Guam lawmakers, experts stress policy alignment at Defense Forum

BY PAULY SUBA
Journal Staff

The first ever Guam Defense Forum brought together military leaders, policymakers, academics and community representatives for two days of discussions on the island’s role in U.S. defense strategy and the impacts of the military buildup. The forum took place at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort.

On Sept. 18, the second day of the forum, a panel discussion focused on aligning local and federal policies focused on security readiness while balancing economic and community needs. The session titled, Charting the Course: Policymaking for Guam’s Defense Readiness, explored these issues in depth.

Speaker of the 38th Guam Legislature Frank Blas Jr. said the legislature’s role is to create laws that the executive branch and federal agencies can carry out, but lawmakers need to be included from the beginning. "You are responsible for the execution of the policy, and we are responsible for the creation of the policy, so that you can carry on with that,” Blas said. “When the community doesn’t get informed on either side, we become the recipients of the complaints... We present a very unique role.”

Sen. Tina Muña Barnes, the legislature’s minority ranking member, said the island must focus on unity. “The one word that comes to me … is alignment and coming together as one,” Muña Barnes said. “We should align ourselves to make sure that we are truly ready if anything happens for our community, for our people, and for our nation.”

Rikki Orsini, policy director for the governor’s office, urged participants to think beyond Guam’s borders. “I challenge us not to just think of policymaking on a local level, but we have to also engage policymaking at the federal level,” Orsini said. “We have to be two things. One, relentless in our advocacy for the needs of our community, and two, resourceful.”

Orsini outlined a three-pronged housing plan that includes expanding the use of H-2B foreign workers for local projects, setting aside a portion of military construction for affordable housing, and adjusting military housing stipends.

University of Guam president Anita Borja Enriquez said readiness must account for civilian planning and the ability to retain talent on island. “We’re only as strong as our weakest link,” Enriquez said. “It just pains me to produce those that are going to be entering registered nurses, those who are entering engineers, and they say, well, gosh, I can’t afford to move out of my parents’ home, so I’m going to leave island.”

Vera Topasña, who heads the governor’s Community Defense Liaison Office, said the Department of Defense does not have all the authority needed to meet Guam’s needs. “There are certain things that our agencies or military personnel or military departments do not have statutory authority to do or to perform,” Topasña said. She pointed to the federal Economic Adjustment Committee as one way to bring other agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, into discussions.

Sen. Jesse Lujan announced that eight republican senators had introduced a “friendship caucus” resolution linking Guam with Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan and Korea to strengthen regional ties.

He also pointed to recent local laws that aim to leave lasting benefits from major projects. “Black Construction had to have a working force to use a contract to build the glass breakwater,” Lujan said. “Once they leave the port after the job is done, those buildings will stay in place and we’re going to cost the Port Authority nothing.”

He said this was made possible under Public Law 38-26, which authorizes the Port Authority of Guam to grant dollar-for-dollar lease payment offsets to tenants who invest in documented, high-value improvements that enhance port operations or community value.

Lujan also cited Public Law 38-21, which authorizes the Guam International Airport Authority to enter into 50-year leases for airport property and 15-year leases for concessions, while giving the GIAA board the power to set rules for those agreements. He said the measure will help attract long-term investment.

Joe Roberto, immediate past chairman of the Guam Contractors Association, raised concerns about labor and housing restrictions. “One of the issues that policies have right now in this instance that hinders more outside work to come in are existing laws that need to be changed,” Roberto said. He said that restrictions on housing H-2B workers in certain zones could be eased with amendments or temporary sunset clauses.

He added that rising shipping costs also drive-up construction expenses and urged a review of laws already on the books. “Instead of create new laws, why don’t we look at the laws that are in existence already and amend those laws?” Roberto said. “Those old laws hinder what we are trying to achieve today.”

Moderator Clifford Guzman, president of Galaide Group LLC, said unity in policymaking sends a message beyond Guam. “Part and parcel to … winning without fighting is showing adversaries or actors out there that we have policymakers who are working together,” Guzman said. mbj