PJO 6358 PJO

3421 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Carpenter (8) 6358 PJO 6358 PJO

3420 Tuesday, 27 October 2009 Accountant (1) 6307 PJO 6307 PJO

3419 Monday, 26 October 2009 Maintenance Mechanic (2) 2207 PJO 2207 PJO

3412 Tuesday, 20 October 2009 Warehouse Operator (1) 1148 1148

3394 Monday, 28 September 2009 Field Supervisor (1) 2324 PJO 2324 PJO

3393 Monday, 28 September 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (6) 2324 PJO 2324 PJO

3392 Monday, 28 September 2009 Cement Mason (13) 2324 PJO 2324 PJO

3391 Friday, 25 September 2009 Crane Operator, Transportation (1) 6224 FC 6224 FC

3381 Tuesday, 22 September 2009 Chinese Specialty Cook (7) 1305 PJO 1305 PJO

3380 Tuesday, 22 September 2009 Cement Mason (5) 1009 PJO 1009 PJO

3379 Tuesday, 22 September 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (3) 1144 PJO 1144 PJO

Date Posted Job Title Company

3378 Tuesday, 22 September 2009 Cement Mason (4) 1144 PJO 1144 PJO

3377 Monday, 21 September 2009 Cement Mason (3) 2456 PJO 2456 PJO

3376 Monday, 21 September 2009 Carpenter (3) 2456 PJO 2456 PJO

3375 Monday, 21 September 2009 Welder, Combination (1) 6333 PJO 6333 PJO

3374 Monday, 21 September 2009 Plumber (1) 6333 PJO 6333 PJO

3373 Monday, 21 September 2009 Electrician (1) 6333 PJO 6333 PJO

3372 Monday, 21 September 2009 Air Condition Mechanic (1) 6333 PJO 6333 PJO

3371 Monday, 21 September 2009 Cement Mason (2) 6333 PJO 6333 PJO

3370 Monday, 21 September 2009 Carpenter (3) 6333 PJO 6333 PJO

3365 Wednesday, 16 September 2009 Cement Mason (4) 6426 PJO 6426 PJO

3364 Wednesday, 16 September 2009 Carpenter (3) 6426 PJO 6426 PJO

3359 Tuesday, 15 September 2009 Live-In Housekeeper (1) 1199 1199

3358 Monday, 14 September 2009 Automotive Body & Related Repairer (4) 6281 PJO 6281 PJO

3357 Monday, 14 September 2009 Cost Estimator (2) 6437 PJO 6437 PJO

3356 Monday, 14 September 2009 Electrician (1) 6437 PJO 6437 PJO

3355 Monday, 14 September 2009 Cement Mason (3) 6437 PJO 6437 PJO

3354 Monday, 14 September 2009 Carpenter (6) 6437 PJO 6437 PJO

3348 Tuesday, 08 September 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (1) 2597 PJO 2597 PJO

3347 Tuesday, 08 September 2009 Cement Mason (4) 2597 PJO 2597 PJO

3346 Tuesday, 08 September 2009 Carpenter (3) 2597 PJO 2597 PJO

3345 Tuesday, 08 September 2009 Project Supervisor (1) 2587 PJO 2587 PJO

3344 Tuesday, 08 September 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (1) 2587 PJO 2587 PJO

3343 Tuesday, 08 September 2009 Cement Mason (5) 2587 PJO 2587 PJO

3342 Tuesday, 08 September 2009 Carpenter (1) 2587 PJO 2687 PJO

3341 Friday, 04 September 2009 Cement Mason (6) 6264 PJO 6264 PJO

3340 Thursday, 03 September 2009 Cement Mason (6) 2297 PJO 2297 PJO

3339 Thursday, 03 September 2009 Carpenter (8) 2297 PJO 2297 PJO

3338 Thursday, 03 September 2009 Cement Mason (3) 6409 PJO 6409 PJO

3337 Thursday, 03 September 2009 Carpenter (5) 6409 PJO 6409 PJO

3335 Tuesday, 01 September 2009 Civil Engineer (1) 1920 PJO 1920 PJO

3334 Tuesday, 01 September 2009 Field Supervisor (5) 2486 PJO 2486 PJO

3333 Tuesday, 01 September 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (6) 2486 PJO 2486 PJO

3332 Tuesday, 01 September 2009 Cement Mason (14) 2486 PJO 2486 PJO

3331 Tuesday, 01 September 2009 Carpenter (19) 2486 PJO 2486 PJO

3330 Tuesday, 01 September 2009 Cook, Camp (1) 1127 PJO 1127 PJO

3329 Tuesday, 01 September 2009 Restaurant Manager (1) 6376 PJO 6376 PJO

3328 Tuesday, 01 September 2009 Masseuse/Massage Therapist (5) 2518 PJO 2518 PJO

3327 Monday, 31 August 2009 Home Health Aide (3) 6509 PJO 6509 PJO

3326 Monday, 31 August 2009 Electric Motor Winder (1) 2498 PJO 2498 PJO

3325 Monday, 31 August 2009 Heavy Equipment Operator (10) 1404 PJO 1404 PJO

3324 Monday, 31 August 2009 Graphic Designer (1) 1565 PJO 1565 PJO

3323 Monday, 31 August 2009 Plumber (5) 1404 PJO 1404 PJO

3322 Monday, 31 August 2009 Cement Mason (7) 1404 PJO 1404 PJO

3321 Monday, 31 August 2009 Carpenter (8) 1404 PJO 1404 PJO

3320 Monday, 31 August 2009 Electrician (1) 6502 PJO 6502 PJO

3319 Monday, 31 August 2009 Carpenter (9) 6502 PJO 6402 PJO

3318 Monday, 31 August 2009 Chef (1) 6376 PJO 6376 PJO

3317 Monday, 31 August 2009 Cook (India Cuisine) (1) 6376 PJO 6376 PJO

3316 Monday, 31 August 2009 Cement Mason (8) 6470 PJO 6470 PJO

3315 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Procurement Manager (1) 1238 PJO 1238 PJO

