Guam governor reiterates plea for federal aid to build Mangilao hospital
- Admin
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has reiterated her appeal for federal support to fund her administration’s plan to build a new hospital in Mangilao.
“What we are building in Mangilao is a lifeline for our people and for the military mission that depends on a healthy community,” the governor said during her meeting Sunday with U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Deb Fischer, chair and senior member, respectively, of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the discussion focused on Guam’s critical role in national defense and the opportunities tied to the ongoing military buildup, including infrastructure investments, workforce development and local business growth.
Noting that Guam is on the front line of U.S. defense, the governor said
“human health security is national security.”
“With this new phase of the military buildup, we also have a chance to shape our island’s future in ways that strengthen both our security and our quality of life,” the governor said.
She said the meeting with U.S. Senate leaders allowed her administration “to make clear that our people must benefit from the same investments that make Guam stronger for America.”
“The meeting underscored Guam’s place at the center of America’s security in the Indo-Pacific while also highlighting the importance of ensuring that the island’s people and economy benefit from this historic transformation,” reads the press release from the governor’s office.
Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, who was also at the meeting, noted that the military buildup creates opportunities for Guam.
“The infrastructure projects pursued, the jobs prepared for our people, and the contracts awarded to local businesses will determine how resilient and prosperous Guam becomes in the years ahead,” he said.
Guam’s top leaders are seeking to tap federal agencies to address the military activities’ impact on Guam’s infrastructure and community. They asked that an Economic Adjustment Committee be convened to provide a platform for this discussion.
“It also emphasized the importance of greater investment in the Guam National Guard so that our citizen soldiers and airmen can take on expanded missions for the island’s defense,” Tenorio said.
“In addition, more attention must be given to strengthening commercial aviation and economic activity in our region to keep Guam connected and competitive," he added.
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