Healthcare reform too vague for many.
Thursday, 08 April 2010
by Therese Hart
Marianas Variety News Staff
CONTINUING discussions on President Obama’s national healthcare reform package have produced more questions than answers.
At last night’s meeting held by the Guam Medical Association, local physicians raised questions to Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, but she said many of their inquiries will be answered once the new law is ironed out.
Even federal government entities such as the U.S. Department of Public Health and Human Services has asked Guam’s Department of Public Health and Social Services to wait for more guidance on how the new legislation will affect Guam.
“The healthcare reform legislation is still being reviewed and analyzed by staff in our Baltimore Central Office, and we have been asked to hold off on providing guidance and answering questions at the regional level while Central Office staff carefully review the legislation,” federal health department representative Brian Zolynas stated in a letter to Tess Arcangel of the local health department.
Physicians asked about Guam’s choice of opting into the new health insurance exchanges.
Kin Perez from Bordallo’s office said if Guam decides to opt in, Guam can develop its own insurance exchange, which is currently being discussed by several local insurance companies with the government of Guam.
He added that Guam can choose to opt in with Hawaii, which, however, will affect current rates since Hawaii rates are higher than Guam.
The health insurance companies are asking GovGuam for assistance because Guam leaders—and not the insurance companies—will make the decision whether or not to opt in to the plan.
The companies have asked the government to create the high-risk insurance pool, because Guam currently doesn’t have one.
“This is going to cause all kinds of problems because it becomes effective within 90 days,” Perez said.
The high-risk insurance pool will be created within 90 days for people with existing medical conditions. The pool, backed by $5 billion in federal money, will offer subsidized premiums to people who have been uninsured for at least six months and have yet-to-be-defined medical problems.
Bordallo said local physicians are asking the same questions raised by their counterparts in the every state and that it will take time to clarify all the details.
She assured the doctors that Guam has time to get all its questions answered by 2014, the deadline for opting in or out of the new health insurance exchange.
Showing posts with label Healthcare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthcare. Show all posts
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Obama Delays Guam Trip
Obama delays trip to Guam: President to remain in D.C. for health-care reform legislation
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Sunday News • March 14, 2010
A three-day delay in President Obama's start of his trip to Asia won't prevent him from stopping on Guam.
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said the president is still planning to stop by the island.
"The president decided to delay his departure for the final effort to pass health-care-reform legislation," Bordallo said yesterday via press release. "The White House has not released any new details of the President's visit to Asia, but I have been assured by White House staff that the President is still intending to visit Guam."
Bordallo said health-care reform is one of the president's "top legislative priorities" and added that she knows once that work is done "he will certainly appreciate the warm welcome that he will receive on Guam."
According to USA Today, Obama is delaying the start of his trip to Asia -- which includes a stopover in Guam -- by three days from Thursday, March 18, to Sunday, March 21.
Also, the first family will not be accompanying him on his trip, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed in the report.
According to the Associated Press, Obama's trip will run March 21 to March 26 because Gibbs insisted that Congress act on the health legislation by March 18, which was Obama's original departure date.
Acting Gov. Michael Cruz said he knows the president's visit to Guam is still on the agenda and Adelup will continue to work with the White House in preparation for the visit.
"We were informed late last night that the President's trip has been delayed," Cruz said. "At this point, a visit to Guam remains on President Obama's agenda and we have not been notified otherwise. We will continue to work with the White House and the president's advance team to prepare for his visit."
But Cruz isn't the only one preparing for the presidential visit.
The Guam Visitors Bureau is ready to give Obama a warm Guam welcome and host an island-style fiesta if it gets clearance to do so. It is also looking to shower the president with souvenirs.
Others are hoping that Obama will have enough time to address the community.
Several local senators have sent letters to the president asking him to meet with the local community.
In addition, the political action group We Are Guåhan submitted a petition with more than 11,000 electronic signatures asking President Obama to speak with the local community when he makes his visit. We Are Guåhan said it sent its petition to the White House on Thursday via e-mail and through the postal service.
Obama is scheduled to meet with Gov. Felix Camacho and it is still uncertain if the president will make a public address or discuss buildup issues with other members of the government or community.
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Sunday News • March 14, 2010
A three-day delay in President Obama's start of his trip to Asia won't prevent him from stopping on Guam.
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said the president is still planning to stop by the island.
"The president decided to delay his departure for the final effort to pass health-care-reform legislation," Bordallo said yesterday via press release. "The White House has not released any new details of the President's visit to Asia, but I have been assured by White House staff that the President is still intending to visit Guam."
Bordallo said health-care reform is one of the president's "top legislative priorities" and added that she knows once that work is done "he will certainly appreciate the warm welcome that he will receive on Guam."
According to USA Today, Obama is delaying the start of his trip to Asia -- which includes a stopover in Guam -- by three days from Thursday, March 18, to Sunday, March 21.
Also, the first family will not be accompanying him on his trip, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed in the report.
According to the Associated Press, Obama's trip will run March 21 to March 26 because Gibbs insisted that Congress act on the health legislation by March 18, which was Obama's original departure date.
Acting Gov. Michael Cruz said he knows the president's visit to Guam is still on the agenda and Adelup will continue to work with the White House in preparation for the visit.
"We were informed late last night that the President's trip has been delayed," Cruz said. "At this point, a visit to Guam remains on President Obama's agenda and we have not been notified otherwise. We will continue to work with the White House and the president's advance team to prepare for his visit."
But Cruz isn't the only one preparing for the presidential visit.
The Guam Visitors Bureau is ready to give Obama a warm Guam welcome and host an island-style fiesta if it gets clearance to do so. It is also looking to shower the president with souvenirs.
Others are hoping that Obama will have enough time to address the community.
Several local senators have sent letters to the president asking him to meet with the local community.
In addition, the political action group We Are Guåhan submitted a petition with more than 11,000 electronic signatures asking President Obama to speak with the local community when he makes his visit. We Are Guåhan said it sent its petition to the White House on Thursday via e-mail and through the postal service.
Obama is scheduled to meet with Gov. Felix Camacho and it is still uncertain if the president will make a public address or discuss buildup issues with other members of the government or community.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Bordallo addresses people of Guam
Bordallo addresses people of Guam
Posted: Feb 16, 2010 7:27 PM
Updated: Feb 17, 2010 9:05 AM
by Sabrina Salas Matanane
*Madeleine Bordallo's Congressional Address
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/gu00_bordallo/congressional_address.html
Guam - Serving her fourth term in office, Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo delivered her annual Congressional Report on issues she has been working on over the last year as well as projects she is currently working on or will work on in the future. Here is a summary of the issues she touched on in her address before the Guam Legislature Tuesday evening:
* Bordallo discussed the issue of War Reparations and how she is pushing for its inclusion in this year's National Defense Bill.
* She plans to request increase funding for Compact Impact
* She will assist DOE in getting help from USDOE to resolve its funding crisis
The biggest chunk of her address was dedicated to the military buildup and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Bordallo listed off six areas of concern:
1. The Navy's Plans to acquire more land for the buildup: Bordallo said she will challenge the Navy to conduct the buildup within its existing footprint
2. Proposed Firing Ranges in Pagat and Sasayan: Bordallo said she is opposed to eminent domain and will ask the navy to re-evaluate the use of Naval Magazine as well as training ranges in Tinian as an alternative.
3. Air Craft Carrier Berthing: Bordallo plans to challenge the Navy to identify other alternatives that will minimize coral damage and take advantage are Kilo or Delta Wharves.
4. Lack of Financial Commitment from the Federal Government to fund civilian infrastructure projects: Bordallo is calling on the Navy to address this issue in a serious manner.
5. Lack of comprehensive housing for guest workers and providing healthcare needs in a manner that does not further overwhelm the island's infrastructure and healthcare system.
6. Socio-Economic Impact: Bordallo said the DEIS portion must be completely re-written in order to truly address the socio-economic impacts of the buildup.
The Congresswoman, meanwhile, said she supports the Governor's efforts to extend the construction timeline for the buildup. She said that in her comments she will submit on the Draft EIS she will request the Navy to provide a more realistic timeline and adjust the EIS analysis to reflect a realistic construction phase of eight to ten years.
In closing Bordallo mentioned President Barack Obama's upcoming visit next month which will give him an opportunity to hear the island's concerns. She ended by thanking the people of Guam and also recognized the men and women from Guam who are currently serving in harm's way in the Middle East.
Posted: Feb 16, 2010 7:27 PM
Updated: Feb 17, 2010 9:05 AM
by Sabrina Salas Matanane
*Madeleine Bordallo's Congressional Address
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/gu00_bordallo/congressional_address.html
Guam - Serving her fourth term in office, Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo delivered her annual Congressional Report on issues she has been working on over the last year as well as projects she is currently working on or will work on in the future. Here is a summary of the issues she touched on in her address before the Guam Legislature Tuesday evening:
* Bordallo discussed the issue of War Reparations and how she is pushing for its inclusion in this year's National Defense Bill.
* She plans to request increase funding for Compact Impact
* She will assist DOE in getting help from USDOE to resolve its funding crisis
The biggest chunk of her address was dedicated to the military buildup and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Bordallo listed off six areas of concern:
1. The Navy's Plans to acquire more land for the buildup: Bordallo said she will challenge the Navy to conduct the buildup within its existing footprint
2. Proposed Firing Ranges in Pagat and Sasayan: Bordallo said she is opposed to eminent domain and will ask the navy to re-evaluate the use of Naval Magazine as well as training ranges in Tinian as an alternative.
3. Air Craft Carrier Berthing: Bordallo plans to challenge the Navy to identify other alternatives that will minimize coral damage and take advantage are Kilo or Delta Wharves.
4. Lack of Financial Commitment from the Federal Government to fund civilian infrastructure projects: Bordallo is calling on the Navy to address this issue in a serious manner.
5. Lack of comprehensive housing for guest workers and providing healthcare needs in a manner that does not further overwhelm the island's infrastructure and healthcare system.
6. Socio-Economic Impact: Bordallo said the DEIS portion must be completely re-written in order to truly address the socio-economic impacts of the buildup.
The Congresswoman, meanwhile, said she supports the Governor's efforts to extend the construction timeline for the buildup. She said that in her comments she will submit on the Draft EIS she will request the Navy to provide a more realistic timeline and adjust the EIS analysis to reflect a realistic construction phase of eight to ten years.
In closing Bordallo mentioned President Barack Obama's upcoming visit next month which will give him an opportunity to hear the island's concerns. She ended by thanking the people of Guam and also recognized the men and women from Guam who are currently serving in harm's way in the Middle East.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Deadline looms for comments
Deadline looms for comments
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
The 90-day period for the public to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is coming to a close.
