Guam delegate renews push for Philippines' inclusion in visa-waiver program

Philippine aiport

 By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Guam Del. James Moylan has reiterated his call for the Philippines’ inclusion in the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program, saying the Asian country represents an

opportunity to boost the island's visitor market and deepen strategic ties in the

Indo-Pacific.

“As the ‘tip of the spear,’ Guam is not only the front line of defense in the Pacific, we are also the first impression and gateway to America for many in our region,” Moylan said in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“Welcoming more travelers from the Philippines supports that mission and strengthens the link between the United States and the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.

The Guam-CNMI visa waiver program allows citizens of eligible countries to

enter Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 90 days without a visa, 

facilitating travel for tourism and business.

Currently listed in the program are Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. 

Moylan argued that expanding the program to include the Philippines would significantly increase visitor arrivals, generate new spending and create more opportunities for local businesses.

 “This would be a game-changer for the Guam Visitors Bureau and a critical boost for our struggling tourism industry,” he added.

“Including the Philippines in the visa waiver program would help revitalize Guam’s economy, bolster our local infrastructure, and restore momentum for small businesses that rely on a steady flow of visitors to survive.”

Regine Biscoe Lee, CEO and president of the Guam Visitors Bureau, said Guam’s relationship with the Philippines extends far beyond tourism.

“It is rooted in shared history, faith, and strong cultural ties. Expanding the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program to include the Philippines strengthens these connections while removing barriers to travel and economic exchange,"  Lee said.

"This initiative also aligns with our ongoing efforts to diversify and grow our visitor markets, support local businesses, and create more opportunities that benefit our entire community."

Earlier this month, the Philippine Airlines announced an aircraft upgrade on the Guam-Manila route to support the growing demand.

PAL will upgrade from a narrow-body A321 NEO with 168 seats to a wide-body

A330 aircraft with 363 seats on the following flights: Guam- Manila on Dec. 20, 2025; and Manila-Guam on Jan. 3, 2026.

"These strategic updates reaffirm Philippine Airlines’ dedication to serving the Guam market with increased capacity, improved service and greater travel flexibility," the Philippine carrier said.

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