Date Posted Job Title Company

3314 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Cement Mason (2) 2468 PJO 2468 PJO

3313 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Carpenter (1) 2468 PJO 2468 PJO

3312 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Cement Mason (4) 6435 PJO 6435 PJO

3311 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Carpenter (3) 6435 PJO 6435 PJO

3310 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Plumber (1) 6497 PJO 6497 PJO

3309 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Electrician (3) 6497 PJO 6497 PJO

3308 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Field Supervisor (1) (Mechanical Works) 1243 PJO 1243 PJO

3307 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Field Supervisor (1) (Electrical Works) 1243 PJO 1243 PJO

3305 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Carpenter (15) 6494 PJO 6494 PJO

3306 Sunday, 30 August 2009 Cement Mason (14) 6494 PJO 6494 PJO

3304 Friday, 28 August 2009 Electrician (1) 6452 PJO 6452 PJO

3303 Friday, 28 August 2009 Cement Mason (5) 6452 PJO 6452 PJO

3302 Friday, 28 August 2009 Carpenter (1) 6452 PJO 6452 PJO

3301 Friday, 28 August 2009 Cement Mason (7) 2610 PJO 2610 PJO

3300 Friday, 28 August 2009 Carpenter (3) 2610 PJO 2610 PJO

3299 Friday, 28 August 2009 Cement Mason (3) 6500 PJO 6500 PJO

3298 Friday, 28 August 2009 Carpenter (2) 6500 PJO 6500 PJO

3297 Friday, 28 August 2009 Heavy Equipment Mechanic (2) 2571 PJO 2571 PJO

3296 Friday, 28 August 2009 Cement Mason (3) 6389 PJO 6389 PJO

3295 Friday, 28 August 2009 Carpenter (1) 6389 PJO 6389 PJO

3294 Friday, 28 August 2009 Cement Mason (5) 6450 PJO 6450 PJO

3293 Friday, 28 August 2009 Carpenter (2) 6450 PJO 6450 PJO

3292 Friday, 28 August 2009 Carpenter (8) 6358 PJO 6358 PJO

3291 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Heavy Equipment Operator (6) 2169 PJO 2169 PJO

3290 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (3) 2169 PJO 2169 PJO

3289 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Cement Mason (10) 2169 PJO 2169 PJO

3288 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Carpenter (5) 2169 PJO 2169 PJO

3287 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Cement Mason (22) 6446 PJO 6446 PJO

3286 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Carpenter (12) 6446 PJO 6446 PJO

3284 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Heavy Equipment Mechanic (4) 1260 PJO 1260 PJOC

3281 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Heavy Equipment Operator (3) 1050 PJO 1050 PJO

3280 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Heavy Equipment Mechanic (1) 1050 PJO 1050 PJO

3279 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (8) 1050 PJO 1050 PJO

3278 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Cement Mason (15) 1050 PJO 1050 PJO

3277 Thursday, 27 August 2009 Carpenter (16) 1050 PJO 1050 PJO

3274 Wednesday, 26 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (3) 1108 PJO 1108 PJO

3272 Wednesday, 26 August 2009 Cement Mason (11) 1108 PJO 1108 PJO

3271 Wednesday, 26 August 2009 Carpenter (15) 1108 PJO 1108 PJO

3270 Wednesday, 26 August 2009 Cement Mason (20) 1127 PJO 1127 PJO

3269 Wednesday, 26 August 2009 Carpenter (44) 1127 PJO 1127 PJO

3268 Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Precision Etcher / Engraver (1) 1138 PJO 1138 PJO

3267 Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Parachute Jumping Instructor (1) 1132 PJO 1132 PJO

3265 Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Japanese Specialty Cook (2) 6457 PJO 6457 PJO

3264 Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Cosmetologist (1) 2588 PJO 2588 PJO

3263 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Cement Mason (4) 6359 PJO 6359 PJO

3262 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Carpenter (3) 6359 PJO 6359 PJO

3261 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (2) 6359 PJO 6359 PJO

3259 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Specialty Cook (10) 6438 PJO 6438 PJO

3258 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Spa Therapist/Masseuse 6396 PJO 6396 PJO

3257 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Spa Supervisor 6396 PJO 6396 PJO

Date Posted Job Title Company

3256 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Cement Mason (7) 6471 PJO 6471 PJO

3255 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Spa Manager 6396 PJO 6396 PJO

3254 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Carpenter (3) 6471 PJO 6471 PJO

3253 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Food & Beverage Hostess/Server 6396 PJO 6396 PJO

3252 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Cement Mason (22) 2595 PJO 2595 PJO

3251 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Carpenter (20) 2595 PJO 2595 PJO

3250 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (5) 2595 PJO 2595 PJO

3249 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Heavy Equipment Mechanic (1) 1385 PJO 1385 PJO

3248 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Electrician (4) 1385 PJO 1385 PJO

3247 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Carpenter (4) 1385 PJO 1385 PJO

3245 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Automotive Body Repairer (1) 2479 PJO 2479 PJO

3246 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Electrical Drafter (3) 6324 PJO 6324 PJO

3244 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Cement Mason (2) 6467 PJO 6467 PJO

3243 Thursday, 20 August 2009 Carpenter (3) 6467 PJO 6467 PJO

3242 Wednesday, 19 August 2009 Floral Designer (2) 1128 PJO

3241 Wednesday, 19 August 2009 Wedding Coordinator (2) 2537 PJO 2537 PJO

3239 Wednesday, 19 August 2009 Electrician (6) 2445 PJO 2445 PJO

3238 Wednesday, 19 August 2009 Cement Mason (20) 1053 PJO 1053 PJO

3237 Wednesday, 19 August 2009 Carpenter (15) 1053 PJO 1053 PJO

3236 Wednesday, 19 August 2009 Photographer (1) 1681 PJO 1681 PJO

3232 Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Field Supervisor (Electrical Works) (1) 6403 PJO 6403 PJO

