Speaker's Weekly Address – September 28

by Speaker Judi Won Pat
31st Guam Legislature

My Dear People of Guam,

The Legislature and the Governor formally acted on our shared commitment to paying long overdue taxes as well as to paying for other priorities through a bond.  The bond obligates every tax payer on Guam, for the next 35 years, to paying close to a billion dollars when it is all said and done.  Notwithstanding my objection to the bond measure as presented, the implications of paying that bond are no longer theoretical.  The repayment of the bonds are a reality that we each have to deal with and I am prepared to be part of the solution to meet that challenge.

I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that we dutifully meet our debt repayment obligations.

One initiative that has received the attention of the Legislature and the Calvo administration is the inclusion of Russian and Chinese tourists in the Guam-Northern Mariana Island Visa Waiver Program.  While there is only one visa waiver program for Guam and the NMI, Russian and Chinese travelers are not permitted to enter Guam under the visa-waiver program unless authorized by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

We know the potential of these multi-billion dollar tourism markets and what this may mean for Guam.  And we know who we need to convince in order to effectuate the visa-waivers needed for Russian and Chinese to enter Guam. The only logical step is to go beyond the research and be proactive in articulating and implementing such programs.

Before I speak to some of these initiatives, let me share some figures associated with these two markets in order to ‘make it real' for you.  In a 2008 hearing before the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife, Vice-Speaker BJ Cruz stated that Chinese andRussian tourists could potentially generate $212 million in combined payroll, hotel lodging, and gross receipts taxes by 2018. Just think about how $212 million dollars could help build more schools, improve our infrastructure, allow for the implementation of the Hay Study and ensure that our hospital and emergency response teams are fully equipped, supplied, and trained.

I am calling upon the Calvo administration to work closely with the Guam Legislature, and I invite members of the public and the Chamber of Commerce, to help articulate a plan that proactively addresses and satisfies the concerns that Washington D.C. may have when contemplating when to extend the privilege of having Russian and Chinese outbound travelers into Guam.

For starters, let me propose the following initiatives for each of our consideration:

1. Travel Bond. A tried and true risk mitigating initiative is the requirement for Russians and Chinese tourists who enter Guam and the CNMI to post a monetary bond as a condition for travel. It may serve as a tool in reducing the possibility ofRussians and Chinese from overstaying their visa. Such a bond will be posted prior to the approval of any travel into Guam or the CNMI and which may be remitted back upon return to their country. If they stay beyond the allotted days, the Government of Guam may then utilize the bond money towards the identification and apprehension of any person(s) staying illegally.

2. Liability Insurance for Tour Operators, Travel Entities, Etc. Second, the Government of Guam should implement measures that would hold the tour companies and travel operators who directly service Russian and Chinese tourists liable. Fine those companies if a patron under their jurisdiction overstays their visit.

3. Real-Time Traveller Database. Third, I highly recommend instituting a technology-based system that captures data relative to the status of tourists under the Guam-NMI Visa Waiver Program.   This may serve to mitigate any security concerns because of the increased accountability.


4. Systems of Fines and Fees. And last but not least, instituting a system of fines and fees for businesses that employ, house, room or board, or otherwise abetting the traveller in violation of a law may serve as another risk mitigating factor. This would prevent illegal immigrants from attaining work on Guam, a clear violation of their travel conditions. It's simple: heavily fine thosebusinesses that aid and abet visa violators.

However, it is important to strike a balance in order that we not discourage Chinese and Russians tourists who are considering travelling to Guam.

If we come together as an island and present a plan that makes sense to the Department of Homeland Security and that satisfactorily addresses the concerns of those in Washington D.C., then I believe we are one step closer to experiencing an even greatertourism boom beyond what was experienced in previous decades.

• LISTEN TO SPEAKER WON PAT'S ADDRESS