Guam not ready today, even less for buildup
By Gerhard Schwab • December 6, 2009
Before we ask what needs to change for the human services sector to be ready for the military buildup, we need to ask why our human services of today still are not fully prepared to deal with the social problems associated with Guam's buildup during the past 30 years.
In this time period, the population in Guam almost doubled, from 105,979 in 1980 to about 200,000 expected in the 2010 Census. Although we had three decades to adjust our human services to the increased population and to the socioeconomic changes in Guam, we cannot help but feel "mamalao" and frustrated when federal courts intervene to enforce the delivery and quality of basic public social services, when children in private and public child welfare organizations experience neglect and abuse, when hard-working families do not have the health care and family support they need to care for their elderly and sick family members, when our best local social service professionals leave Guam because of poor working conditions and/or lack of support and resources for their work, when ... when ...
If we, despite the many hard-working caring, and professionally competent people in the human service field still cannot get our human services competent enough to fully address today's social problems, then it is safe to expect that we shall be even less prepared for the planned military buildup.
The magnitude of changes proposed by the military planners are unprecedented in our community; the rate of speed and lack of local input and control in the planning process do not allow an accurate forecasting and planning for the social consequences and problems associated with the military buildup.
Because we are not ready for today, and even less ready for tomorrow, we need to look at the societal, structural factors that produce and maintain our social problems. In order to prevent the increase of social problems, we need to reduce the forces that produce social problems in the various realms of our lives. In other words, slow down and make the military buildup incremental and contingent on the achievement of critical communal quality of life indicators; such as political self-determination, education, health, housing and employment.
Hence, the military buildup only should be allowed to proceed, if:
# A timeline for the exercise of political self-determination of the Chamorro people is agreed upon and gradually implemented;
# The federal government allocates resources to gradually raise the funding levels of Guam's public schools to the same funding levels as military schools;
# A health-care plan is developed and approved to guarantee all residents of Guam access to health-care facilities equally well-equipped and resourced as Guam's military hospital;
# A set of public policies ensures that the quality of housing inside and outside the military fences equally meets human needs; and
# Buildup construction projects are linked with investments into the development of a sustainable local work force.
Gerhard Schwab, Ph.D. is a professor of social work at the University of Guam.
Showing posts with label Social Problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social Problems. Show all posts
Monday, December 07, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Public Health outlines priorities for buildup
Public Health outlines priorities for buildup
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • November 13, 2009
There are four priority issues the Department of Public Health and Social Services are looking to improve in preparation for the military buildup.
Those priority issues are strengthening workforce capacity, more capital improvements, increasing funding for infrastructure and services, and placing a greater focus on regulations, licensing and insurance.
"We have to ensure that these four priorities will allow for a road map to get us through the next five years," said Public Health Director J. Peter Roberto.
Roberto was addressing attendees of the Guam Community and Economic Development Forum at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort yesterday.
In strengthening the workforce, he said nurses and doctors need to be acquired. Their training, development and retention is also important, he added.
Similarly, an expansion of current health facilities is a must. Clinics in the north and south of the island are being prepared as such. These expansions must include new equipment and upgrades.
By 2015, Guam will get 20 years of growth in five years because of the military buildup. About 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be brought to the island along with 15,000 to 20,000 civilian residents, according to Pacific Daily News files.
"With this huge increase in our population we have to lay down the priorities. ... If we don't make the improvements in our infrastructure, then we can't deal with the buildup," Roberto said.
The department's Division of Environmental Health will be given first priority when the military buildup takes effect, he said.
"In the bigger picture, it plays a critical role in that health and safety is ensured," Roberto said. "We are talking about health and sanitation, the inspection of the barracks and food safety."
He said divisions dealing with communicable diseases and child protective services is the next priority.
But some say there is one priority that needs to top the list.
"I am very concerned that the topic of human services in health is very low on the list," said Sarah Thomas Nededog, executive director of Sanctuary Inc.
"We are already experiencing a host of other social issues, from mental health to disabilities, and we have not been successful in doing the job. There is no consensus in place for the quality of life for the people," she added.
Nededog said a comprehensive social development plan that will quantify the number of people on the island with disabilities, how many are homeless and the number of them who suffer from mental health issues is needed.
She said policies, funding and programs for the local population are areas that are "largely underdeveloped" when it comes to human services in health.
"We have some work to do now and we need to start paying attention. Prosperity of the population should be first and foremost," Nededog said.