3231 Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Field Supervisor (Architectural Works) (1) 6403 PJO 6403 PJO

3229 Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Field Supervisor Electronics & Communication (1) 6403 PJO 6403 PJO

3228 Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (1) 6403 PJO 6403 PJO

3227 Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Graphic Designer (1) 6403 PJO 6403 PJO

3226 Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Dive Instructor (2) 1034 PJO 1034 PJO

3225 Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Mechanical Drafter (3) 6355 PJO 6355 PJO

3224 Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Carpenter (1) 2510 PJO 2510 PJO

3223 Monday, 17 August 2009 Cement mason (8) 6353 PJO 6353 PJO

3222 Monday, 17 August 2009 Carpenter (11) 6353 PJO 6353 PJO

3221 Monday, 17 August 2009 Operating Engineer (1) 6262 PJO 6262 PJO

3220 Monday, 17 August 2009 Estimator (1) 6262 PJO 6262 PJO

3219 Monday, 17 August 2009 Cement Mason (2) 6262 PJO 6262 PJO

3218 Monday, 17 August 2009 Wedding Service Attendant (1) 1072 PJO 1072 PJO

3217 Monday, 17 August 2009 Cement Mason (10) 6262 PJO 6262 PJO

3216 Monday, 17 August 2009 Carpenter (16) 6262 PJO 6262 PJO

3215 Monday, 17 August 2009 Cement Mason (3) 2402 PJO 2402 PJO

3214 Monday, 17 August 2009 Carpenter (15) 2402 PJO 2402 PJO

3213 Monday, 17 August 2009 Cement Mason (1) 6493 PJO 6493 PJO

3212 Monday, 17 August 2009 Carpenter (2) 6493 PJO 6493 PJO

3211 Monday, 17 August 2009 Cement Mason (6) 6285 PJO 6285 PJO

3210 Monday, 17 August 2009 Cement Mason (2) 6273 PJO 6273 PJO

3209 Monday, 17 August 2009 Carpenter (2) 6273 PJO 6273 PJO

3208 Monday, 17 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (21) 6411 PJO 6411 PJO

3207 Monday, 17 August 2009 Plasterer (6) 6411 PJO 6411 PJO

3206 Monday, 17 August 2009 Cement Mason (18) 6411 PJO 6411 PJO

3205 Monday, 17 August 2009 Carpenter (27) 6411 PJO 6411 PJO

3204 Friday, 14 August 2009 Plasterer (40) 1920 PJO 1920 PJO

3203 Friday, 14 August 2009 Heavy Equipment Operator (1) 1920 PJO 1920 PJO

3202 Friday, 14 August 2009 Carpenter (7) 1920 PJO 1920 PJO

Date Posted Job Title Company

3201 Friday, 14 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (3) 1020 PJO 1020 PJO

3200 Friday, 14 August 2009 Cement Mason (3) 1020 PJO 1020 PJO

3199 Friday, 14 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (4) 2433 PJO 2433 PJO

3198 Friday, 14 August 2009 Cement Mason (44) 2433 PJO 2433 PJO

3197 Friday, 14 August 2009 Carpenter (19) 2433 PJO 2433 PJO

3195 Friday, 14 August 2009 Sheet Metal Worker (1) 1129 PJO 1129 PJO

3193 Friday, 14 August 2009 A/C & Refrigeration Mechanic (2) 1129 PJO 1129 PJO

3192 Friday, 14 August 2009 Carpenter (1) 1129 PJO 1129 PJO

3191 Friday, 14 August 2009 Cement Mason (36) 6200 PJO 6200 PJO

3190 Friday, 14 August 2009 Carpenter (29) 6200 PJO 6200 PJO

3189 Friday, 14 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (5) 6275 PJO 6275 PJO

3188 Friday, 14 August 2009 Cement Mason (3) 6275 PJO 6275 PJO

3187 Friday, 14 August 2009 Carpenter (7) 6275 PJO 6275 PJO

3186 Friday, 14 August 2009 Estimator (4) 1119 PJO 1119 PJO

3185 Friday, 14 August 2009 Electrician (5) 1119 PJO 1119 PJO

3184 Friday, 14 August 2009 Cement Mason (9) 1119 PJO 1119 PJO

3183 Friday, 14 August 2009 Carpenter (4) 1119 PJO 1119 PJO

3181 Thursday, 13 August 2009 Electrical Engineer (1) 1096 PJO 1096 PJO

3178 Thursday, 13 August 2009 Field Supervisor (3) 1377 PJO 1377 PJO

3177 Thursday, 13 August 2009 reinforcing Metal Worker (8) 1377 PJO 1377 PJO

3176 Thursday, 13 August 2009 Cement Mason (8) 1377 PJO 1377 PJO

3175 Thursday, 13 August 2009 Finishing Carpenter (13) 1377 PJO 1377 PJO

3174 Thursday, 13 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (1) 2446 PJO 2446 PJO

3173 Thursday, 13 August 2009 Cement Mason (5) 2446 PJO 2446 PJO

3172 Thursday, 13 August 2009 Carpenter (5) 2446 PJO 2446 PJO

3169 Wednesday, 12 August 2009 Reinforcing Metal Worker (46) 1597 PJO 1597 PJO

2996 Friday, 29 May 2009 Precast Plant Manager/Engineer - 6432 FC 6432 FC

2454 Monday, 15 September 2008 Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor (1) - 6233 6233

2453 Monday, 15 September 2008 Psychiatric Social Worker II (1) - 6233 6233

2452 Monday, 15 September 2008 Psychiatric Social Worker I (1) - 6233 6233

2451 Monday, 15 September 2008 Psychiatric Nurse Supervisor (1) - 6233 6233

2450 Monday, 15 September 2008 Psychiatric Nurse III (1) - 6233 6233

2449 Monday, 15 September 2008 Psychiatric Nurse II (1) - 6233 6233

2448 Monday, 15 September 2008 Psychiatric Nurse I (1) - 6233 6233

1996 Friday, 28 March 2008 Psychologist - 6233 6233

1974 Friday, 14 March 2008 Physician (Psychiatrists) Specialist (Board Eligible) - 6233 6233

1975 Friday, 14 March 2008 Physician (Psychiatrist) Specialist (Board Certified) - 6233 6233

U.S. to release huge report on impact of Guam buildup

2009-11-11T16:47:00.000+08:00

It weighs in at 10 volumes and has more than 5,000 pages of text and 9,000 pages of appendices and tables.

