Thursday: Non-Military Forum Will Update Locals On How Life Will Change On Guam

Thursday: Non-Military Forum Will Update Locals On How Life Will Change On Guam

Guthertz To Welcome Guests & Participants From Philippines, U.S., And Guam



By Jeff Marchesseault

GUAM - Locals from every walk are welcome to attend the first official, large-scale non-military forum aimed at updating the public on how their everyday lives will be affected by the buildup.

Hosted by Senator Judi Guthertz at the Guam Legislature, the two-day affair starts Thursday. Admission is free.

Here is the latest news from Senator Guthtertz' office:
RP Labor Undersecretary to Confirms Attendance at "Hinasson Taotao Guåhan."

HÅGATÑA – The Undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, Republic of the Philippines will arrive on Guam tomorrow to attend the 2009 Island Conference on Public Administration, "The Military Buildup and Beyond: Hinasson Taotao Guåhan (The Guam Perspective)."

Conference organizers today confirmed the attendance of the Honorable Romeo C. Lagman of the RP Labor Department. Secretary Lagman will present a Keynote Address during the Friday session of the conference. He will touch on "The Philippine Perspective on the Guam Buildup."

"We welcome Secretary Lagman to the island and are honored to have him address the people of Guam during the conference," stated Acting Speaker Rory J. Respicio. "Secretary Lagman will provide a wealth of information on the expectations and ability of the RP government to help temporarily balance our workforce." Senator Guthertz, chairperson of the legislative Committee on the Guam Military Buildup added, "The level and quality of speakers scheduled for the conference is quite exciting. Secretary Lagman will certainly enhance our day's proceedings with extremely helpful information. We look forward to his presentation as well as that of all presenters."

Because of our island's limited population, the buildup will require the expertise of skilled and professional workers from off-island to augment Guam's current labor pool. It is expected that the Philippines will be a significant source for temporary workers under the H1 and H2 programs. Secretary Lagman is expected to provide insight on how the RP could temporarily augment our current labor pool, ensuring that contractors can meet the demands of the buildup for skilled workers and professionals.

Tomorrow, I Liheslaturan Guahan will open its doors to the 2009 Island Conference on Public Administration – "The Military Buildup and Beyond: Hinasson Taotao Guåhan (The Guam Perspective)," hosted by the Committee on the Guam Military Buildup and the Committee on Federal Affairs, in conjunction with the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration. Registration begins at 7:30a.m.