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • November 13, 2009
There are four priority issues the Department of Public Health and Social Services are looking to improve in preparation for the military buildup.
Those priority issues are strengthening workforce capacity, more capital improvements, increasing funding for infrastructure and services, and placing a greater focus on regulations, licensing and insurance.
"We have to ensure that these four priorities will allow for a road map to get us through the next five years," said Public Health Director J. Peter Roberto.
Roberto was addressing attendees of the Guam Community and Economic Development Forum at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort yesterday.
In strengthening the workforce, he said nurses and doctors need to be acquired. Their training, development and retention is also important, he added.
Similarly, an expansion of current health facilities is a must. Clinics in the north and south of the island are being prepared as such. These expansions must include new equipment and upgrades.
By 2015, Guam will get 20 years of growth in five years because of the military buildup. About 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be brought to the island along with 15,000 to 20,000 civilian residents, according to Pacific Daily News files.
"With this huge increase in our population we have to lay down the priorities. ... If we don't make the improvements in our infrastructure, then we can't deal with the buildup," Roberto said.
The department's Division of Environmental Health will be given first priority when the military buildup takes effect, he said.
"In the bigger picture, it plays a critical role in that health and safety is ensured," Roberto said. "We are talking about health and sanitation, the inspection of the barracks and food safety."
He said divisions dealing with communicable diseases and child protective services is the next priority.
But some say there is one priority that needs to top the list.
"I am very concerned that the topic of human services in health is very low on the list," said Sarah Thomas Nededog, executive director of Sanctuary Inc.
"We are already experiencing a host of other social issues, from mental health to disabilities, and we have not been successful in doing the job. There is no consensus in place for the quality of life for the people," she added.
Nededog said a comprehensive social development plan that will quantify the number of people on the island with disabilities, how many are homeless and the number of them who suffer from mental health issues is needed.
She said policies, funding and programs for the local population are areas that are "largely underdeveloped" when it comes to human services in health.
"We have some work to do now and we need to start paying attention. Prosperity of the population should be first and foremost," Nededog said.
Panelists: Guam's youth should be involved in buildup talks
Panelists: Guam's youth should be involved in buildup talks
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • November 13, 2009
Guam's youth need to participate in military buildup talks because they are among those on island who will greatly be affected, panelists said.
"We as parents and educators need to ensure that our youths are brought into this discussion -- but a little at a time. That's how we will do it," said local activist Debbie Quinata.
She was speaking on a five-member panel at the Guam Community Economic Development Forum held yesterday at Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort. The forum's theme was "Strategies for a Sustainable Future."
The other members of the panel were Anne Perez Hattori, professor of Pacific History at the University of Guam; Tony Lamorena, director of the Bureau of Statistics and Planning; Lisalinda Natividad, UOG associate professor of social work; and historian Antonio Palomo.
They were discussing with top economic and government officials what they believe are the social and cultural impacts of the buildup for Guam. Hardly any students were present in the room.
"Young people need to take an interest in what's going to happen in the military buildup because this is going to affect them," said Lamorena.
Guam will get 20 years of growth in five years from the upcoming buildup, starting next year. About 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be brought to the island. As well, thousands of temporary workers will take part in the buildup, according to Pacific Daily News files.
Hattori said within all this planning, young people are easily left out.
"The youths are very easy to marginalize, especially because they don't have voting rights. So they are very easy to ignore and they need to have some privilege," said Hattori.
They said among the social impacts set to affect young people and rock the island are changes to the Chamorro culture, health care disparities and an exhaustion of the island's already limited resources and personnel. They believe keen attention must be paid to these issues -- not only by the students but by all.
Hattori said she worries that crime and other social issues may escalate.
"Guam is changing as we speak, and if today we are struggling with our social problems, our health problems, it will only intensify with this new population. ... We need to pay attention to the human suffering out there," she said.
Public safety
In another panel, Guam's public safety leaders agreed the population growth would inevitably cause more crime such as assaults, theft and sex crimes.
Although the increase might call for more police officers and prosecutors to be hired, it will not be an easy task.
Police Chief Paul Suba said he could use as many as 120 new recruits during each year of the buildup, but knows the government couldn't give him that luxury.
Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco said the increase in crime could force each of her criminal prosecutors to juggle more than 500 cases at once -- a call for GovGuam to hire more legal personnel and expertise.
But this, too, will be a struggle.
"Every year we have asked for a budgetary appropriation that we hope will allow our office to better meet our mandates and duties," Limtiaco said. "Unfortunately, given limited government resources, that does not happen."