Putting it together was a chore, but figuring out what it all means might be the hardest part.

After more than 2½ years of research, the U.S. military this month will release a mammoth study explaining how its expansion plans on Guam will affect the land, water, wildlife and living standards on the island.

The study, officially called an environmental impact statement (EIS), is part of the Defense Department’s required legwork to add 8,000 Marines, an Army air defense unit and repeated aircraft carrier visits to an island with a land mass slightly smaller than Chicago.

Moreover, the study’s release in the Nov. 20 issue of the Federal Register will be the first detailed look at the military’s plans for most local leaders and residents. On Guam, which is across the International Date Line, the release date will be Nov. 21.

To prepare for the release, Guam’s governor hired a Colorado engineering and planning firm for more than a year to help decipher the impact statement.

Last month, night classes were held at community and senior centers to help people understand what to expect.

The military has set up a special Web site — www.guambuildupeis.us — and promised to put extra copies in libraries and government offices to provide more widespread access to the free document.

With such public anticipation for the weighty and complicated document, the military is trying to ensure the report doesn’t land with a thud.

"Most of the time, draft EIS’s don’t get much attention," said David Bice, a former Marine major general now serving as the Pentagon’s point man on the Guam buildup project. "The size and complexity of this EIS is not like anything I’ve ever dealt with. It’s a huge document. Ten volumes of 15,000 pages. Holy cow."

The release of the draft statement comes as Japanese and U.S. leaders are still discussing the future of 8,000 Marines’ current home on Okinawa. Both countries agreed in 2006 to move that many Marines to Guam by 2014, and Japan promised to pay $6.09 billion of the $10.3 billion estimated cost. Last summer, the U.S. military cashed the first payment, $335 million, from Japan.

More recently, a newly elected government in Japan has balked at the agreement because it calls for a new Marine air station in a rural portion of Okinawa.

Yet Bice says the military is moving ahead to meet a goal of awarding some construction contracts in 2010. Already, Navy engineers in Hawaii are soliciting for applicants to a "multiple award construction contract," a comprehensive job that would pay an estimated $4 billion to facilitate building various parts of the expansion.

Guam leaders and residents are both embracing and bracing for the planned expansion, which Bice once compared to adding 2.5 million people to New York City almost overnight.

"A lot of people are not opposed to the buildup," said Sen. Judith Guthertz, who chairs Guam’s legislative committee that oversees the military expansion. "They know it’s going to change their island. They just don’t want to change it too much."

Understanding that change begins, in many ways, with the draft statement. Already, local officials have won one request, which will double the normal review period from 45 days to 90 days.

There’s benefit for those who peruse through the legalese. The statement will explain where the military plans to build its gates and how it will mitigate for excess traffic, people, training and trash. It also will indicate who might benefit by selling a section of land needed for a wider road or offering convenient housing for the construction workers expected to migrate to the island.

Finding those insights, though, will be hard, officials say. The statement will be filled with scientific analysis and technical terms, which even the military needs help verifying. And that process already has begun, to some local leaders’ surprise.

Guthertz learned at her own committee meeting last month that several Guam employees had received early portions of the statement for a technical review. Those employees, including Guam’s top Environmental Protection Agency official, signed agreements with the military promising confidentiality.

"It’s not something commonly practice in my understanding," said Lorilee Crisostomo, Guam EPA’s administrator.

She and Bice said the military and the island staff, who also helped build the data within the document, agreed to the early reviews months ago.

"It’s not designed for secrecy," Bice said of the reviews, which he called technical in nature. "It’s designed to keep the integrity of the process."

Still, it struck a chord on a U.S. territory that often feels ignored.

"Maybe other communities, local government might represent them, or at least in Congress," said Sen. Edward J. B. Calvo, the Guam legislature’s minority leader, noting that Guam’s one congresswoman has a committee but no floor vote in the House of Representatives.

"As a territory, we just don’t have that same type of political family," Calvo said. "Here, it’s more unilateral decisions."

It doesn’t help that the omnibus defense budget, signed into law by President Obama last month, contains $734 million for the Guam buildup yet left out the island’s claims for war reparations, Guthertz and Calvo said. Under the proposal, the claims would compensate island residents and descendants of those imprisoned, tortured and killed by the Japanese during World War II. The proposal, which Obama supports, was shot down for the third time this fall.

That irony prompted Guthertz to release her own proposal. When the reparations were cut in October, she introduced a bill to impose a local toll on federal vehicles entering and leaving the military base on the island.

A week later, she put the proposal on hold. When asked about it, Guthertz chuckled and said she did it to get Washington’s attention as the environmental impact statement is released.

"If you’re looking for more land on Guam, you’d better be careful how you ask," she said. By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes

Economic forum to be held at Guam university

2009-11-08T16:34:00.001+08:00

A powerhouse of speakers, panelists and topics will highlight the University of Guam economic forum Thursday and Friday at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort.

Steve Ricci, a senior research engineer at Battelle Institute who will work with UOG on an alternative energy initiative, joins the list of panelists at the forum, UOG announced. The alternative energy program is funded through a $750,000 grant from the Office of Naval Research.