Residents now have three days left to submit their comments and recommendations on the draft EIS for consideration by the Department of Defense regarding the transfer of Marines from Okinawa to Guam.
The comment period ends at midnight Feb. 17 in the U.S. mainland time, or 3 p.m. Feb. 18 on Guam.
About 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be moving from Okinawa to the island by 2015. To prepare for their arrival, numerous construction projects must be completed. The buildup is expected to increase Guam's population by about 80,000, mostly from construction workers and others in jobs related to the buildup.
About 33,000 jobs will be created, the draft EIS said.
The draft EIS gives a detailed account of how Guam's community will change because of the buildup. The Joint Guam Program Office and a team of socioeconomic experts collected feedback from the Guam and CNMI governors, the Chambers of Commerce, other island resources and community experts to assess the impact of the relocation of Marines will have on the island's education, health-care services, employment opportunities, property values, crime, cost of living and other socioeconomic issues.
Hearings on the draft EIS have resulted in many comments from Guam residents about the buildup, including many expressing concern over possible changes.
But still there are some residents who haven't submitted a comment to the Department of Defense and don't intend to.
"The voice of the people here on Guam doesn't matter," said Agana Heights resident Victor Mendiola, 40. "Without the United States monitoring Guam, we would be in chaos."
Mendiola said because Guam has no factories and exports, the military is needed.
"Guam can survive without the buildup, but it can't survive without the military," Mendiola said. "The buildup will do something for us here."
Though he doesn't plan to submit comments on the military's proposed buildup, he has some concerns. Mendiola said the buildup will both benefit Guam and adversely affect it.
"What concerns me is the number of people coming here and the planning of the government," Mendiola said. "They don't plan for the next 10 years, you see. Guam doesn't have the infrastructure to sustain us even now. ... But as for bringing the military here, just consider them tourists -- they switch in and out, and they bring money."
Santa Rita resident Doris Mead, 52, said that's money that could stir Guam's economy. She doesn't plan to submit comments on the buildup either, but said she does support the buildup.
"That's more jobs and stuff like that and it helps out the island, more or less," Mead said. "The only concerns I have are water problems and power. Where I live, water pressure is very low now."
Recently, southern residents were asked to conserve water for six weeks as the Guam Waterworks Authority upgrades its Ugum treatment plant. The agency needs to close half of the plant while contractors install a new membrane filtration system.
'Big adjustment'
For Anabel Takai, a 47-year-old from Yigo, what worries her is what will happen in the job market. As a rooms manager at one of Guam's hotels, she believes new jobs associated with the buildup will snatch away good laborers.
"It's going to be a big adjustment," she said. "(The buildup) will start job openings and it will have an effect on wages. ... The minimum-wage workers will leave for the better-paying jobs."
Takai said she will submit her comments on the buildup before the deadline.
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
The 90-day period for the public to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is coming to a close.
Residents now have three days left to submit their comments and recommendations on the draft EIS for consideration by the Department of Defense regarding the transfer of Marines from Okinawa to Guam.
The comment period ends at midnight Feb. 17 in the U.S. mainland time, or 3 p.m. Feb. 18 on Guam.
About 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be moving from Okinawa to the island by 2015. To prepare for their arrival, numerous construction projects must be completed. The buildup is expected to increase Guam's population by about 80,000, mostly from construction workers and others in jobs related to the buildup.
About 33,000 jobs will be created, the draft EIS said.
The draft EIS gives a detailed account of how Guam's community will change because of the buildup. The Joint Guam Program Office and a team of socioeconomic experts collected feedback from the Guam and CNMI governors, the Chambers of Commerce, other island resources and community experts to assess the impact of the relocation of Marines will have on the island's education, health-care services, employment opportunities, property values, crime, cost of living and other socioeconomic issues.
Hearings on the draft EIS have resulted in many comments from Guam residents about the buildup, including many expressing concern over possible changes.
But still there are some residents who haven't submitted a comment to the Department of Defense and don't intend to.
"The voice of the people here on Guam doesn't matter," said Agana Heights resident Victor Mendiola, 40. "Without the United States monitoring Guam, we would be in chaos."
Mendiola said because Guam has no factories and exports, the military is needed.
"Guam can survive without the buildup, but it can't survive without the military," Mendiola said. "The buildup will do something for us here."
Though he doesn't plan to submit comments on the military's proposed buildup, he has some concerns. Mendiola said the buildup will both benefit Guam and adversely affect it.
"What concerns me is the number of people coming here and the planning of the government," Mendiola said. "They don't plan for the next 10 years, you see. Guam doesn't have the infrastructure to sustain us even now. ... But as for bringing the military here, just consider them tourists -- they switch in and out, and they bring money."
Santa Rita resident Doris Mead, 52, said that's money that could stir Guam's economy. She doesn't plan to submit comments on the buildup either, but said she does support the buildup.
"That's more jobs and stuff like that and it helps out the island, more or less," Mead said. "The only concerns I have are water problems and power. Where I live, water pressure is very low now."
Recently, southern residents were asked to conserve water for six weeks as the Guam Waterworks Authority upgrades its Ugum treatment plant. The agency needs to close half of the plant while contractors install a new membrane filtration system.
'Big adjustment'
For Anabel Takai, a 47-year-old from Yigo, what worries her is what will happen in the job market. As a rooms manager at one of Guam's hotels, she believes new jobs associated with the buildup will snatch away good laborers.
"It's going to be a big adjustment," she said. "(The buildup) will start job openings and it will have an effect on wages. ... The minimum-wage workers will leave for the better-paying jobs."
Takai said she will submit her comments on the buildup before the deadline.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
PNC :: Vice-Speaker Cruz Says DEIS is Deficient
PNC :: Vice-Speaker Cruz Says DEIS is Deficient
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Guam - Vice-Speaker Cruz says that the military's Draft Environmental Impact Statement is deficient.
Cruz says after holding a roundtable meeting with Department of Mental Health and Social Services officials he found that the DEIS did a poor job of determining the impact the military buildup would have on Guam's Mental Health agency. According to Cruz U.S. military personel and their dependents do use Guam's Department of Mental Health.
Cruz says that Dr. Leightheiser told lawmakers that 20% of the patients at Mental Health are military or their dependents. He says that what's worse is that the DEIS doesn't address this.
The Vice-Speaker says that part of the problem is that many of the people who wrote the DEIS didn't even come to Guam and most of the DEIS was written from the states.
Written by : Clynt Ridgell
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Guam - Vice-Speaker Cruz says that the military's Draft Environmental Impact Statement is deficient.
Cruz says after holding a roundtable meeting with Department of Mental Health and Social Services officials he found that the DEIS did a poor job of determining the impact the military buildup would have on Guam's Mental Health agency. According to Cruz U.S. military personel and their dependents do use Guam's Department of Mental Health.
Cruz says that Dr. Leightheiser told lawmakers that 20% of the patients at Mental Health are military or their dependents. He says that what's worse is that the DEIS doesn't address this.
The Vice-Speaker says that part of the problem is that many of the people who wrote the DEIS didn't even come to Guam and most of the DEIS was written from the states.
Written by : Clynt Ridgell
Friday, February 12, 2010
Vice-speaker calls for DEIS rewrite
Vice-speaker calls for DEIS rewrite
Posted: Feb 09, 2010 4:16 PM
Updated: Feb 09, 2010 4:16 PM
by Janjeera Hail
Guam - Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz would like to see the Draft Environmental Impact Statement rewritten to include a more comprehensive analysis on how the Department of Mental Health and the Guam Memorial Hospital will be affected by the military buildup. Such was the sentiment of letters he sent to Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and Joint Guam Program Office Executive Director David Bice.
At Friday's healthcare roundtable, Mental Health Clinical Administrator Dr. Andrea Leitheiser said that the military makes up 20% of consumers, a number Cruz feels justifies his request for a closer look. "If we're going to have 8,000 more Marines, that 20% is going to be even higher - so we've got to address that. We're already in trouble with Mental Health. We need more professionals both there and at the hospitals."
Cruz originally raised his concerns at the congresswoman's town hall meetings and meetings with the military.
Posted: Feb 09, 2010 4:16 PM
Updated: Feb 09, 2010 4:16 PM
by Janjeera Hail
Guam - Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz would like to see the Draft Environmental Impact Statement rewritten to include a more comprehensive analysis on how the Department of Mental Health and the Guam Memorial Hospital will be affected by the military buildup. Such was the sentiment of letters he sent to Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and Joint Guam Program Office Executive Director David Bice.
At Friday's healthcare roundtable, Mental Health Clinical Administrator Dr. Andrea Leitheiser said that the military makes up 20% of consumers, a number Cruz feels justifies his request for a closer look. "If we're going to have 8,000 more Marines, that 20% is going to be even higher - so we've got to address that. We're already in trouble with Mental Health. We need more professionals both there and at the hospitals."
Cruz originally raised his concerns at the congresswoman's town hall meetings and meetings with the military.
Cruz to Bice: Get to grips with local issues
Cruz to Bice: Get to grips with local issues
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:03
by Jennifer Naylor Gesick |
Variety News Staff
VICE speaker BJ Cruz sent the Joint Guam Program Office a letter and two DVD copies of Thursday’s roundtable discussions on the military buildup’s impact on Guam healthcare at the legislature.
“You will see from the DVDs the degree of uncertainty that the heads of Guam’s health care agencies and their staff have regarding the impact that the buildup will have on their ability to provide needed services,” Cruz stated in his letter sent Friday to Major Gen. David Bice, executive director of JGPO. “I submit that the same is true government wide.”
Cruz specifically identified the Guam Memorial Hospital and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse as among the healthcare agencies that will need assistance in preparation for the troop buildup.
Cruz urged Bice to watch the DVDs “to get a clearer picture of the current state of Guam’s health care system and the impact that the buildup would have on Guam’s capacity to provide services in the various health care disciplines.”
“You have no doubt heard it said that the [draft environmental impact statement] raises more questions than what it answers,” wrote Cruz. “This is indicative of the deficiency of the [draft study] in addressing important buildup issues.”
The vice speaker asked Bice to note that 20 percent of DMHSA’s clients are military personnel and their families as reported by Dr. Andrea Leithheiser, psychologist and clinical administrator of DMHSA, during the roundtable discussion.
Cruz pointed out that the projected increase in Guam’s population will strain DMHSA’s ability to provide services.
He also warned the mental health department will be “crippled” if its staff is not adequately augmented to possibly treat Marines who have served one or more war zone tours.
