HAGÅTÑA — Congressman James Moylan pressed for expanding the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines and for strengthening Coast Guard capabilities in the region during a meeting with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who stopped over on Guam Thursday.
“Including the Philippines in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program remains a top priority of mine,” Moylan said, emphasizing the economic opportunity of increased Philippine travel while maintaining screening, information-sharing and security safeguards. “This is an opportunity to strengthen our tourism economy and deepen our ties with the Philippines while ensuring the proper safeguards remain in place.”
Moylan credited Guam Senate Majority Leader Jesse Lujan for advocacy on the local and regional front, and CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds for advancing the effort federally, including developing legislation aimed at adding the Philippines to the program. “This is a shared priority for Guam and the CNMI, and I’m excited to work with Delegate King-Hinds when Congress returns to session to keep building on this effort,” he said.
The meeting was hosted by Capt. Jessica Worst, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. Moylan pressed for additional Coast Guard personnel, aircraft, vessels and resources on Guam to strengthen regional patrols, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, support humanitarian response, and expand the service’s presence in the region.
“Guam is on the front lines of America’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific,” Moylan said. “Strengthening the Coast Guard’s presence here gives us greater capacity to protect our waters, combat illegal fishing, respond to emergencies, and strengthen America’s partnerships throughout the region.”