UOG President Robert Underwood, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo and Gov. Felix Camacho are expected to speak to the crowd during opening speeches or remarks.

Guest speakers include:

Derek Mitchell, principal deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, who will talk about "Guam's Role in Asia and the Current State of the Guam Buildup."

Philippine Sen. Richard Gordon, who will discuss "Overall Asian Economies and the Redevelopment of Economic Zones."

Speaker Judith Won Pat, who will discuss "Public Sector Reforms and Fiscal Discipline, Accountability, Land Use."

Bob Cook, CEO and president, El Paso Regional Economic Development Corp. He will discuss El Paso's planning for the Fort Bliss buildup. PACIFIC DAILY NEWS

American Samoans apply for Guam jobs

2009-11-04T16:31:00.000+08:00

The first batch of American Samoan applications for jobs in the military build up in Guam has been sent to Professional Personnel International in Houston.

A former American Samoan ongressional candidate, Aumua Amata Coleman, who initiated the recruitment effort with PPI, says there are about 1,000 applications.

She says PPI headquarters will have an initial review and pass the applications to its office in Guam for a preliminary selection.

Aumua says this will be the first step in a long process which will include extensive background checks and drug testing before any job interviews.

She expects that the hiring will begin in the first quarter of next year, with the work, mostly in construction, due to get underway by the middle of the year.

While the majority of those who applied were cannery employees, many college students and high school leavers, as well as people already working, have also submitted applications.

She says a quarter of the applicants are women.

Ada proposal lowers increase to H-2 fee

2009-11-01T16:28:00.000+08:00

Senators yesterday considered a bill that would increase hiring fees for H-2 workers to fund the jobs of more health inspectors, but the proposed increase had shrunk substantially since the bill was introduced.

Bill 135 originally proposed raising the annual fee per worker by $243, but bill author Sen. Tom Ada amended the proposed legislation to increase the fee by only $91.

Ada said he had "recalculated" the amount of money that should be raised to hire health inspectors and increase enforcement of health standards in immigrant workers' barracks, based on the coming military buildup. The original increase would have funded more workers than necessary, he said yesterday.

By charging an extra $91 per worker, GovGuam would raise about $6.7 million in five years, or nearly enough money to hire about 15 more health inspectors, Ada said.

Those health inspectors will be used primarily to enforce sanitary standards at worker housing, Ada said.

"I think we need to take proactive measures with regards to the temporary worker barracks that will be popping up all over the island to make sure that the environmental health of those facilities are in fact being maintained," Ada said yesterday.

Senators debated Bill 135 for hours yesterday, but eventually agreed to vote on it the next time it is discussed.

The Guam Contractors Association has sent letters to senators attempting to dissuade them from passing the bill, but Ada yesterday dismissed some of the arguments.

A recent letter from GCA President James Martinez said the military was going to enforce standards at worker barracks so Bill 135 was redundant.

Ada wasn't so sure.

"We need to take the responsibility for the health in our community," he said. "If everybody has all these good intentions, then fine, all the better that the health in our community will be looked after. But as of right now, there is nothing in writing that says it will be done."

Ada also said that although the new inspectors would be hired primarily to inspect work-force housing, they could be sent to other establishments if they were following a lead. BY BRETT KELMAN • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS

Obama OKs $734M for buildup

2009-11-01T16:26:00.000+08:00

Guam will receive more than $734 million for military buildup projects, as outlined in the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which was signed into law Wednesday by President Obama.

That's more than four times the amount that was appropriated for the Department of Defense for military construction in 2009, according to Gary Hiles, chief economist at the Guam Department of Labor.

"The $734.2 million in military construction projects is more than double the previous record of military construction appropriation for Guam of $345 million in fiscal 2008. The appropriation for fiscal 2009 was $180 million," Hiles said.

"That's probably the biggest appropriation that Guam has seen for a military project," added James Martinez, president of the Guam Contractors Association.

This sum roughly translates into about 7,000 new construction jobs created for fiscal 2010, based on the ratio of construction industry project amounts to jobs in the 2007 Economic Census for Guam. Every million dollars in expenditures created about 10 construction jobs at that time, Hiles said.

It's the skilled trade workers who will be the most in demand, according to Martinez. However, Guam probably won't see these jobs open up until early next year, Martinez said. The projects most likely will be let out for bid during the first quarter of 2010, in the March-to-April time frame. That cushion of time will allow Guam's construction industry to evaluate how many qualified workers there are in the labor pool, he said.

"I would expect that by the end of calendar year 2010, Guam will add in the neighborhood of 2,000 to 3,000 construction jobs to the existing number of 6,700 as of June 2009," Hiles said.

But the defense spending bill requires that construction companies look for qualified U.S. citizens and residents first before turning to recruitment of foreign workers.

Reliable Builders Project manager Rey Brigino said he hoped the local worker pool would support the need presented by construction companies. BY AMRITHA ALLADI • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS

Guam granted extra time for review of Impact Study on military build-up

2009-11-01T16:24:00.000+08:00

Guam has been granted an extra ninety days to review the Draft Environmental Impact Study, or EIS, for the United States military build-up on the island.

This follows a meeting between Guam’s Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and the secretary of the US Navy Ray Mabus in Washington yesterday.

Guam officials had been pleading with the federal government for an extension of the 45-day period originally allocated for a review of the soon-to-be-released EIS.

They argued that such a highly detailed and technical document needed a longer period for review because Guam civillians would have to live with the environmental consequences of the build-up for the rest of their lives.

Following the meeting, Congresswoman Bordallo said she also discussed the importance of the Department of Defense being more proactive in supporting the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act.

Wage protections will apply to Guam buildup contractors' workers

2009-10-08T17:53:00.000+08:00

PACIFIC DAILY NEWS • NEWS@GUAMPDN.COM

The fiscal 2010 defense spending bill, as approved by a House-Senate conference committee yesterday, would extend the Davis-Bacon wage protections to all military construction projects on Guam.