“Whether or not DMHSA will receive the help it would need to support the buildup remains a big question. The [draft impact report] does not address it,” Cruz concluded.
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:03
by Jennifer Naylor Gesick |
Variety News Staff
VICE speaker BJ Cruz sent the Joint Guam Program Office a letter and two DVD copies of Thursday’s roundtable discussions on the military buildup’s impact on Guam healthcare at the legislature.
“You will see from the DVDs the degree of uncertainty that the heads of Guam’s health care agencies and their staff have regarding the impact that the buildup will have on their ability to provide needed services,” Cruz stated in his letter sent Friday to Major Gen. David Bice, executive director of JGPO. “I submit that the same is true government wide.”
Cruz specifically identified the Guam Memorial Hospital and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse as among the healthcare agencies that will need assistance in preparation for the troop buildup.
Cruz urged Bice to watch the DVDs “to get a clearer picture of the current state of Guam’s health care system and the impact that the buildup would have on Guam’s capacity to provide services in the various health care disciplines.”
“You have no doubt heard it said that the [draft environmental impact statement] raises more questions than what it answers,” wrote Cruz. “This is indicative of the deficiency of the [draft study] in addressing important buildup issues.”
The vice speaker asked Bice to note that 20 percent of DMHSA’s clients are military personnel and their families as reported by Dr. Andrea Leithheiser, psychologist and clinical administrator of DMHSA, during the roundtable discussion.
Cruz pointed out that the projected increase in Guam’s population will strain DMHSA’s ability to provide services.
He also warned the mental health department will be “crippled” if its staff is not adequately augmented to possibly treat Marines who have served one or more war zone tours.
“Whether or not DMHSA will receive the help it would need to support the buildup remains a big question. The [draft impact report] does not address it,” Cruz concluded.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Upped demand for social services worries agencies
Upped demand for social services worries agencies
Friday, 05 February 2010 01:01
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
THE anticipation of over 35,000 civilians who will make Guam their home once the military buildup has reached steady state by 2014 and the impact of increased demand for services are a serious matter that department heads acknowledged yesterday.
However, officials have yet to quantify the financial impact of providing social services to these newcomers.
“This information is critical because these costs need to be quantified and I was hoping that was what these departments and agencies had. It was very, very disappointing. It’s a lot of information, I understand this,” said Sen. Frank Aguon Jr., chairman of the health committee.
“The problem is that they’re working their daily job, but it might be that they don’t have the capacity or the expertise to be able to go out and get those numbers. If you don’t have the resources to get those critical numbers, then how are we going to know exactly how much it’s going to cost to meet our needs,” he added.
During the committee’s roundtable discussion, heads of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disablities, informed lawmakers that their departments are not ready for the additional influx of people.
However, not all of them could provide numbers as to what their agency would need and what each agency’s plan was to meet the increase.
Each one reiterated the shortages at all levels of critical health care positions such as the lack of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists, social workers, case workers, and other health and social care providers that are critical to the daily operations of each department.
Aguon said he had hoped that the presentations would have provided solid information that were quantifiable in terms of how much each department will need to hire, maintain and enhance its department so that the information will be provided to the federal government in which Guam can say it has the numbers and will the government assist in funding these critical needs.
DISID director Rosanne Ada identified buildup-related issues that would greatly affect the services it provides and the direct impact to its disabled consumers.
Ada said the influx of immigrants from neighboring islands and military dependents seeking jobs may reduce the number of job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Nevertheless, Ada said that military dependents and families of contract workers may be a source of professional and technical resources for specialized needs of individuals with disabilities such as therapeutic foster parents, teachers, nurses, therapists, job coaches and language interpreters.
Ada did not know if the military will give seeing impaired vendors first priority to operate vending shops on military property under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, or whether the military dining and recreational facilities would train and hire individuals with disabilities.
Another issue is that DISID has not had the chance to establish credible policies and procedures and standards of care that are anywhere near the Department of Defense standard of care and so DISID stands at risk of providing services that may be perceived by the military as sub-standard care, said Dr. Zeni Natividad.
Friday, 05 February 2010 01:01
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
THE anticipation of over 35,000 civilians who will make Guam their home once the military buildup has reached steady state by 2014 and the impact of increased demand for services are a serious matter that department heads acknowledged yesterday.
However, officials have yet to quantify the financial impact of providing social services to these newcomers.
“This information is critical because these costs need to be quantified and I was hoping that was what these departments and agencies had. It was very, very disappointing. It’s a lot of information, I understand this,” said Sen. Frank Aguon Jr., chairman of the health committee.
“The problem is that they’re working their daily job, but it might be that they don’t have the capacity or the expertise to be able to go out and get those numbers. If you don’t have the resources to get those critical numbers, then how are we going to know exactly how much it’s going to cost to meet our needs,” he added.
During the committee’s roundtable discussion, heads of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disablities, informed lawmakers that their departments are not ready for the additional influx of people.
However, not all of them could provide numbers as to what their agency would need and what each agency’s plan was to meet the increase.
Each one reiterated the shortages at all levels of critical health care positions such as the lack of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists, social workers, case workers, and other health and social care providers that are critical to the daily operations of each department.
Aguon said he had hoped that the presentations would have provided solid information that were quantifiable in terms of how much each department will need to hire, maintain and enhance its department so that the information will be provided to the federal government in which Guam can say it has the numbers and will the government assist in funding these critical needs.
DISID director Rosanne Ada identified buildup-related issues that would greatly affect the services it provides and the direct impact to its disabled consumers.
Ada said the influx of immigrants from neighboring islands and military dependents seeking jobs may reduce the number of job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Nevertheless, Ada said that military dependents and families of contract workers may be a source of professional and technical resources for specialized needs of individuals with disabilities such as therapeutic foster parents, teachers, nurses, therapists, job coaches and language interpreters.
Ada did not know if the military will give seeing impaired vendors first priority to operate vending shops on military property under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, or whether the military dining and recreational facilities would train and hire individuals with disabilities.
Another issue is that DISID has not had the chance to establish credible policies and procedures and standards of care that are anywhere near the Department of Defense standard of care and so DISID stands at risk of providing services that may be perceived by the military as sub-standard care, said Dr. Zeni Natividad.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Buildup's healthcare impacts discussed
Buildup's healthcare impacts discussed
Posted: Feb 03, 2010 10:11 PM PST
by Janjeera Hail
Guam - Serious concerns were raised at this morning's roundtable meeting as government and healthcare leaders met to discuss how the military buildup will impact healthcare in the coming years. This morning representatives from the island's major health departments met with the 30th Guam Legislature's Health Committee to discuss their concerns on how the military buildup will impact care on Guam.
Key staff from DISID, Mental Health, Public Health and the Guam Memorial Hospital spoke about the challenges that would come with the buildup, particularly that Guam is already struggling for resources based on the current demand for services. GMH Administrator Peter John Camacho said, "We think about the buildup and some of that is already happening, we're faced with that every day now. And so we're looking at how we can adjust to meet those needs now and still looking ahead to 2014."
In order to serve a growing population, the island will need to attract more qualified healthcare professionals. But according to Public Health Chief Public Health Officer Marylou Loualhati, even the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is underestimating just how many will be needed and Guam is already faces challenges with recruiting.
"It has to do with compensation. We have a difficult time recruiting even though we're considered and classified as a health professional shortage area we still do not have the number of doctors that we need to have in our community health centers," she said.
Mental Health Clinical Administrator Dr. Andrea Leitheiser says that although the military has its own health services, the buildup will still be a strain on her agency because there may also be a large number of servicemen coming to Mental Health to avoid alerting their commanding officers. Like her colleagues at other agencies, she felt that the DEIS just didn't have enough information.
She said, "My personal opinion no. we do need more utilization rates. We need to know for the incoming serviceman just what occurred. What were the diagnosis, what was the treatment, what was the outcome. We also need to know what they did in the community. We also need to know about the debriefing."
Today's roundtable emphasized a lot of the existing concerns associated with healthcare and the military buildup, but also stressed the importance of the need for more information.
Posted: Feb 03, 2010 10:11 PM PST
by Janjeera Hail
Guam - Serious concerns were raised at this morning's roundtable meeting as government and healthcare leaders met to discuss how the military buildup will impact healthcare in the coming years. This morning representatives from the island's major health departments met with the 30th Guam Legislature's Health Committee to discuss their concerns on how the military buildup will impact care on Guam.
Key staff from DISID, Mental Health, Public Health and the Guam Memorial Hospital spoke about the challenges that would come with the buildup, particularly that Guam is already struggling for resources based on the current demand for services. GMH Administrator Peter John Camacho said, "We think about the buildup and some of that is already happening, we're faced with that every day now. And so we're looking at how we can adjust to meet those needs now and still looking ahead to 2014."
In order to serve a growing population, the island will need to attract more qualified healthcare professionals. But according to Public Health Chief Public Health Officer Marylou Loualhati, even the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is underestimating just how many will be needed and Guam is already faces challenges with recruiting.
"It has to do with compensation. We have a difficult time recruiting even though we're considered and classified as a health professional shortage area we still do not have the number of doctors that we need to have in our community health centers," she said.
Mental Health Clinical Administrator Dr. Andrea Leitheiser says that although the military has its own health services, the buildup will still be a strain on her agency because there may also be a large number of servicemen coming to Mental Health to avoid alerting their commanding officers. Like her colleagues at other agencies, she felt that the DEIS just didn't have enough information.
She said, "My personal opinion no. we do need more utilization rates. We need to know for the incoming serviceman just what occurred. What were the diagnosis, what was the treatment, what was the outcome. We also need to know what they did in the community. We also need to know about the debriefing."
Today's roundtable emphasized a lot of the existing concerns associated with healthcare and the military buildup, but also stressed the importance of the need for more information.
Healthcare pros evaluating Guam needs
Healthcare pros evaluating Guam needs
Posted: Feb 03, 2010 3:55 PM
Updated: Feb 03, 2010 3:55 PM
by Janjeera Hail
Guam - Representatives from the operator of Guam's future private hospital are on-island conducting a survey of local patients' needs. Because of a confidentiality agreement, none of the representatives could speak on-camera, but Guam Healthcare and Hospital Development Foundation Chairperson Peter Sgro would reveal that one of the visiting team leaders is a former Army surgeon general and former commanding officer of Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.
"Their purpose to be on Guam for the next four days is to determine what is the specialty services that are needed by the people of Guam," said Sgro. "They are doing studies on why are people leaving island for care? How many people are leaving island for care?"