To minimize the buildup effects and to move forward, Lamorena said GovGuam needs to realize that its capacity will be stretched and they will need help.
"In order for Guam to meet the growth demand, we are going to need major assistance from the U.S. government," he said.
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • November 13, 2009
Guam's youth need to participate in military buildup talks because they are among those on island who will greatly be affected, panelists said.
"We as parents and educators need to ensure that our youths are brought into this discussion -- but a little at a time. That's how we will do it," said local activist Debbie Quinata.
She was speaking on a five-member panel at the Guam Community Economic Development Forum held yesterday at Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort. The forum's theme was "Strategies for a Sustainable Future."
The other members of the panel were Anne Perez Hattori, professor of Pacific History at the University of Guam; Tony Lamorena, director of the Bureau of Statistics and Planning; Lisalinda Natividad, UOG associate professor of social work; and historian Antonio Palomo.
They were discussing with top economic and government officials what they believe are the social and cultural impacts of the buildup for Guam. Hardly any students were present in the room.
"Young people need to take an interest in what's going to happen in the military buildup because this is going to affect them," said Lamorena.
Guam will get 20 years of growth in five years from the upcoming buildup, starting next year. About 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents will be brought to the island. As well, thousands of temporary workers will take part in the buildup, according to Pacific Daily News files.
Hattori said within all this planning, young people are easily left out.
"The youths are very easy to marginalize, especially because they don't have voting rights. So they are very easy to ignore and they need to have some privilege," said Hattori.
They said among the social impacts set to affect young people and rock the island are changes to the Chamorro culture, health care disparities and an exhaustion of the island's already limited resources and personnel. They believe keen attention must be paid to these issues -- not only by the students but by all.
Hattori said she worries that crime and other social issues may escalate.
"Guam is changing as we speak, and if today we are struggling with our social problems, our health problems, it will only intensify with this new population. ... We need to pay attention to the human suffering out there," she said.
Public safety
In another panel, Guam's public safety leaders agreed the population growth would inevitably cause more crime such as assaults, theft and sex crimes.
Although the increase might call for more police officers and prosecutors to be hired, it will not be an easy task.
Police Chief Paul Suba said he could use as many as 120 new recruits during each year of the buildup, but knows the government couldn't give him that luxury.
Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco said the increase in crime could force each of her criminal prosecutors to juggle more than 500 cases at once -- a call for GovGuam to hire more legal personnel and expertise.
But this, too, will be a struggle.
"Every year we have asked for a budgetary appropriation that we hope will allow our office to better meet our mandates and duties," Limtiaco said. "Unfortunately, given limited government resources, that does not happen."
To minimize the buildup effects and to move forward, Lamorena said GovGuam needs to realize that its capacity will be stretched and they will need help.
"In order for Guam to meet the growth demand, we are going to need major assistance from the U.S. government," he said.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Team to hear buildup concerns
Team to hear buildup concerns
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • October 28, 2009
Culture clash and the availability of resources were two primary concerns expressed by members of local government agencies, nonprofits and the general public on the Guam Compatibility Sustainability Study yesterday.
At a workshop sponsored by the governor's office, members of the governor's Advisory Consulting Team told the public that the study hinges on their voicing of concerns dealing with the compatibility issues caused by the impending military buildup.
"This is your opportunity to provide direction in the development of our roadmap for our children and future generations," Gov. Felix Camacho said. "Your participation at the public workshop is vital."
The compatibility study addresses the public's concern with regard to how to protect existing communities, and provide opportunities for economic development.
The Advisory Consulting Team primarily consists of members from the Matrix Design Group Inc., an interdisciplinary planning and engineering firm specializing in professional engineering consulting for the public and private sectors. The team will hear about issues the public has identified as areas of concern, and will provide a set of recommendations to the military and GovGuam on possible actions to take to ease the transition, the team's project manager and Matrix Design Group Vice President Celeste Werner said.
Dawn Cruz, a residential supervisor at Sanctuary Inc., said members of her nonprofit organization were interested in problems that may arise socially, such as new forms of bullying among youths. Additionally, she wanted to find out how the shift of 8,000 Marines and their families to the island would affect the number of youths that Sanctuary Inc. sees at its shelter.
"Are we going to have a long waiting list?" she asked. "We need to prepare ourselves for the demand."
She added that programs such as those for substance abuse prevention or family counseling may have to be altered to meet the needs of a new group.
