Olongapo, which used to host the largest American naval base outside of the U.S., has enough experienced skilled workers, he said.
Even before the development of the Guam military buildup project, Gordon said they already have a list of all qualified workers.
“The Philippines is totally prepared, especially Olongapo, to address the labor force needed in Guam,” Gordon told Variety, in an interview.
In his message, Agana Heights Mayor Paul M. McDonald, Association of Pacific Island Local Governments president, said Guam and the CNMI can only provide 5,000 trained workers for the buildup, which needs at least 25,000.
“The rest of the labor force should be imported from other regions, including the Philippines,” he said.
McDonald said the military buildup will have a domino effect in Micronesia and the Philippines.
Gordon said some contractors on Guam have already visited his city to inquire about their labor force.
He added that Olongapo also intends to forge a sister-city relationship with Guam.
The Philippine government, he said, has a history of sending labor force, particularly after World War II when it deployed workers who helped develop and the Mariana islands.
McDonald told participants of the conference to grab every opportunity because “this is very important in getting the right connection” with other Pacific executives.
Guam’s military buildup will bring more development in the Pacific, he added, as he urged other islands to open their areas for the opportunities to offered by the military.
He said Guam doesn’t have enough lands for the military — “they can also go to Tinian, to Rota and Palau.”