Posted: Feb 03, 2010 3:55 PM
Updated: Feb 03, 2010 3:55 PM
by Janjeera Hail
Guam - Representatives from the operator of Guam's future private hospital are on-island conducting a survey of local patients' needs. Because of a confidentiality agreement, none of the representatives could speak on-camera, but Guam Healthcare and Hospital Development Foundation Chairperson Peter Sgro would reveal that one of the visiting team leaders is a former Army surgeon general and former commanding officer of Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.
"Their purpose to be on Guam for the next four days is to determine what is the specialty services that are needed by the people of Guam," said Sgro. "They are doing studies on why are people leaving island for care? How many people are leaving island for care?"
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Panel to tackle buildup’s impact on healthcare
Panel to tackle buildup’s impact on healthcare
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 00:19
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
SENATOR Frank Aguon, Jr. will meet with directors and key staff of agencies on Thursday to discuss the impact of the military buildup on healthcare and services, which have receded to the sideline in public discussions.
“With the US military plans to redeploy thousands of Marines and their families we need to be prepared and make sure that our current health care resources will not diminish and our health care services will not suffer due to the increase of the Guam population,” said Aguon, chairman of the legislative health committee.
“We are all aware that we are currently facing so many challenges in improving health care services. The current situations on our present health care system and the question whether we are ready to embrace additional consumers are in urgent need to be addressed and answered,” he added.
Aguon said the meeting will seek to identify measurable solutions and plans to this bigger challenge.”
Aguon will meet directors and key staff of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Department of Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Department of Public Health and Social Services and Guam Memorial Hospital Authority.
“I want to know if they realize the enormous impact their department will face when the buildup happens and what plans they have to meet the demand and how and when they will implement it,” he said.
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 00:19
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
SENATOR Frank Aguon, Jr. will meet with directors and key staff of agencies on Thursday to discuss the impact of the military buildup on healthcare and services, which have receded to the sideline in public discussions.
“With the US military plans to redeploy thousands of Marines and their families we need to be prepared and make sure that our current health care resources will not diminish and our health care services will not suffer due to the increase of the Guam population,” said Aguon, chairman of the legislative health committee.
“We are all aware that we are currently facing so many challenges in improving health care services. The current situations on our present health care system and the question whether we are ready to embrace additional consumers are in urgent need to be addressed and answered,” he added.
Aguon said the meeting will seek to identify measurable solutions and plans to this bigger challenge.”
Aguon will meet directors and key staff of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Department of Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Department of Public Health and Social Services and Guam Memorial Hospital Authority.
“I want to know if they realize the enormous impact their department will face when the buildup happens and what plans they have to meet the demand and how and when they will implement it,” he said.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement not the final say, Bordallo says
Draft Environmental Impact Statement not the final say, Bordallo says
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • February 1, 2010
Southern residents submitted recommendations to Delegate Madeleine Bordallo yesterday on how they said the military could lessen the adverse impact of the buildup on Guam.
From impact on culture to health care, environment and water, residents who attended the town hall meeting at the Agat Community Center covered areas of the draft Environmental Impact Statement some of them believe should be improved for a successful buildup.
The community has until Feb. 17 to respond to the draft EIS before it is finalized.
Santa Rita resident and war survivor Tom Barcinas told Bordallo that if all the major players in the buildup demonstrate efforts to work on the people's concerns, then residents and the additional population can "coexist and live harmoniously" on Guam.
"America needs Guam and Guam needs America -- this we all agree," Barcinas said.
About 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be transferred from Okinawa in Japan to Guam. In order to prepare for their arrival, construction and other buildup jobs will attract a civilian population of nearly 80,000 in 2014, which is half of the island's current population.
The Joint Guam Program Office, along with a team of socioeconomic experts, collected feedback from the Guam and CNMI governors, the Chambers of Commerce, other island resources and community experts to assess the impact the relocation of Marines to Guam will have on the island's education, health care services, employment opportunities, property values, crime, cost of living and other socioeconomic issues.
Barcinas said the buildup will definitely impact the culture, values and customs, even the language.
"This is indeed a very high price to pay," he said. "The Chamorros are once again called upon to endure the burden of patriotism as a loyalty to America."
He proposed that the federal government consider that all non-military, buildup-related personnel should utilize the Naval Hospital since Guam Memorial Hospital can't accommodate them.
Barcinas added that the military should pay for each gallon of water taken from the new wells to be installed.
Consolidated Commission on Utilities Chairman Simon Sanchez has said the Defense Department already is a customer of Guam Waterworks Authority and will continue to be for wastewater treatment services, Pacific Daily News files state. According to Sanchez, the Defense Department is willing to cover all costs associated with the direct impact of its actions, but the improvements to GWA facilities will help improve the quality and help reduce the cost of utilities for Guam's civilians as well.
The military could install as many as 22 wells on the island, on existing military property over the northern aquifer, the draft EIS states.
"The military will pay 10 cents, 5 cents -- I don't care -- per gallon for water from any additional water wells," Barcinas said. "Pay for all upgrades of the island's infrastructure related to the buildup -- power, water, sewer and so on. Toxic contamination on Guam, clean them all up ASAP. No land excavation, dredging that will alter ... the ecosystem of the island."
Should anyone get sick as a result of the military's dredging, he said, they should be compensated.
Agat Mayor Carol Tayama said her main concern as the buildup period inches closer is the availability of water.
"We are always in trouble with water," she said. "And I do want the people to talk about it. Are we going to have adequate supply in the buildup?"
On Friday, southern residents were asked to conserve water for six weeks while the Guam Waterworks Authority upgrades its Ugum treatment plant. For the upgrade, the agency needs to close half of the plant while the contractors install a new membrane filtration system.
While that upgrade will affect residents in Talofofo, Inarajan, Merizo and Umatac, those in Santa Rita, Agat and Nimitz Hill have problems of their own, as the latter gets their water from the Fena Lake treatment plant.
That plant is owned and privately operated by the Navy and GWA buys water from the Navy to provide for the water needs of residents in Santa Rita, Agat and Nimitz Hill, according to Pacific Daily News files.
"There are some days -- and it goes into two weeks -- where some areas have low water pressure to no water pressure," Tayama said. "Or they have to shut it off at a certain time as the lake gets dry and they don't have enough to feed us or where they have to make sure it's clean water coming to us."
Noting that she hears all the issues, Bordallo said residents should know that the draft EIS is not the final say. She told residents that their comments will be used to have a final EIS that addresses all their issues.
Final EIS to have comment period
Residents will get 30 days to look at the final EIS.
"This draft document is a starting point, not an ending point to the process," Bordallo said. "We are out here trying to get the reading from the people of Guam as to the buildup ... and that's why we are here to take your sentiments back to Washington, D.C."
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • February 1, 2010
Southern residents submitted recommendations to Delegate Madeleine Bordallo yesterday on how they said the military could lessen the adverse impact of the buildup on Guam.
From impact on culture to health care, environment and water, residents who attended the town hall meeting at the Agat Community Center covered areas of the draft Environmental Impact Statement some of them believe should be improved for a successful buildup.
The community has until Feb. 17 to respond to the draft EIS before it is finalized.
Santa Rita resident and war survivor Tom Barcinas told Bordallo that if all the major players in the buildup demonstrate efforts to work on the people's concerns, then residents and the additional population can "coexist and live harmoniously" on Guam.
"America needs Guam and Guam needs America -- this we all agree," Barcinas said.
About 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be transferred from Okinawa in Japan to Guam. In order to prepare for their arrival, construction and other buildup jobs will attract a civilian population of nearly 80,000 in 2014, which is half of the island's current population.
The Joint Guam Program Office, along with a team of socioeconomic experts, collected feedback from the Guam and CNMI governors, the Chambers of Commerce, other island resources and community experts to assess the impact the relocation of Marines to Guam will have on the island's education, health care services, employment opportunities, property values, crime, cost of living and other socioeconomic issues.
Barcinas said the buildup will definitely impact the culture, values and customs, even the language.
"This is indeed a very high price to pay," he said. "The Chamorros are once again called upon to endure the burden of patriotism as a loyalty to America."
He proposed that the federal government consider that all non-military, buildup-related personnel should utilize the Naval Hospital since Guam Memorial Hospital can't accommodate them.
Barcinas added that the military should pay for each gallon of water taken from the new wells to be installed.
Consolidated Commission on Utilities Chairman Simon Sanchez has said the Defense Department already is a customer of Guam Waterworks Authority and will continue to be for wastewater treatment services, Pacific Daily News files state. According to Sanchez, the Defense Department is willing to cover all costs associated with the direct impact of its actions, but the improvements to GWA facilities will help improve the quality and help reduce the cost of utilities for Guam's civilians as well.
The military could install as many as 22 wells on the island, on existing military property over the northern aquifer, the draft EIS states.
"The military will pay 10 cents, 5 cents -- I don't care -- per gallon for water from any additional water wells," Barcinas said. "Pay for all upgrades of the island's infrastructure related to the buildup -- power, water, sewer and so on. Toxic contamination on Guam, clean them all up ASAP. No land excavation, dredging that will alter ... the ecosystem of the island."
Should anyone get sick as a result of the military's dredging, he said, they should be compensated.
Agat Mayor Carol Tayama said her main concern as the buildup period inches closer is the availability of water.
"We are always in trouble with water," she said. "And I do want the people to talk about it. Are we going to have adequate supply in the buildup?"
On Friday, southern residents were asked to conserve water for six weeks while the Guam Waterworks Authority upgrades its Ugum treatment plant. For the upgrade, the agency needs to close half of the plant while the contractors install a new membrane filtration system.
While that upgrade will affect residents in Talofofo, Inarajan, Merizo and Umatac, those in Santa Rita, Agat and Nimitz Hill have problems of their own, as the latter gets their water from the Fena Lake treatment plant.
That plant is owned and privately operated by the Navy and GWA buys water from the Navy to provide for the water needs of residents in Santa Rita, Agat and Nimitz Hill, according to Pacific Daily News files.
"There are some days -- and it goes into two weeks -- where some areas have low water pressure to no water pressure," Tayama said. "Or they have to shut it off at a certain time as the lake gets dry and they don't have enough to feed us or where they have to make sure it's clean water coming to us."
Noting that she hears all the issues, Bordallo said residents should know that the draft EIS is not the final say. She told residents that their comments will be used to have a final EIS that addresses all their issues.
Final EIS to have comment period
Residents will get 30 days to look at the final EIS.
"This draft document is a starting point, not an ending point to the process," Bordallo said. "We are out here trying to get the reading from the people of Guam as to the buildup ... and that's why we are here to take your sentiments back to Washington, D.C."