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, federal contractors and subcontractors must pay their laborers and mechanics no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work on similar projects in the area, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The Davis-Bacon Act directs the U.S. Department of Labor to determine such locally prevailing wage rates, according to the federal Labor Department.

The federal law also requires federal contractors to pay workers weekly.

Bordallo’s office states the defense spending bill, as agreed upon by the House-Senate conference committee, would require contractors performing work on military construction projects on Guam to develop a recruitment plan that is submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor that details their efforts to hire local and other U.S. citizens and nationals.

It also requires that the contractors submit a follow-up report that details why any U.S. citizen or national was not hired for a specific project, according to Bordallo’s office.

The bill maintains the governor of Guam's ability to certify the need for H-2B workers, but he must submit an additional certification to the Secretary of Defense for military construction projects only.

Buildup Bump: Guam Lawmakers Take Aim As Feds Rush Environmental Impact Process

2009-10-07T05:49:00.000+08:00

By Jeff Marchesseault - http://guamnewsfactor.com

GUAM - News Monday that the public would have a mere 45 days to respond to a complex 8,000-page Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the island's massive military buildup has at least two local lawmakers scrambling to make up for lost time.

After taking a moment to shake off their initial 'shock' and frustration, Vice Speaker BJ Cruz and Military Buildup Chairperson Judi Guthertz are getting the word out that the 30th Legislature isn't about to be bowled over in a rush to comply with minimum environmental standards at the risk of overlooking legitimate local developmental concerns.

Straining Out Gnats, Swallowing Camels

In a radio interview with Newstalk K57 Breakfast Show Host Ray Gibson on Tuesday morning, Cruz said there was no way he could read, let alone understand, 8,000 pages of abstruse, federal officialese inside a month and a half. The Vice Speaker insisted that before local lawmakers can be expected to get up to speed and contribute meaningfully to the conversation, federal officials must provide funding for the legislature so senators can hire a qualified consultancy to wade through the Sanskrit, interpret federal findings, and, presumably, make recommendations that advance the interests of Guam's residents.

Getting To The Bottom Of It

In an October 7th request for help addressed to key divisions of the U.S. Departments of Interior and Defense, Guthertz' (who has consistently fought for a buildup that benefits Guam while meeting the Pentagon's regional objectives) tells Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Tony Babauta and DOD/Office of Economic Adjustment Program Manager Gary Kubarawa that the Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO) briefed local senators on Monday regarding the status of environmental impact studies.

And she explains that JGPO "informed us that the draft EIS will be released to the public on November 20, 2009, triggering a 45 day window for public comment. It will be ten volumes and run about 8,000 pages."

A Damper On The Holiday Cheer

Dousing in a dose of reality, Cruz asked K57's Gibson point-blank, "do you know how much work gets done on Guam between November 20 and January 5?" Cruz explained that Guam shifts into holiday mode before Thanksgiving straight through the New Year and insinuated that the federal M.O. on the buildup borders on conspiracy.

At this point, push has come to shove. Ten volumes in 45 days feels an awful lot like a force feeding -- especially at a time when everyone needs a little extra room for cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

In her letter to Assistant Secretary Babauta and OEA's Kuwabara, Guthertz asserts that although the Office of the Governor may have the resources it needs to respond to the EIS, the Legislature is sorely lacking similar information and funding:

"We think that our Governor intends to use funds provided by the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to provide expertise for his review and comment on the draft EIS. However, the Legislature will not have access to those funds."

So, who within the territory might these national authorities want to talk to next?

Clue: On Guam They Make The Rules And Divvy Up The Cash

Although federal officials may be forgiven for their tendency to deal at the executive-to-executive level, the reality is this. The sooner the Department of Defense and representatives of the Obama Administration begin engaging Guam's legislative branch of government, the sooner our local lawmakers will be enabled to act in the spirit of Guthertz' win-win buildup philosophy.

Given its policymaking and appropriation authority, the Guam Legislature is a critical component to the military buildup. A project of this scale and magnitude will require a great deal of legislative input and flexibility -- from the development of port, road, utility and facilities infrastructure to the expansion of social programs -- in order to support a ballooning population, regulate the economy and handle exponential new loads of vehicular traffic.

Think of Guam as a mid-level American municipality. And say you're playing a computer-simulated game of 'community development'. You wouldn't foist a $15 billion federal master plan (the Guam Buildup) on the city council (the Guam Legislature) without their input -- would you?

We've said it before here at the Factor. And we'll say it again. A buildup that is good for the military must also be good for Guam. It's hard to coexist peacefully without mutual respect for one another's needs. Especially when two groups must coexist within a remote island not much bigger than a couple of hundred square miles.

The Rising Action

To expedite buildup matters on the homefront, Senator Guthertz has called an October 15th oversight hearing on "Draft EIS input" and "Military Build-up Funds from All Sources" and is asking pertinent GovGuam agency heads and experts to attend and to update the Legislature on their individual input and comments on sections of the federal government's draft EIS.

John Dela Rosa contributed to this report.

Here is a media release from Senator Guthertz' office updating voters on her response to the draft EIS -- and the tight timeline to respond:

Oversight Hearing On Draft EIS Is Now Set

Senator Guthertz Seeks Expert Assistance And Demands "Full Disclosure" On Draft EIS And Buildup Funding

Hagåtña - Senator Judi P. Guthertz has scheduled an Oversight Hearing to gather details on the Administration's input regarding the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) presented by the Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO).

Sen. Guthertz also wrote to Assistant Secretary of the Interior Tony Babauta and Mr. Gary Kuwabara from the Office of Economic Adjustment seeking assistance in acquiring an expert to help the Committee on the Guam Military Buildup and Homeland Security with digesting the technical points of the Environmental Impact Statement in its working and final form.

