Mar-Vic Cagurangan

Guam

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief at The Pacific Island Times

Articles

Shrinking federal assistance leaves Guam on its own

1 week ago | pacificislandtimes.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

In 2020, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero came under fire for saying her administration was "milking" concessions from the federal government in exchange for hosting the Covid-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt. “The best decision I ever made is allowing the USS Theodore Roosevelt to go to our hotels,” the governor said during a virtual meeting with Rotarians on Guam. “They think we’re just the bomb. Really. The secretary of defense—I don’t know how many letters he wrote me thanking me.
What Guam can do amid the tariff chaos

1 month ago | pacificislandtimes.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

National economists are predicting an economic meltdown resulting from Donald Trump’s radical tariff regime that stirs up trade wars. But amid the global mayhem, local economist Gary Hiles pointed out that Guam is—oddly but agreeably—in a bright spot. The tariff hullabaloo presented a rare, serendipitous occasion when we found consolation in the isolated perks of Guam’s status as an unincorporated territory—an arrangement that is generally far from ideal.
Palacios: US military to expand footprint in CNMI

2 months ago | mvariety.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

HAGÅTÑA (Pacific Island Times) — As the Tinian divert airfield project nears completion, the Department of Defense plans to expand its presence to other islands in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Gov. Arnold Palacios said. “They're looking at a concept to build very passive property facilities in Rota and Saipan, such as storage, warehousing and fuel,” Palacios said after a closed-door meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Guam Gov.
$40 million contract inked to kickstart 3D printing project on Guam

Mar 29, 2025 | pacificislandtimes.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

Gov. Leon Guerrero asks the defense department to fund the establishment of a training center By Mar-Vic CaguranganThe Maritime Industrial Base Program office has signed a $40 million contract with Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America, or ASTRO America, to jumpstart the proposed 3D printing on Guam. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero disclosed the contract signing during a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Andersen Air Force Base on March 27.
Hegseth commits US to defence of Pacific territories against China

Mar 28, 2025 | asiapacificreport.nz | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan for BenarNewsUS Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed the Trump administration’s defence commitments to America’s Pacific territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands and that any attack on them would be an attack on the mainland. Hegseth touched down in Guam from Hawai’i on Thursday as part of an Indo-Pacific tour, his first as Defence Secretary, in which he is seeking to shore up traditional alliances to counter China.
Hegseth: US committed to defense of Pacific territories against China

Mar 28, 2025 | rfa.org | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

HAGATNA, Guam - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed the US is committed to defending the Pacific territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands and said any attack on them would be an attack on the mainland. Hegseth touched down in Guam from Hawaii on Thursday as part of a regional tour, his first as defense secretary, in which he is seeking to shore up long-standing alliances to counter China.
Guam requests $600M from defense department to fund hospital project

Mar 28, 2025 | pacificislandtimes.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

By Mar-Vic CaguranganGov. Lou Leon Guerrero asked the Department of Defense to fund Guam’s hospital project—estimated to cost $600 million— which she said will serve both the civilian and the military sectors. “We want to be a partner in the readiness effort, but national security cannot happen without human health security,” the governor said during a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Andersen Air Force Base on Thursday.
US military to expand footprint in CNMI

Mar 27, 2025 | pacificislandtimes.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

By Mar-Vic CaguranganAs the Tinian divert airfield project nears completion, the Department of Defense plans to expand its presence to other islands in the Northern Marianas, Gov. Arnold Palacios said. “They're looking at a concept to build very passive property facilities in Rota and Saipan, such as storage, warehousing and fuel,” Palacios said after a closed-door meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Guam Del.
Hegseth commits US to defense of Pacific territories against China

Mar 27, 2025 | benarnews.org | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed the Trump administration’s commitment to America’s Pacific territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands and any attack on them would be an attack on the mainland. Hegseth touched down in Guam from Hawaii on Thursday as part of an Indo-Pacific tour, his first as defense secretary, in which he is seeking to shore up traditional alliances to counter China.
DOD's $2B investment plans for FSM announced at Hegseth's secret meeting with Micronesian president

Mar 27, 2025 | pacificislandtimes.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

By Mar-Vic CaguranganThe Pentagon plans to invest $2 billion in the Federated States of Micronesia to build more projects that would enable U.S. forces to operate in the Pacific island nation, the Department of Defense said. The U.S. and the FSM have reached a mutual understanding to proceed with the construction of previously authorized U.S.-funded infrastructure projects in Yap.