PNC :: Senator Aguon To Meet With Health Directors On Buildup Impact
PNC :: Senator Aguon To Meet With Health Directors On Buildup Impact
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Guam - Senator Frank Aguon, Jr. will meet directors and key staff of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
(DMHSA), Department of Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) and Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) to discuss the impact of the military buildup on health care and services on Guam.
A roundtable discussion will be held on February 4, 2010 at 9 AM in the Public Hearing Room of Guam Legislature with the attendance of DMHSA Acting Director Elisabeth Cruz, DISID Director Rosanna Ada , DPHSS Director J. Peter Roberto and GMHA Administrator Peter John Camacho.
Senator Aguon, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development Health and Human Services, and Judiciary along with members of the Committee want to discuss health issues and concerns of each health agency to be able to find measures and translate findings into reasonable plans to avoid negative impact of the military and further improve the Government of Guam health services.
“With the US military plans to redeploy thousands of Marines and their families we need to be prepared and make sure that our current health care resources will not diminish and our health care services will not suffer due to the increase of the Guam population,” Senator Aguon said.
“We are all aware that we are currently facing so many challenges in improving health care services. The current situations on our present health care system and the question whether we are ready to embrace additional consumers are in urgent need to be addressed and answered. I am hoping that through this meeting we can identify measurable solutions and plans to this bigger challenge,” the Senator added.
Written by : News Release
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Guam - Senator Frank Aguon, Jr. will meet directors and key staff of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
(DMHSA), Department of Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) and Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) to discuss the impact of the military buildup on health care and services on Guam.
A roundtable discussion will be held on February 4, 2010 at 9 AM in the Public Hearing Room of Guam Legislature with the attendance of DMHSA Acting Director Elisabeth Cruz, DISID Director Rosanna Ada , DPHSS Director J. Peter Roberto and GMHA Administrator Peter John Camacho.
Senator Aguon, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development Health and Human Services, and Judiciary along with members of the Committee want to discuss health issues and concerns of each health agency to be able to find measures and translate findings into reasonable plans to avoid negative impact of the military and further improve the Government of Guam health services.
“With the US military plans to redeploy thousands of Marines and their families we need to be prepared and make sure that our current health care resources will not diminish and our health care services will not suffer due to the increase of the Guam population,” Senator Aguon said.
“We are all aware that we are currently facing so many challenges in improving health care services. The current situations on our present health care system and the question whether we are ready to embrace additional consumers are in urgent need to be addressed and answered. I am hoping that through this meeting we can identify measurable solutions and plans to this bigger challenge,” the Senator added.
Written by : News Release
Southern residents testify about DEIS
Southern residents testify about DEIS
Posted: Jan 31, 2010 4:24 PM
Updated: Jan 31, 2010 4:24 PM
by Michele Catahay
Guam - Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo hosted a couple of town hall meetings this afternoon to receive public testimony on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Southern residents testified at the Agat Community Center about issues ranging from traffic congestion, the lack of schools and hospitals needed for the buildup, as well as the socioeconomic issues that could potentially impact the island.
Santa Rita resident Tom Barcinas says while the United States needs the island and Guam needs the U.S., there are still issues. He says Chamorros currently make up 46% of the population, and that number is expected to decrease to 31%. In addition, lands could also be acquired by the military.
"The federal government owns about one-third of the island with requirements for more space for construction of a firing range, and trail up Mount Lam Lam for other purposes," said Barcinas. "It's sad to think that the people of Guam will be a minority in their own land."
Posted: Jan 31, 2010 4:24 PM
Updated: Jan 31, 2010 4:24 PM
by Michele Catahay
Guam - Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo hosted a couple of town hall meetings this afternoon to receive public testimony on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Southern residents testified at the Agat Community Center about issues ranging from traffic congestion, the lack of schools and hospitals needed for the buildup, as well as the socioeconomic issues that could potentially impact the island.
Santa Rita resident Tom Barcinas says while the United States needs the island and Guam needs the U.S., there are still issues. He says Chamorros currently make up 46% of the population, and that number is expected to decrease to 31%. In addition, lands could also be acquired by the military.
"The federal government owns about one-third of the island with requirements for more space for construction of a firing range, and trail up Mount Lam Lam for other purposes," said Barcinas. "It's sad to think that the people of Guam will be a minority in their own land."
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Firing range key to buildup: Raceway may not need to move
Firing range key to buildup: Raceway may not need to move
By Brett Kelman • Pacific Daily News • January 23, 2010
A plan to build a small-arms firing range on Guam's northeast coast has been one of the most commonly protested components of the coming military buildup, but it is also one of the most essential.
There is no buildup without a firing range, retired Marine Corps Col. John Jackson, director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said yesterday.
None of the existing ranges on Guam could be expanded to handle 8,500 Marines and the military's original plan to put a firing range on military property by Double Reef was shot down by the public, he said.
But Marines who transfer to Guam in the next few years will need a place to maintain their skill and certification with weapons, Jackson said. The Pagat area is the only suitable place left, according to the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Regardless, some of the loudest voices against the buildup during the last two months have been opposed to the military's plans for this land.
Some of these conflicts -- including the relocation of the Guam International Raceway -- may be resolved, Jackson said. Others, such as concerns about access to Pagat Cave, are misunderstandings, he said.
Raceway
When racers arrived at the raceway last night, buildup protesters were waiting for them.
GovGuam has invested about $7.3 million in the Guam International Raceway since it was built on Chamorro Land Trust land in 2001, but the draft EIS states that the raceway must be relocated.
Joe Naputi Jr., who has been volunteering his time as track manager for about four years, said many volunteers have worked hard to detour illegal drag racing onto the legal track.
"We spent a lot of money already to build this racetrack and we don't know if we have enough money to go and build another one elsewhere," he said.
Even if the military offers to pay for a replacement track of equal value somewhere else, it won't be the same place volunteers have poured their lives into, Naputi said.
Although the military's original plan for the firing range does require the raceway to move, this might change, Jackson said.
He said the Department of Defense is looking for a way to reorganize the gunfire trajectories and safety zones in the firing range so the raceway can stay put without Marines endangering each other.
It is possible the range and the raceway will become neighbors, he said.
Last night, Naputi said this possibility was a step in the right direction, but he wonders if racers would be safe next door to a firing range.
He also said the Department of Defense's indecisiveness didn't inspire a lot of confidence, and asked if it was that easy to change the plan, what is to stop them from changing it back?
"Which one is it?" Naputi said. "They are changing things left and right and we want to know the real truth. It's kind of senseless to tell us you are going to move us out of the way and then later on (say) we are neighbors. That's two different stories."
Opportunity
If the firing range is an essential part of the buildup, then protesters must realize they are objecting to a lot of new jobs, tax dollars and opportunity. Guam can't have one without the other, Carl Peterson said yesterday.
Peterson is a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce board of directors who has high hopes for the buildup. He said many of the "emotional" protests to the firing range aren't worth jeopardizing the economic boom of the buildup.
Guam needs this, he said.
"We are in debt up to our ears and this income is going to help us (pay off) that debt," he said.
Peterson said the simplest benefit from the buildup will be additional tax dollars, which will help improve the troubled state of Guam's schools, health care and roads.
If the buildup brings $15 billion in spending to the island, GovGuam will make $600,000 from the gross receipts tax alone, he said.
After that, the federal government will dump tax dollars from the mainland into Guam's civilian roadways and infrastructure. And if GovGuam and the military share the island's new landfill, trash service will cost less for everyone.
These are just some of the benefits the buildup could bring, he said.
If there were no buildup, Guam would have to rely on a fading tourism industry and the future will be dark, he said. Japan's aging population is traveling less and competition from cheaper destinations -- such as Singapore and Bangkok -- is strong.
"In the long term, without additional investment of capital from the buildup, it can only mean our standard of living goes down," Peterson said.
Conflicts
If the Guam International Raceway doesn't have to move, some of the civilians who object to the firing range will be satisfied.
But there are still more conflicts out there.
•Cultural activists, such as Joe Quinata of the Guam Preservation Trust, have taken steps to draw national attention to the plight of the Pagat area, where the remains of an ancient Chamorro village are buried;
•Landowners such as Gloria Nelson have said they want to keep their land and the military should not be confident it can be bought; and
•Hikers such as Dave Lotz have said the public deserves access to natural beauties such as Pagat Cave.
Yesterday, Jackson said anyone who wants access to Pagat Cave will be able to during the 13 weeks a year when the firing range is not in use, and that it might be open to the public some weekends too.
This is "not very well articulated" in the draft EIS, he said.
The document suggests Pagat Cave will be off limits all the time, but this was never the plan, Jackson said.
Limited access may actually help protect the cave and the cultural remains, he said.
"There won't be any of the destructive activity going on down there that takes place today. I don't know if you've been down there, but there is a lot of trash down there," Jackson said. "... We would have people that would go down there to make sure it is kept clean."
By Brett Kelman • Pacific Daily News • January 23, 2010
A plan to build a small-arms firing range on Guam's northeast coast has been one of the most commonly protested components of the coming military buildup, but it is also one of the most essential.
There is no buildup without a firing range, retired Marine Corps Col. John Jackson, director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said yesterday.
None of the existing ranges on Guam could be expanded to handle 8,500 Marines and the military's original plan to put a firing range on military property by Double Reef was shot down by the public, he said.
But Marines who transfer to Guam in the next few years will need a place to maintain their skill and certification with weapons, Jackson said. The Pagat area is the only suitable place left, according to the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Regardless, some of the loudest voices against the buildup during the last two months have been opposed to the military's plans for this land.
Some of these conflicts -- including the relocation of the Guam International Raceway -- may be resolved, Jackson said. Others, such as concerns about access to Pagat Cave, are misunderstandings, he said.
Raceway
When racers arrived at the raceway last night, buildup protesters were waiting for them.
GovGuam has invested about $7.3 million in the Guam International Raceway since it was built on Chamorro Land Trust land in 2001, but the draft EIS states that the raceway must be relocated.
Joe Naputi Jr., who has been volunteering his time as track manager for about four years, said many volunteers have worked hard to detour illegal drag racing onto the legal track.
"We spent a lot of money already to build this racetrack and we don't know if we have enough money to go and build another one elsewhere," he said.
Even if the military offers to pay for a replacement track of equal value somewhere else, it won't be the same place volunteers have poured their lives into, Naputi said.
Although the military's original plan for the firing range does require the raceway to move, this might change, Jackson said.
He said the Department of Defense is looking for a way to reorganize the gunfire trajectories and safety zones in the firing range so the raceway can stay put without Marines endangering each other.