"We haven't time to waste, the more information we learn about regarding the EIS for the buildup the better. Knowledge of what is contained in the EIS will aid us in formulating policy and planning for our people," explained Sen. Guthertz. "The military buildup is too vast a program to compartmentalize."

The lawmaker added, "It is all about transparency, accountability and preparedness. The Committee has committed to these tenets and will endeavor to hold the federal government and our local agencies including the Administration to the same. It just makes sense to keep

our people informed and aware."

As well, Sen. Guthertz will query the Governor's office on all funding received from the federal government in support of the military buildup on Guam. In late July, the senator advised the governor's office to be prepared for an Oversight Hearing on all military buildup

funding.

The Oversight Hearing is scheduled on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the Public Hearing Room of the Guam Legislature.

Click here to read Senator Guthertz' letter to Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas Tony Babauta and Office of Economic Adjustment staffer Gary Kuwabara.

Click here to read Senator Guthertz' letter to Guam Governor Felix Camacho.

JIGPO Briefs Lawmakers On Military Buildup EIS

2009-10-05T23:33:00.000+08:00

Guam - Guam lawmakers were briefed on the military’s buildup environmental impact concerns Monday.

The sum result of the meeting was that members of the island community should have more to say about the EIS.

With long announced plans to officially break ground for the first phase of the Guam military buildup set for early 2010, a variety of government and military environmental experts as well as consultants have been putting together the environmental impact assessment required by both federal law and the planning process. However, it was only today that the Joint Guam Program Office shared details of what was being found and how it might affect the final shape of the $15 billion buildup and its impact on ordinary Guam citizens.

“It’s the first solid information we’ve had on the EIS,” said Senator Judi P. Guthertz. At a legislative briefing with more than half the senators represented, JGPO’s John Jackson, Director, JGPO (Forward), was grilled by legislators eager for information and unhappy with the short amount of time that the public will have to comment on the EIS.

Presented to the lawmakers was the outline of a ten volume document that is expected to be thousands of pages long. JGPO said that the draft of the EIS would be out on November 20th. At that time the public and other interested parties would have just 45 days to offer further comments or objections.

Some material from the preliminary report already suggests impacts on non-military Guam residents: Plans are to drill deep wells to ensure water supplies on base. On the other hand, the military expects to pay part of the costs of expanding the northern GovGuam sewage treatment plant to cover its expanded requirements.

Access to information about the military buildup has been a source of frustration in local government circles. While some government agencies have received copies of EIS drafts, the most recent version apparently did not go to the governor’s office. On the other hand, governor’s staffers who were not provided with copies have been invited to a session in Hawaii later this week to help drafters of the EIS review it.

In the short run, senators were most unhappy about the limited time they’ll have to review the EIS. Senator Matt Rector complained, “We’ve got no expertise to analyze an EIS…There’s no way in hell we can do this in 45 days…” Senator Guthertz agreed, but promised, “I’ll go through the EIS word by word.”

Guthertz urged that all citizens and particularly government officials with environmental expertise be prepared to lend a hand to review of the EIS, which she said is “vital” to the future of everyone making their home on Guam.

[Present at the EIS briefing were: Senators Guthertz, Speaker Won Pat, Senator Ada, Senator Pangelinan, Telo Taitague, Matt Rector; Senators Cruz, Palacios and Respicio were represented by staff]. Pacific News Center

Buildup's start may be late

2009-09-26T10:28:00.000+08:00

Completion of environmental study delayed

BY DIONESIS TAMONDONG • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS

A draft study of the military buildup's potential environmental impact to the island may be completed by November -- several months later than the date federal officials had previously announced.

While the delay may push back the expected start of military construction projects, they're still scheduled to begin next year, according to federal and local officials. The start of those projects was targeted for early 2010.

The Environmental Impact Statement is a detailed study of the consequences that the projects may have on the environment. It must be approved before any military construction projects can break ground.

The target date for the draft EIS study to be completed is November, Guam Buildup Office Deputy Director Nora Camacho said during a meeting yesterday at the Guam Economic Development Authority.

The draft statement was supposed to be issued in January this year, then it was pushed back to spring, according to Pacific Daily News files. In July, retired Marine Maj. Gen. David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said more time was needed to prepare the study, which consisted of more than 8,000 pages.

Camacho said JGPO officials continue to work with certain local agencies to reconcile inconsistencies found in the voluminous study.

Sen. Frank Aguon Jr., chairman of the legislative committee on economic development, said large construction projects, particularly those that require significant digging, will likely be affected by delays. But the senator, who was at yesterday's GEDA meeting, said he also believes the buildup shouldn't be rushed.

"I don't think (major delays) bode well for local businesses who are ready to start breaking ground within the next couple of months, but the reality is the EIS is critical so the community knows and understands exactly what the impact will be to Guam's environment," Aguon said.

Aguon said he thinks any major delays to large construction projects might affect the military's goal of relocating 8,000 U.S. Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam from Okinawa by 2014.

Guam Contractors Association President James Martinez said it's no big deal if projects are held back by a few months.

"We're all very anxious and excited to start, but there's also a lot of preparations involved and a little more time to do so might help," he said.

Marine Capt. Neil Ruggiero, JGPO public information officer, reiterated yesterday that they are on track with the environmental impact study and the goal for construction to start is still within fiscal 2010. He wouldn't say whether it would be in the early or later part of the year.

After the final EIS study is approved, a record of decision will be issued, detailing which projects will move forward.

Respicio And Guthertz Assure Guam Jobs For Filipinos

2009-09-05T22:25:00.000+08:00

By Michael Rudolph - Guam News Factor

GUAM - Yesterday, Senators Rory Respicio and Judith Gurthertz met with Philippine Overseas Employment Administration officials in Mandaluyong, Philippines. The discussion points revolved around the recruitment of manpower for the Guam military buildup. During their visit the Senators expressed their positive sentiments of the Filipino labor force on Guam.

That, according to reports filed by the Philippine Star and GMA Television News.