Aside from social issues that may arise as a result of cultural differences, Guam residents said that establishing the infrastructure to support the influx of people on the island would be the biggest challenge.
"A lot of the infrastructure is a big problem. Having enough water to provide the number of people living on the island as well as power," Dededo resident Joann Fontenot said. "If we can have all that structured, then, of course, everyone will be living comfortably."
Meanwhile, Tamuning Vice Mayor Louise Rivera added that land use is of concern to her because she has seen several projects approved by the Land Use Commission, but very few that have been enforced in a timely manner.
The team also explained the process of drafting an environmental impact statement, in preparation for the release of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) projected for Nov. 20.
The EIS is a detailed study of the potential consequences a federal action -- in this case, the buildup -- might have on people or the environment, and potential alternatives that would avoid or reduce those impacts, the One Guam Web site states. Once the draft is released, the public has 45 days to review it before the final EIS is published in the Federal Register.
But on Friday, Sens. Judy Guthertz and Rory Respicio, in a letter to Maj Gen. David Bice of the U.S. Marine Corps, requested an extension of the time needed for the public to review the draft after its release.
Following U.S. Ambassador John Roos' indication that Washington may give the new Japanese leadership more time to review the U.S.-Japan agreement on the realignment of forces, the two senators said that the people of Guam should similarly be granted an extension to review the EIS.
"Japan has announced that their decision may not be forthcoming until next summer," the letter reads. "From our perspective, the extremely restrictive 45-day review period is simply a matter of bureaucratic convenience, unrelated to the broader public purpose that it should serve, and certainly no longer sensible, based on the extension given to Japan."
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • October 28, 2009
Culture clash and the availability of resources were two primary concerns expressed by members of local government agencies, nonprofits and the general public on the Guam Compatibility Sustainability Study yesterday.
At a workshop sponsored by the governor's office, members of the governor's Advisory Consulting Team told the public that the study hinges on their voicing of concerns dealing with the compatibility issues caused by the impending military buildup.
"This is your opportunity to provide direction in the development of our roadmap for our children and future generations," Gov. Felix Camacho said. "Your participation at the public workshop is vital."
The compatibility study addresses the public's concern with regard to how to protect existing communities, and provide opportunities for economic development.
The Advisory Consulting Team primarily consists of members from the Matrix Design Group Inc., an interdisciplinary planning and engineering firm specializing in professional engineering consulting for the public and private sectors. The team will hear about issues the public has identified as areas of concern, and will provide a set of recommendations to the military and GovGuam on possible actions to take to ease the transition, the team's project manager and Matrix Design Group Vice President Celeste Werner said.
Dawn Cruz, a residential supervisor at Sanctuary Inc., said members of her nonprofit organization were interested in problems that may arise socially, such as new forms of bullying among youths. Additionally, she wanted to find out how the shift of 8,000 Marines and their families to the island would affect the number of youths that Sanctuary Inc. sees at its shelter.
"Are we going to have a long waiting list?" she asked. "We need to prepare ourselves for the demand."
She added that programs such as those for substance abuse prevention or family counseling may have to be altered to meet the needs of a new group.
Aside from social issues that may arise as a result of cultural differences, Guam residents said that establishing the infrastructure to support the influx of people on the island would be the biggest challenge.
"A lot of the infrastructure is a big problem. Having enough water to provide the number of people living on the island as well as power," Dededo resident Joann Fontenot said. "If we can have all that structured, then, of course, everyone will be living comfortably."
Meanwhile, Tamuning Vice Mayor Louise Rivera added that land use is of concern to her because she has seen several projects approved by the Land Use Commission, but very few that have been enforced in a timely manner.
The team also explained the process of drafting an environmental impact statement, in preparation for the release of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) projected for Nov. 20.
The EIS is a detailed study of the potential consequences a federal action -- in this case, the buildup -- might have on people or the environment, and potential alternatives that would avoid or reduce those impacts, the One Guam Web site states. Once the draft is released, the public has 45 days to review it before the final EIS is published in the Federal Register.
But on Friday, Sens. Judy Guthertz and Rory Respicio, in a letter to Maj Gen. David Bice of the U.S. Marine Corps, requested an extension of the time needed for the public to review the draft after its release.
Following U.S. Ambassador John Roos' indication that Washington may give the new Japanese leadership more time to review the U.S.-Japan agreement on the realignment of forces, the two senators said that the people of Guam should similarly be granted an extension to review the EIS.