It is possible the range and the raceway will become neighbors, he said.
Last night, Naputi said this possibility was a step in the right direction, but he wonders if racers would be safe next door to a firing range.
He also said the Department of Defense's indecisiveness didn't inspire a lot of confidence, and asked if it was that easy to change the plan, what is to stop them from changing it back?
"Which one is it?" Naputi said. "They are changing things left and right and we want to know the real truth. It's kind of senseless to tell us you are going to move us out of the way and then later on (say) we are neighbors. That's two different stories."
Opportunity
If the firing range is an essential part of the buildup, then protesters must realize they are objecting to a lot of new jobs, tax dollars and opportunity. Guam can't have one without the other, Carl Peterson said yesterday.
Peterson is a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce board of directors who has high hopes for the buildup. He said many of the "emotional" protests to the firing range aren't worth jeopardizing the economic boom of the buildup.
Guam needs this, he said.
"We are in debt up to our ears and this income is going to help us (pay off) that debt," he said.
Peterson said the simplest benefit from the buildup will be additional tax dollars, which will help improve the troubled state of Guam's schools, health care and roads.
If the buildup brings $15 billion in spending to the island, GovGuam will make $600,000 from the gross receipts tax alone, he said.
After that, the federal government will dump tax dollars from the mainland into Guam's civilian roadways and infrastructure. And if GovGuam and the military share the island's new landfill, trash service will cost less for everyone.
These are just some of the benefits the buildup could bring, he said.
If there were no buildup, Guam would have to rely on a fading tourism industry and the future will be dark, he said. Japan's aging population is traveling less and competition from cheaper destinations -- such as Singapore and Bangkok -- is strong.
"In the long term, without additional investment of capital from the buildup, it can only mean our standard of living goes down," Peterson said.
Conflicts
If the Guam International Raceway doesn't have to move, some of the civilians who object to the firing range will be satisfied.
But there are still more conflicts out there.
•Cultural activists, such as Joe Quinata of the Guam Preservation Trust, have taken steps to draw national attention to the plight of the Pagat area, where the remains of an ancient Chamorro village are buried;
•Landowners such as Gloria Nelson have said they want to keep their land and the military should not be confident it can be bought; and
•Hikers such as Dave Lotz have said the public deserves access to natural beauties such as Pagat Cave.
Yesterday, Jackson said anyone who wants access to Pagat Cave will be able to during the 13 weeks a year when the firing range is not in use, and that it might be open to the public some weekends too.
This is "not very well articulated" in the draft EIS, he said.
The document suggests Pagat Cave will be off limits all the time, but this was never the plan, Jackson said.
Limited access may actually help protect the cave and the cultural remains, he said.
"There won't be any of the destructive activity going on down there that takes place today. I don't know if you've been down there, but there is a lot of trash down there," Jackson said. "... We would have people that would go down there to make sure it is kept clean."
US military build-up on Guam worries islanders
US military build-up on Guam worries islanders
Fri, Jan 22, 2010
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
HAGATNA, Jan 22, 2010 (AFP) - Residents of the US territory of Guam fear the planned influx of thousands of American troops and their families will leave their Pacific island home swamped.
Around 19,000 personnel and their families are set to relocate to Guam from southern Japan in a move that will treble the US military presence on the island.
But despite proclaimed economic benefits, not all of the 178,000-strong population is looking forward to the troops' arrival.
"This proposed military build-up, with our current political status, will result in the cultural and racial genocide of the Chamorro people," said Frank J. Schacher, chairman of the Chamorro Tribe Inc., a group representing the island's indigenous people, who make up a third of the population.
"It is our island, our ancestral remains, our sacred artifacts, our waters, our culture, and our right to exist as a race that would be destroyed by these intended actions."
It is a long time since the Chamorro have been masters of their own destiny: Spain controlled the island for more than two hundred years until the late 19th century, when it was taken over by the United States, and it was occupied by Japan during World War II.
In 2006, Washington and Tokyo agreed to shift thousands of marines from Okinawa after complaints that, with half of the country's 47,000 US military personnel, the island was over burdened.
Guam's US Congress delegate, Madeleine Bordallo, hailed the plan as a great opportunity for the territory. The local government and the business community have also welcomed an expected economic boom fuelled by the build-up.
"We acknowledge the unprecedented growth that lies ahead," Guam Governor Felix P. Camacho said recently.
"Our future, however, will test our resolve and we will be called upon to display our commitment to doing what is good and right for our people."
An 11,000-page US Defense Department draft environmental impact statement said the military expansion would strain the island's limited infrastructure, healthcare, and ecology.
The study says the relocation, costing up to 15 billion dollars, would bring 8,600 marines, 630 army personnel, and about 10,000 dependents to Guam.
More than 33,000 foreign workers would also be needed to build wharves, aircraft carrier berths, roads, military barracks, and homes.
The Guam Chamber of Commerce, an early supporter of the relocation, said it was not oblivious to growing scepticism within the community.
"We're the voice of the businesses, but our members all live in Guam too. So we're looking out for the best interests of our businesses and the community at large and so we're looking at everything," Chamber president David Leddy said.
"There are positive and negative impacts. We just have to weigh the positive and negative and see what's good for the people."
About a third of Guam's 549 square kilometres (212 square miles) is already owned by the US government, mainly for military use, and it wants to buy another 2,200 acres (890 hectares) as part of the troop transfer.
"Lands that our ancestors fought for are passed down from one generation to the next until they are indiscriminately taken away for purposes other than sustaining and nourishing the family clan," said Gloria B. Nelson, whose property is being eyed by the Department of Defense.
Melvin Won Pat, one of the founders of a new activist group opposed to the build-up, said it was false to suggest the move was supported by the wider community.
"I think a lot of our people have been misled into believing the general population is in full support of this move," he said.
The Department of Defense's Joint Guam Project Office, which is in charge of the relocation, has held a series of public meetings to discuss the draft report, but some locals remain sceptical.
"I refuse to dignify this whole charade," resident Filamore Alcon Palomo said.
"Attending public hearings would just be a waste of time because I know - everybody knows - this is a done deal. The military won't listen to us. They will do what they want to do."
Fri, Jan 22, 2010
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
HAGATNA, Jan 22, 2010 (AFP) - Residents of the US territory of Guam fear the planned influx of thousands of American troops and their families will leave their Pacific island home swamped.
Around 19,000 personnel and their families are set to relocate to Guam from southern Japan in a move that will treble the US military presence on the island.
But despite proclaimed economic benefits, not all of the 178,000-strong population is looking forward to the troops' arrival.
"This proposed military build-up, with our current political status, will result in the cultural and racial genocide of the Chamorro people," said Frank J. Schacher, chairman of the Chamorro Tribe Inc., a group representing the island's indigenous people, who make up a third of the population.
"It is our island, our ancestral remains, our sacred artifacts, our waters, our culture, and our right to exist as a race that would be destroyed by these intended actions."
It is a long time since the Chamorro have been masters of their own destiny: Spain controlled the island for more than two hundred years until the late 19th century, when it was taken over by the United States, and it was occupied by Japan during World War II.
In 2006, Washington and Tokyo agreed to shift thousands of marines from Okinawa after complaints that, with half of the country's 47,000 US military personnel, the island was over burdened.
Guam's US Congress delegate, Madeleine Bordallo, hailed the plan as a great opportunity for the territory. The local government and the business community have also welcomed an expected economic boom fuelled by the build-up.
"We acknowledge the unprecedented growth that lies ahead," Guam Governor Felix P. Camacho said recently.
"Our future, however, will test our resolve and we will be called upon to display our commitment to doing what is good and right for our people."
An 11,000-page US Defense Department draft environmental impact statement said the military expansion would strain the island's limited infrastructure, healthcare, and ecology.
The study says the relocation, costing up to 15 billion dollars, would bring 8,600 marines, 630 army personnel, and about 10,000 dependents to Guam.
More than 33,000 foreign workers would also be needed to build wharves, aircraft carrier berths, roads, military barracks, and homes.
The Guam Chamber of Commerce, an early supporter of the relocation, said it was not oblivious to growing scepticism within the community.
"We're the voice of the businesses, but our members all live in Guam too. So we're looking out for the best interests of our businesses and the community at large and so we're looking at everything," Chamber president David Leddy said.
"There are positive and negative impacts. We just have to weigh the positive and negative and see what's good for the people."
About a third of Guam's 549 square kilometres (212 square miles) is already owned by the US government, mainly for military use, and it wants to buy another 2,200 acres (890 hectares) as part of the troop transfer.
"Lands that our ancestors fought for are passed down from one generation to the next until they are indiscriminately taken away for purposes other than sustaining and nourishing the family clan," said Gloria B. Nelson, whose property is being eyed by the Department of Defense.
Melvin Won Pat, one of the founders of a new activist group opposed to the build-up, said it was false to suggest the move was supported by the wider community.
"I think a lot of our people have been misled into believing the general population is in full support of this move," he said.
The Department of Defense's Joint Guam Project Office, which is in charge of the relocation, has held a series of public meetings to discuss the draft report, but some locals remain sceptical.
"I refuse to dignify this whole charade," resident Filamore Alcon Palomo said.
"Attending public hearings would just be a waste of time because I know - everybody knows - this is a done deal. The military won't listen to us. They will do what they want to do."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Both sides of buildup debate release lists: Chamber, Coalition post 14 separate reasons on their Web sites
Both sides of buildup debate release lists: Chamber, Coalition post 14 separate reasons on their Web sites
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • January 19, 2010
Increased crime rates, stresses on the public school system, and more sex and drug trafficking are reasons the Guåhan Coalition for Peace and Justice says the military buildup's economic opportunities will be overshadowed by its negative impacts.
Responding to the Chamber of Commerce's "14 Reasons Why We Need the Military Buildup," the Guåhan Coalition of Peace and Justice released "14 reasons Why We Don't Need the Military Buildup."
According to the list posted on the Chamber's Web site, the relocation of 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam will provide revenues "our government desperately needs ... in order to provide services our people depend on." The list includes a revenue surge, infrastructural improvements and investments in health-care facilities and equipment as benefits resulting from the buildup.
Yet the coalition argues there is no mention of the 26,000 jobs that will no longer be needed by 2017, according to Audrey Ward, a member of the coalition.
Among the things listed by the coalition of what the draft EIS doesn't provide are solutions for job competition between Guam residents and 9,000 military dependents scheduled to arrive.
"There are no training options outlined in the EIS to help unemployed Guamanians better qualify for buildup jobs," the coalition list states. "The military will not be helping locals get any of the positions they are offering."
