Guam to Hire 10,000-15,000 Filipino Workers for Military Base Construction

According to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who recently returned from a working trip to the United States, Guam plans to hire between 10,000 and 15,000 Filipinos to help with the construction of new military sites on the island.

Zubiri claimed that the proposal to persuade the US national government to hire Filipinos for the building project was disclosed to him by Guamanian Congressman James Moylan, as reported by CNN Philippines.

In January of last year, the US Marine Corps inaugurated its first brand-new installation in seven decades. Starting in 2024, it will house 5,000 Marines currently stationed on the island of Okinawa, off the coast of Japan.

In an effort to lessen hostility toward the presence of American troops on the island, former US President Barack Obama and the Japanese government negotiated a deal in 2012 to remove the Marines from Okinawa.

Construction of Military Bases in Guam

The United States has been building military bases in Guam since the early 20th century. The island's strategic location in the Pacific Ocean made it an ideal location for military bases, and the US government has continued to invest in military infrastructure in Guam in recent years.

In 2012, the US and Japan agreed to a plan to relocate about 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam. This plan, known as the "Guam Integrated Military Development Plan," has led to the construction of a new base, Camp Blaz, on the northern coast of Guam. Camp Blaz is expected to be completed in 2024 and will be home to about 5,000 Marines.

In addition to Camp Blaz, the US government has also been investing in other military infrastructure projects in Guam. These projects include the construction of a new firing range complex, the expansion of Andersen Air Force Base, and the improvement of Naval Base Guam.

PHILIPPINES-POLITICS-ECONOMY-INVESTMENTS

(Photo: by JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images) Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri presides over the plenary session at the Senate in Manila on May 31, 2023. Philippine lawmakers approved the creation of an 8.9 billion USD sovereign wealth fund on May 31 to boost growth and cut poverty, but critics insisted it was a "scam" and should be scrapped.

The construction of US military bases in Guam is likely to continue in the years to come. The US government sees Guam as an important strategic asset in the Pacific and is committed to maintaining a strong military presence on the island.

Filipinos in Guam

Filipino workers have been playing a significant role in the construction of US military bases in Guam for many years. In fact, the Philippines is the major source of manpower for the island's construction projects, a bulk of which are related to the military build-up.

There are several reasons Filipino workers are so important to the construction industry in Guam. First, Filipino workers are highly skilled and experienced in construction. Second, Filipino workers are willing to work hard for long hours. Third, Filipino workers are relatively inexpensive to hire.

The construction of US military bases in Guam has provided many economic opportunities for Filipino workers. In recent years, the demand for Filipino workers in Guam has increased significantly, and the wages that Filipino workers can earn in Guam are much higher than what they can earn in the Philippines.