After the possible closure of Guam’s senior centers raised alarm for families and our manåmko’, nearly three months later, questions remain about funding and long-term stability. You may recall the funding shortfalls that initially put these centers at risk of closing back in November 2025.

At the time, Joyjean Arceo, executive director of the Mayors Council of Guam, stated that funding for the island’s 12 senior centers would only last until mid-November, unless additional funds could be confirmed by the Department of Public Health and Social Services.

Delays for that funding due to a dispute between the two agencies then caused a brief pause in operations of a handful of centers in December. 

The closure of centers meant no meals, transportation, or activities, but the dispute was fully resolved and senior centers reopened the next day.

No major, permanent shifts were reported at the time and mcog received partial funding, $70,000 out of their $1.4 million request, with the remaining amount expected by March for continued operation.

And on Wednesday the MCOG met for a status update, with Joyjean Arceo saying, “MCOG recently met with representatives from DPHSS on January 27th regarding matters from the December 4th meeting that was brought up by you mayors. We are awaiting a response, which was anticipated to be received here by me, by my office on February 3rd.”

And as of Thursday, Arceo stated communication from DPHSS to MCOG is still pending.

Some of the items MCOG requested information on from DPHSS include: funding for repair and maintenance, limited transportation services for participants, clarifying bingo activities program monies, and the remaining funding for the Senior Center Operation Program amounting to over $738,000.