Neither has the local government, for the most part. The bulk of job training being offered in connection with the military buildup has been provided by the Guam Contractors Association's Trades Academy, with some construction-related programs at Guam Community College.
The coalition also says tourism will be hindered by an increase in crime.
Plus, some tourism expansion opportunities also may curbed, too, according to Gary Hiles, chief economist with the Guam Department of Labor.
"Increased military activities will open up new economic opportunities, but at the same time, will limit or preclude operation or expansion of other productive economic activities which could employ a large number of people in more labor intensive activities, such as tourism, due to increased land use and access restrictions and create costs of opportunities lost for other activities," Hiles said.
However, Gerry Perez, the general manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau, has said that the island has been starved for cash in recent years to make necessary upgrades to the island's infrastructure and tourism attractions; the buildup would not only widen Guam's tourism market, but help fund some of those improvements, he said.
"The military buildup will stimulate new markets, attract higher-spending business travelers and generate more income to pay for improvements in public service," Perez said.
Hiles also said while the buildup will bring more jobs to the island and more revenue to the government of Guam, it will also create substantial additional capital investment for infrastructure and increased operating costs in public safety, health care and education.
But if some residents have been strongly opposed to the buildup's negative effects on the local culture and environment, local businessman James Adkins said they haven't suggested any other viable alternatives that will solve Guam's economic problems.
"We have to have something to bring cash money back onto the island," Adkins said in late December. "We are spending more money than we are bringing in."
According to Ernie Galito, deputy general manager at the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam's proximity to Asia and its status as an American territory opens up possibilities to develop other industries.
"Guam could develop finance, insurance, arbitration or ship registry industries," Galito said. "Of course, much of the market study work has yet to be done, but these examples would seem to be the most viable opportunities outside of tourism."
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • January 19, 2010
Increased crime rates, stresses on the public school system, and more sex and drug trafficking are reasons the Guåhan Coalition for Peace and Justice says the military buildup's economic opportunities will be overshadowed by its negative impacts.
Responding to the Chamber of Commerce's "14 Reasons Why We Need the Military Buildup," the Guåhan Coalition of Peace and Justice released "14 reasons Why We Don't Need the Military Buildup."
According to the list posted on the Chamber's Web site, the relocation of 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam will provide revenues "our government desperately needs ... in order to provide services our people depend on." The list includes a revenue surge, infrastructural improvements and investments in health-care facilities and equipment as benefits resulting from the buildup.
Yet the coalition argues there is no mention of the 26,000 jobs that will no longer be needed by 2017, according to Audrey Ward, a member of the coalition.
Among the things listed by the coalition of what the draft EIS doesn't provide are solutions for job competition between Guam residents and 9,000 military dependents scheduled to arrive.
"There are no training options outlined in the EIS to help unemployed Guamanians better qualify for buildup jobs," the coalition list states. "The military will not be helping locals get any of the positions they are offering."
Neither has the local government, for the most part. The bulk of job training being offered in connection with the military buildup has been provided by the Guam Contractors Association's Trades Academy, with some construction-related programs at Guam Community College.
The coalition also says tourism will be hindered by an increase in crime.
Plus, some tourism expansion opportunities also may curbed, too, according to Gary Hiles, chief economist with the Guam Department of Labor.
"Increased military activities will open up new economic opportunities, but at the same time, will limit or preclude operation or expansion of other productive economic activities which could employ a large number of people in more labor intensive activities, such as tourism, due to increased land use and access restrictions and create costs of opportunities lost for other activities," Hiles said.
However, Gerry Perez, the general manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau, has said that the island has been starved for cash in recent years to make necessary upgrades to the island's infrastructure and tourism attractions; the buildup would not only widen Guam's tourism market, but help fund some of those improvements, he said.
"The military buildup will stimulate new markets, attract higher-spending business travelers and generate more income to pay for improvements in public service," Perez said.
Hiles also said while the buildup will bring more jobs to the island and more revenue to the government of Guam, it will also create substantial additional capital investment for infrastructure and increased operating costs in public safety, health care and education.
But if some residents have been strongly opposed to the buildup's negative effects on the local culture and environment, local businessman James Adkins said they haven't suggested any other viable alternatives that will solve Guam's economic problems.
"We have to have something to bring cash money back onto the island," Adkins said in late December. "We are spending more money than we are bringing in."
According to Ernie Galito, deputy general manager at the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam's proximity to Asia and its status as an American territory opens up possibilities to develop other industries.
"Guam could develop finance, insurance, arbitration or ship registry industries," Galito said. "Of course, much of the market study work has yet to be done, but these examples would seem to be the most viable opportunities outside of tourism."
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Residents air buidup concerns: Health care, land issues raised at UOG field house
Residents air buidup concerns: Health care, land issues raised at UOG field house
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Sunday News • January 10, 2010
The University of Guam's field house teemed with varying emotions yesterday when more than 500 people gathered to publicly comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Die-hard activists, determined landowners, concerned citizens and officials paced the floor of the field house, reading all the information on display. They talked with military officials about the buildup, in order to learn all they could before the public comment session.
Signs that read: "Only independent nations control immigration" and "Yankee go home!" showed military officials where they stood with some residents.
Then, the conch shells were blown, the Guam national anthem was sung and the proceedings for the second public hearing on the draft Environmental Impact Statement got underway.
The first speaker on the day was Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, who expressed public health concerns as Guam prepares to get about 20 years of growth over the next five years because of the military buildup.
Approximately 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be brought to the island. In total, the buildup is projected to bring about 80,000 people to Guam by 2014, which will increase Guam's population by almost half its current size.
"My main concern is that the hospital is the choke point," Cruz said. "We just don't have enough beds to take care of the people coming."
The vice speaker told Department of Defense officials that he would like for the final Environmental Impact Statement to be "very specific" about how it is going to address the need for more hospital beds on island.
"The hospital is unable to take care of us at this time. We are short of doctors," he said.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement notes that the island's health-care system will need a personnel increase of 26 percent in order to deal with the growth. It also states that at the peak of the construction phase in 2014, an additional 15 doctors and 91 nurses will be needed.
Land concerns
Some residents expressed worry they might lose their land.
Juan Martinez Unpingco, an 85-year-old Sasayan Valley landowner, said he worked two jobs throughout his lifetime in order to feed his eight children and save enough money to buy property. That piece of property, he said, sustaines his livelihood.
"This has obviously paid off since it has been helping me to pay all my medical bills," Unpingco said. "Thus, the property I own in Marbo Cave has indeed sustained my livelihood and I plan to deed it to my children upon my death. I anticipate that my children would do likewise and deed the property onto the next generation."
He said he fears the military will take his land through condemnation and asked them not to.
"I am in support of the military buildup, provided there is no land condemnation," he said. "It was my bread and butter. I worked very hard for it. I will sell it or rent it."
Joint Guam Program Office Executive Director David Bice, a retired Marine major general whose office oversees the buildup, has said that residents whose lands are used for military projects will get a fair price. The Defense Department follows strict procedures to pay landowners the fair market value, he said, also noting that congressional defense committees would first have to approve any major land acquisitions by the military.
Juan Unpingco's son, Superior Court of Guam Judge Steven S. Unpingco, also a private landowner, said the draft Environmental Impact Statement fails to address "the contentious issue" of land condemnation. Moreover, the Sasayan Valley area is a proposed alternative for a live firing range -- an idea he said should be dismissed.
"Equally important to the public is the impact that explosive grenade and demolition ranges may have on the environment," he said. "Is there any specific study on any potential environmental degradation or possible lead contamination from these activities on soil?"
Speaking out
Melvin Won Pat-Borja, a 28-year-old teacher and member of the We Are Guahan group, said his generation should know that it is important to let their voices be heard. They don't need to be "a scientist or an expert to comment on the EIS," he said.
The group is a combination of residents who seek to disseminate the information from the lengthy draft Environmental Impact Statement to ordinary citizens in a way that is easily understood.
"This problem will not affect the people who are making the decisions. It will ultimately be our youth," he said. "I have students who will be graduating this year and will possibly be graduating college in four years. And when they want to come back home and raise their families here and make a living here, things will not be the same as they were when they left. This island will not be the same as it was when they left."
Residents have until Feb. 17 to submit their comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement, which will reshape nearly all aspects of life on Guam.
The public meetings are a way the military officials garner the concerns of the citizens, which will be evaluated and taken into consideration to make better decisions as the military moves forward with the final EIS, Bice said.
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Sunday News • January 10, 2010
The University of Guam's field house teemed with varying emotions yesterday when more than 500 people gathered to publicly comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Die-hard activists, determined landowners, concerned citizens and officials paced the floor of the field house, reading all the information on display. They talked with military officials about the buildup, in order to learn all they could before the public comment session.
Signs that read: "Only independent nations control immigration" and "Yankee go home!" showed military officials where they stood with some residents.
Then, the conch shells were blown, the Guam national anthem was sung and the proceedings for the second public hearing on the draft Environmental Impact Statement got underway.
The first speaker on the day was Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, who expressed public health concerns as Guam prepares to get about 20 years of growth over the next five years because of the military buildup.
Approximately 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be brought to the island. In total, the buildup is projected to bring about 80,000 people to Guam by 2014, which will increase Guam's population by almost half its current size.
"My main concern is that the hospital is the choke point," Cruz said. "We just don't have enough beds to take care of the people coming."
The vice speaker told Department of Defense officials that he would like for the final Environmental Impact Statement to be "very specific" about how it is going to address the need for more hospital beds on island.
"The hospital is unable to take care of us at this time. We are short of doctors," he said.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement notes that the island's health-care system will need a personnel increase of 26 percent in order to deal with the growth. It also states that at the peak of the construction phase in 2014, an additional 15 doctors and 91 nurses will be needed.
Land concerns
Some residents expressed worry they might lose their land.
Juan Martinez Unpingco, an 85-year-old Sasayan Valley landowner, said he worked two jobs throughout his lifetime in order to feed his eight children and save enough money to buy property. That piece of property, he said, sustaines his livelihood.
"This has obviously paid off since it has been helping me to pay all my medical bills," Unpingco said. "Thus, the property I own in Marbo Cave has indeed sustained my livelihood and I plan to deed it to my children upon my death. I anticipate that my children would do likewise and deed the property onto the next generation."
He said he fears the military will take his land through condemnation and asked them not to.
"I am in support of the military buildup, provided there is no land condemnation," he said. "It was my bread and butter. I worked very hard for it. I will sell it or rent it."