"Japan has announced that their decision may not be forthcoming until next summer," the letter reads. "From our perspective, the extremely restrictive 45-day review period is simply a matter of bureaucratic convenience, unrelated to the broader public purpose that it should serve, and certainly no longer sensible, based on the extension given to Japan."
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Social Impact of the Military Buildup
Editorial: The social impact of the build-up
The Marianas Variety
Guam Editorials
Wednesday January 30, 2008
First off, we believe that the U.S. military is a good organization as a whole and that it has, in general, acted properly in carrying out its duties overseas.
That being said, we should take note of the incidents related by the visiting activists during this week's UOG forum on women and human rights.
The activists came from Okinawa, the place where thousands of U.S. Marines and their dependents will be relocated to Guam.
Comparisons between Guam and Okinawa can be made because both are relatively small island communities that host a large number of U.S. military personnel.
Okinawa, which has been called an island of deep-seated resentment, accounts for only 0.6 percent of Japan's land area. Yet 75 percent of U.S. military installations in Japan are concentrated in the prefecture.
On Guam, the population will increase by almost 50,000 by the time the military's expansion is completed.
Suzuyo Takazato, co-founder and director for the Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, warned during the forum that there would likely be an increase in violence against local women when the Marines from Okinawa move to the island.
While activist rhetoric can sometimes lead to generalizations and oversimplification, the incidents related by Takazato were true. There were indeed crimes committed by the military during its stay in Okinawa and other places.
Thus, our leaders should take the revelations made during the forum as a cue that more needs to be done on the social aspects of the military's expansion on Guam.
The economic and infrastructure issues that will be affected by the coming of the Marines' have already gained the attention of GovGuam. And rightly so, because these are important and will have a big impact on the lives of the residents here.
However, the social impact is important too and should not be overlooked in the general excitement over the economic impact that the military build-up would have.
This early, Gov Guam and the private sector, especially the non-government organizations, should already be gearing up for the societal problems that the coming of the Marines will cause and take a pro-active approach.
For there will be problems, make no mistake. The military, just like any organization in the world, is comprised of human beings. And where there are humans, there will always be human foibles and shortcomings.
The military, too, should do its part. Over the years, military training has been improving to the point that atrocities common during the Vietnam era have more or less been already curtailed.
It is now up to the current military leadership to ensure that the military doesn't repeat the mistakes it made in Okinawa when it relocates the Marines to Guam.
The Marianas Variety
Guam Editorials
Wednesday January 30, 2008
First off, we believe that the U.S. military is a good organization as a whole and that it has, in general, acted properly in carrying out its duties overseas.
That being said, we should take note of the incidents related by the visiting activists during this week's UOG forum on women and human rights.
The activists came from Okinawa, the place where thousands of U.S. Marines and their dependents will be relocated to Guam.
Comparisons between Guam and Okinawa can be made because both are relatively small island communities that host a large number of U.S. military personnel.
Okinawa, which has been called an island of deep-seated resentment, accounts for only 0.6 percent of Japan's land area. Yet 75 percent of U.S. military installations in Japan are concentrated in the prefecture.
On Guam, the population will increase by almost 50,000 by the time the military's expansion is completed.
Suzuyo Takazato, co-founder and director for the Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, warned during the forum that there would likely be an increase in violence against local women when the Marines from Okinawa move to the island.
While activist rhetoric can sometimes lead to generalizations and oversimplification, the incidents related by Takazato were true. There were indeed crimes committed by the military during its stay in Okinawa and other places.
Thus, our leaders should take the revelations made during the forum as a cue that more needs to be done on the social aspects of the military's expansion on Guam.
The economic and infrastructure issues that will be affected by the coming of the Marines' have already gained the attention of GovGuam. And rightly so, because these are important and will have a big impact on the lives of the residents here.
However, the social impact is important too and should not be overlooked in the general excitement over the economic impact that the military build-up would have.
This early, Gov Guam and the private sector, especially the non-government organizations, should already be gearing up for the societal problems that the coming of the Marines will cause and take a pro-active approach.
For there will be problems, make no mistake. The military, just like any organization in the world, is comprised of human beings. And where there are humans, there will always be human foibles and shortcomings.
The military, too, should do its part. Over the years, military training has been improving to the point that atrocities common during the Vietnam era have more or less been already curtailed.
It is now up to the current military leadership to ensure that the military doesn't repeat the mistakes it made in Okinawa when it relocates the Marines to Guam.
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