Adelup reacts to new realignment plan

by Nick Delgado

Guam - Guam Buildup Office director Mark Calvo and the Calvo Administration are still digesting last Friday's announcement on the revised realignment plan for the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. Guam is set to receive 5,000 Marines, of which Calvo says 60% will be rotational, which means about 3,000 will actually be based here.

Calvo adds that the joint announcement implies that some higher-ranking Marines under a one-star general will be located here on Guam. "What the Administration is very curious on is the Japan contributions specifically the money that was initially identified to help us with our infrastructure, water, wastewater and power.  We want to get some quick movement on that money now that the terms have been renegotiated and start fixing our infrastructure, more specifically our wastewater infrastructure for our northern and central wastewater plants," he said.

Calvo adds the Administration is also looking forward to hearing more information about funding for the buildup in terms of the new arrangements and instruments that will be used to fund improvements for infrastructure, water and wastewater in Guam needed for the relocation. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is in the nation's capitol this week to meet with President Barack Obama.