Joint Guam Program Office Executive Director David Bice, a retired Marine major general whose office oversees the buildup, has said that residents whose lands are used for military projects will get a fair price. The Defense Department follows strict procedures to pay landowners the fair market value, he said, also noting that congressional defense committees would first have to approve any major land acquisitions by the military.
Juan Unpingco's son, Superior Court of Guam Judge Steven S. Unpingco, also a private landowner, said the draft Environmental Impact Statement fails to address "the contentious issue" of land condemnation. Moreover, the Sasayan Valley area is a proposed alternative for a live firing range -- an idea he said should be dismissed.
"Equally important to the public is the impact that explosive grenade and demolition ranges may have on the environment," he said. "Is there any specific study on any potential environmental degradation or possible lead contamination from these activities on soil?"
Speaking out
Melvin Won Pat-Borja, a 28-year-old teacher and member of the We Are Guahan group, said his generation should know that it is important to let their voices be heard. They don't need to be "a scientist or an expert to comment on the EIS," he said.
The group is a combination of residents who seek to disseminate the information from the lengthy draft Environmental Impact Statement to ordinary citizens in a way that is easily understood.
"This problem will not affect the people who are making the decisions. It will ultimately be our youth," he said. "I have students who will be graduating this year and will possibly be graduating college in four years. And when they want to come back home and raise their families here and make a living here, things will not be the same as they were when they left. This island will not be the same as it was when they left."
Residents have until Feb. 17 to submit their comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement, which will reshape nearly all aspects of life on Guam.
The public meetings are a way the military officials garner the concerns of the citizens, which will be evaluated and taken into consideration to make better decisions as the military moves forward with the final EIS, Bice said.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Group tries to reveal buildup's hidden truths
Group tries to reveal buildup's hidden truths
Posted: Jan 03, 2010 10:47 PM PST
by Nick Delgado
Guam - The island will see an increase in hundreds of jobs during the construction phase of the Marines' relocation from Okinawa to Guam. But many residents are unaware of the negative hindering truths that would accompany the economic boom.
The rise and fall of employment opportunities has become the latest concern when it comes to the military buildup and the draft environmental impact statement. "In the document itself it addresses that issue, an economic boom in the beginning and then there will be a drop-off when all these people leave. It actually addresses the issue as pushing the lower-class of society to an even lower class and into a deeper state of poverty," proclaimed Melvin Won Pat Borja.
Borja is an educator and one of the organizers for a group called We Are Guahan, and said, "We basically assembled a team or people to help read the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, translate the findings and disseminate them to the public...it's really difficult for members of the community to comment on it if we don't understand what is in the document itself. Our major goal is to get that information out to the people when they do decide to comment."
The DEIS states a needed increase of 307 law enforcement personnel for Guam Police, Guam Fire, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Affairs combined by 2014. A number, which is predicted to be cut by half once the buildup, is complete. It's an even bigger issue for the island's public health services as the DEIS calls for an additional 245 medical personnel, also dropping once the relocation settles.
Said Borja, "They propose about nine new doctors when it comes to the increase of healthcare facilities and personnel. Nine doctors for 80,000 people."
The DEIS also states that during the construction phase of the relocation, the proposed number of education staff would be just above six hundred workers, then greatly reducing to just a hundred and forty-eight staff members when the buildup is finished. "In the DEIS it does talk about the impact on our school system it's something that I'm definitely concerned about there's about a 20% increase in public school population," he said.
While Borja says the DEIS admits to an increase in cost of living before an actual increase in living wages, he says that he along with the We Are Guahan team, he will continue to work to ensure that local residents are able to make the decisions that affect Guam's future. "We want to be able to be in the conversation. We want to be able to represent ourselves, our people, as part of the decision making process. We should have a voice," he said.
Posted: Jan 03, 2010 10:47 PM PST
by Nick Delgado
Guam - The island will see an increase in hundreds of jobs during the construction phase of the Marines' relocation from Okinawa to Guam. But many residents are unaware of the negative hindering truths that would accompany the economic boom.
The rise and fall of employment opportunities has become the latest concern when it comes to the military buildup and the draft environmental impact statement. "In the document itself it addresses that issue, an economic boom in the beginning and then there will be a drop-off when all these people leave. It actually addresses the issue as pushing the lower-class of society to an even lower class and into a deeper state of poverty," proclaimed Melvin Won Pat Borja.
Borja is an educator and one of the organizers for a group called We Are Guahan, and said, "We basically assembled a team or people to help read the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, translate the findings and disseminate them to the public...it's really difficult for members of the community to comment on it if we don't understand what is in the document itself. Our major goal is to get that information out to the people when they do decide to comment."
The DEIS states a needed increase of 307 law enforcement personnel for Guam Police, Guam Fire, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Affairs combined by 2014. A number, which is predicted to be cut by half once the buildup, is complete. It's an even bigger issue for the island's public health services as the DEIS calls for an additional 245 medical personnel, also dropping once the relocation settles.
Said Borja, "They propose about nine new doctors when it comes to the increase of healthcare facilities and personnel. Nine doctors for 80,000 people."
The DEIS also states that during the construction phase of the relocation, the proposed number of education staff would be just above six hundred workers, then greatly reducing to just a hundred and forty-eight staff members when the buildup is finished. "In the DEIS it does talk about the impact on our school system it's something that I'm definitely concerned about there's about a 20% increase in public school population," he said.
While Borja says the DEIS admits to an increase in cost of living before an actual increase in living wages, he says that he along with the We Are Guahan team, he will continue to work to ensure that local residents are able to make the decisions that affect Guam's future. "We want to be able to be in the conversation. We want to be able to represent ourselves, our people, as part of the decision making process. We should have a voice," he said.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
DEIS healthcare needs projection disputed
DEIS healthcare needs projection disputed
Thursday, 10 December 2009 23:39 by Mar-Vic Cagurangan | Variety News Staff
THE population surge on Guam resulting from the troop buildup will require more medical professionals than the numbers projected by the military in its draft environmental impact statement, according to Peter Sgro, president of the Guam Healthcare Development Foundation.
According to the draft impact study, Guam will need only 15 more doctors and 91 additional nurses to serve the increased population in 2014, the peak year for construction boom.
“That seems much lower than what the healthcare demand of our community would need assuming an increase in population of over 60,000 people,” Sgro said. “As far as the private hospital development is concerned, we are running recruitment and retention numbers based on industry efficiency ratios of 2.5 to 3 employees per hospital bed.”
Sgro said the total number of additional needed employees, including doctors, nurses, technicians, management and administration, would run between 500 and 600, based on a 200-bed capacity hospital and depending on the combination of general and specialty services that will be provided.
Guam Memorial Hospital is the only public hospital that serves the civilian population. The Naval Hospital caters to the military community.
Sgro’s foundation is seeking to build a private hospital that will provide medical specialty care, supplementing the services offered by GMH.
“Manila based developers are responsible for securing the financing for the hospital, securing the investors in the project and purchasing the property where the development will take place,” Sgro said.
Developers Cezar Quimbao, Chairman of the Board of Guam Healthcare Development, Inc. and Jorge Yulo, President of Guam Healthcare Development, Inc., join Sgro in Pittsburgh for a series of meetings to address recruitment matters for the new hospital, design of the new hospital.
“We have recognized for the past two years that one of the biggest challenges in developing a hospital is the ability to staff it with doctors, nurses, technicians and other necessary employees,” Sgro said. “This is why we have continued our recruiting efforts since in the development of any hospital, the recruiting process often begins well in advance of completion of the design phase.”
The foundation continues to build relationships with reputable healthcare systems in an effort to recruit doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical professionals to Guam.
“This process has been ongoing now for the past years with visits to not just the states, but also with healthcare systems in Japan and the Philippines that maintain pools of doctors that are U.S.-board certified,” Sgro said.
“Although the establishment of these relationships in an effort to secure doctors, nurses and other medical professionals is important even without considering the military buildup, the realities of a growing population makes our efforts that much more important,” he added.
Pending in the legislature are two bills that seek to address the shortage of medical professionals on Guam by offering debt-payment incentives to physicians who are practicing off-shore. Under the proposed program, the government would cover the payments of target physicians’ medical student loans. The program would tap the Healthy Futures Fund.
Thursday, 10 December 2009 23:39 by Mar-Vic Cagurangan | Variety News Staff
THE population surge on Guam resulting from the troop buildup will require more medical professionals than the numbers projected by the military in its draft environmental impact statement, according to Peter Sgro, president of the Guam Healthcare Development Foundation.
According to the draft impact study, Guam will need only 15 more doctors and 91 additional nurses to serve the increased population in 2014, the peak year for construction boom.
“That seems much lower than what the healthcare demand of our community would need assuming an increase in population of over 60,000 people,” Sgro said. “As far as the private hospital development is concerned, we are running recruitment and retention numbers based on industry efficiency ratios of 2.5 to 3 employees per hospital bed.”
Sgro said the total number of additional needed employees, including doctors, nurses, technicians, management and administration, would run between 500 and 600, based on a 200-bed capacity hospital and depending on the combination of general and specialty services that will be provided.
Guam Memorial Hospital is the only public hospital that serves the civilian population. The Naval Hospital caters to the military community.
Sgro’s foundation is seeking to build a private hospital that will provide medical specialty care, supplementing the services offered by GMH.
“Manila based developers are responsible for securing the financing for the hospital, securing the investors in the project and purchasing the property where the development will take place,” Sgro said.
Developers Cezar Quimbao, Chairman of the Board of Guam Healthcare Development, Inc. and Jorge Yulo, President of Guam Healthcare Development, Inc., join Sgro in Pittsburgh for a series of meetings to address recruitment matters for the new hospital, design of the new hospital.
“We have recognized for the past two years that one of the biggest challenges in developing a hospital is the ability to staff it with doctors, nurses, technicians and other necessary employees,” Sgro said. “This is why we have continued our recruiting efforts since in the development of any hospital, the recruiting process often begins well in advance of completion of the design phase.”
The foundation continues to build relationships with reputable healthcare systems in an effort to recruit doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical professionals to Guam.
“This process has been ongoing now for the past years with visits to not just the states, but also with healthcare systems in Japan and the Philippines that maintain pools of doctors that are U.S.-board certified,” Sgro said.
“Although the establishment of these relationships in an effort to secure doctors, nurses and other medical professionals is important even without considering the military buildup, the realities of a growing population makes our efforts that much more important,” he added.
Pending in the legislature are two bills that seek to address the shortage of medical professionals on Guam by offering debt-payment incentives to physicians who are practicing off-shore. Under the proposed program, the government would cover the payments of target physicians’ medical student loans. The program would tap the Healthy Futures Fund.
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