Guthertz stated that "Filipinos are hardworking, they're loyal, and they're very, very industrious." Senator Respicio also shared his personal thoughts when he said "we have affinity for foreign workers, especially for Filipinos."

The two senators made assurances that the projected 15,000 to 20,000 job openings on Guam in 2010 related to the military buildup will be open to Filipinos, as potential employment opportunities for Filipinos will not be stymied by the efforts of Hawaii Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D).

"We do not believe it will pass. He will not get everything he is wishing for," said Guthertz commenting Abercrombie's prevailing wage provision. The prevailing wage provision or Kalua Pork Provision would require that the minimum wage standard for all construction workers on Guam will be at the prevailing wage level for similar construction projects in Hawaii. In addition, foreign workers will be allowed to do no more than 30% of the work on the project. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Abercrombie's provision would increase the cost of the buildup by $10 billion.

Filipinos should know that they have advocates in their corner, as evidenced by Senator Guthertz and Recpicio's comments and efforts to ensure that our fellow Pacific Islanders do not get left out in cold by Abercrombie's Kalua Pork Provision.

Read the Philippine Star article, "20,000 jobs up for grabs in Guam", September 2, 2009.

Read the GMA News.TV story, "Filipino workers assured of more jobs in Guam", September 2, 2009.

Guidelines on Guam out in Nov.

2009-09-04T22:18:00.000+08:00

THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief said on Thursday the guidelines for the deployment of 15,000 to 20,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Guam would be released in November or December this year.

POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin Manalili said in a press conference the agency is finalizing the rules and regulations for the deployment to craft a standard contract for workers who will be hired to work in Guam.

“The guidelines will hopefully be out by the end of the year, around November or December. We foresee that there will be a surge of OFWs who would want to go to Guam,” Manalili said.

Guam is offering construction work to foreign workers who could earn as much as $17 an hour, Guam senator-adviser Alfredo Antolin Jr. said.

No recruitment fee will be collected from aspiring workers but a service fee of up to $1,000 will be collected from the construction companies that will hire foreign workers.

However, recruitment consultant Emmanuel Geslani said the standard employment contract of the POEA, which insists on free food and accommodation for the OFWs, is contrary to Guam labor laws.

The Guam labor laws, which are patterned after the US mainland laws, state that food and accommodation should be shouldered by workers, similar to what is practiced in all the US states.

Geslani expressed the fear that if the contractors from Guam will shoulder the $400 airfare and a visa fee of $1,000 for a H2-B temporary working visa, the companies might be “turned off” and hire Americans instead.

“Therefore, it would be easier to hire jobless American nationals or other foreign workers who are from the mainland or can fly in on their own airfare and without the need of a visa and no service fee is involved. So, no additional costs are involved if the contractor hires [jobless] American nationals who now number 2.5 million mostly in the construction and home industry,” Geslani said.

“The hiring rules are the same as in the US, which [pay] on a per hour [basis] and Filipinos will receive the same pay as the Americans. So why hire a Filipino if you can hire an American at no cost to you? This is what recruitment leaders are saying. There is no advantage in hiring Filipinos. In fact, it is a disadvantage to contractors or subcontractors who will work on the expansion of the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam,” he added.

A proposed bill, the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, to the United States House Representatives, 70-percent of jobs in Guam are reserved for American citizens. Written by Sara Fabunan / Business Mirror Correspondent

RP needs labor attaché in Guam

2009-09-03T22:22:00.000+08:00

HAGATNA, Guam—Guam Sen. Frank Aguon Jr. asked Philippine Labor Secretary Marianito Roque to send a labor attaché to Guam to oversee the needs of Filipino workers expected to fill thousands of jobs that will be generated by the impending US military buildup on the island with the relocation of thousands of US Marines from Okinawa.

Aguon last week wrote to Roque on the heels of a complaint filed by nine H2 workers who left Guam on August 27 after reluctantly accepting a meager amount of cash from Base Corp., their former employer. The United States H2 visa is issued to unskilled workers and is the most commonly used for workers in farming or construction.

They filed a complaint against the company at the local and federal labor departments for wage theft and maltreatment.

“It is critical that a Philippine representative with labor and welfare expertise assist workers in their need as they adjust to their new living and working environment,” said Aguon, chairman of the Committee on Economic Development, Health and Human Services and Judiciary.

The nine Filipino construction workers came to Guam early this year with hopes of earning good salaries to send back home to their families. But they flew back to the Philippines and decided to abandon their labor complaint after receiving $1,500 each from Base Corp.

“They could have stayed to see their case through because the federal labor department offered to give them immigration relief that would allow them to stay legally,” said Felix Aguon, a local labor-rights activist who assisted the Filipino workers. “But they wouldn’t take chances. They just wanted to leave.”

Danilo Navarette, spokesman for the group, signed a contract with the company to work as a carpenter. His contract stipulated a minimum wage of $13.56 an hour, but he only made $11.70 an hour. The employer deducted $200 from his monthly pay checks.

“We didn’t know the purpose of the deduction,” Navarette said in Pilipino in an interview before he left Guam. “We spent more for the recruitment than the amount we saved.”

The complaint was filed by Navarette, Victor Cortez, Ruben Enriques, Vergilo Enriques, Arnulfo Ruiz, Ferdinand Lubong, Rolando Aquino, Leonardo Paulino and Roberto Fabian, who all came to Guam in January.

Their contracts were supposed to be good until October but Base Corp. fired them after they filed the complaint.

“More Filipino workers with H2 visa will be coming here. We don’t want them to suffer what we had experienced,” Fabian said in Pilipino.

Guam will need about 30,000 foreign workers to pick up the construction jobs that will be generated by the relocation of 8,000 US Marines from Okinawa.

The island is dependent on the federal guest-worker program to fill its huge labor gap. The Philippines is a main source of manpower for Guam’s construction industry. Written by Mar-Vic Cagurangan / Special to the BusinessMirror