Reiterating Guam’s role in the Department of Defense’s focus on the Pacific, Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero pushed for the need to build up medical services.
“The regional security priorities for Guam and our allies in the Pacific cannot be overstated,” she said during the 2023 Pacific Defense Contracting Summit, as noted in a press release from Adelup. “We are uniquely positioned to be the regional center of excellence for medical services and human health, and my strategic vision for healthcare is one that is consistent with the needs of my people as well as the National Security strategy.”
Over the last few years, Guam and neighboring islands have been the focus of military construction to support increased activity in the region as part of an effort to rebuff China’s growing influence.
The Defense Leadership Summit was held over three days, Oct. 17-19, in Honolulu, Hawaii. More than 400 military, government, and industry leaders in construction, cybersecurity, and logistics, according to the press release.
“It was an opportunity for them to learn more about how the $858 billion in 2023 Defense Spending will translate into contracting opportunities,” the press release added.
Leon Guerrero, a registered nurse, raised her intent to build a medical complex for Guam.
“Recently, I met with my friend Admiral Chris (Lung) Aquilino, and we want to breathe new life into enhancing medical services on Guam,” she said.
In addition to critical investments needed towards healthcare, she highlighted Guam’s ongoing infrastructure projects, including road reconstruction, trans-Pacific submarine cables, and the Broadband Equity Access Deployment program.
Leon Guerrero met with key military leaders in the Indo Pacific, including Admiral Aquilino, Commander INDOPACOM, Lt. Gen. Skelenka Deputy Commander INDOPACOM, Lt. Gen Jarrad Deputy Commanding General U.S. Army Pacific, Deputy Commander Converse U.S. Pacific Fleet, and District Commander Day U.S. Coast Guard, to discuss evolving plans for military growth on Guam. mbj
James C. Moylan, Guam’s delegate to Congress, has introduced H.R. 7673, legislation that would amend the Organic Act of Guam to allow certain lands transferred from the federal government to the Government of Guam to be conveyed back to verified original landowners or their heirs.
The Office of the Governor released photos of the meeting on Feb. 26 CHamoru Standard Time with four representatives of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. U.S. Department of the Interior were also in attendance, as BOEM is part of DOI.
A new initiative for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not only direct USACE to continue its involvement in the islands but could ensure that several military construction projects in Micronesia move speedily forward.
