Speech of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Filipino Community in Guam

Guam Palace Hotel,  (23 June 2006)

Isang nagaalab na pagbati sa lahat ng mga kapuso, mga kapamilya, mga kabalikat, mga kababayan. Hafa Adai. At Mabuhay.

Our President, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sends her love to all of you. She asked me to convey her sense of pride to all of you for your contributions to the economies of both the Philippines and Guam. She was here as a Senator in 1995 and she has very fond memories of that visit.

I am just as proud as she is. For no less than the governor of this great Pacific island has issued a proclamation as a tribute to the Filipino community’s collective contributions to Guam’s development. To Governor Felix Camacho, let me say thank you in behalf of all Filipinos, here in Guam and throughout the world, for issuing Proclamation 2006-056 declaring June 2006 as Philippine Independence Month.

I would like to thank our gracious hosts former Governor Carl Gutierrez and Senator Benjamin Cruz. But let me disabuse the minds of everyone. Our visit is not about politics. Our visit is about celebrating the 108th anniversary of Philippine Independence. It is a about bringing the good news from the Philippines to you and updating you of the significant recent developments in our homeland, the initiatives of the Philippine government and the opportunities which you may wish to consider.

Yesterday, at a news conference, when asked about local politics, I said, and let me say again. I am just a visitor and a first time visitor at that. Commenting on local internal politics would be inappropriate just as I would personally feel offended if Americans were to meddle in Manila politics.

Having said that, let me say that my wife and I are excited about our first visit to lovely Guam. We hope it will not be the last. We wish we could stay longer but I have to catch a flight to Manila early tomorrow to be able to join the President later in the day in her 7-day visit to Rome, The Vatican and Madrid where she will be the guest of the newly elected Italian head of state, The Holy Father and the King and Queen of Spain, in that order.

Last night, I learned that President Arroyo fell ill and was taken to the St. Luke’s Hospital where doctors diagnosed her to have suffered from acute diarrhea. She is doing fine now but she may have to stay in the hospital for another day. The European trip, I was told is still a go, but may have to be slightly delayed.

Your community is the largest ethnic community on the island, after the indigenous Chamorros. The Filipino population is said to comprise 26 percent of the total population of Guam. Your social, economic and even political clout lies in your ability to unite, and speak with one voice, on matters that affect your community.

You may have heard about a mammoth celebration held in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Filipino migration to the United States.

This centennial of Filipino migration tells us that while globalization is a recent worldwide phenomenon, for us Filipinos it has always been a way of life. History, not only of our country but of several others, proves that we truly are citizens of the world. We have proven this with our presence in over a hundred countries and on different sea lanes that traverse the globe.

From a handful of Filipinos who went to Hawaii to work in sugarcane fields in 1906, the Filipino community in the United States has grown to 3.5 million people, spread throughout America.

Matatandaan natin na ang Guam, tulad din ng Pilipinas, ay sumailalim sa Spanish colonial rule nang mahigit 300 taon. Ang dalawang coloniang ito ay isinuko ng Espanya sa Estados Unidos nang matalo ang mga Kastila sa Spanish-American War.

Kahapon, nag-alay kami ng bulaklak sa bantayog ng ating dakilang bayaning si Apolinario Mabini, na kasama ang limampu at apat (54) na iba pang mga makabayang Pilipino ay ipinatapon sa Guam noong panahon ng mga Kastila. Bagamat si Mabini at karamihan sa kanyang mga kasama ay nagsibalik sa Pilipinas, apat sa kanila ay nagpasyang maiwan sa Guam. Nakapag-asawa sila ng mga taga-rito at naging ninuno ng mga prominenteng Guamanian, kabilang na ang unang arsobispo ng isla.

These shared experiences and lessons of the past have brought special meaning to relations between Guam and the Philippines. Perhaps this is why there is extraordinary warmth between the natives of this island and Filipino migrants.

I recall that during the 70’s, or at the start of the martial law years, there were only around 200 Filipinos in Guam. Today, Filipinos comprise more than one-fourth of Guam’s population, now estimated at plus or minus 170 million.

You have become a pillar of the island’s economy. You provide the manpower resources that help make this island a productive and efficient one. You are also among its consumers, so that every dollar earned does count in economic and fiscal calculations for the future.

Alam ninyo, sa pagtungtong pa lang namin sa airport ng Guam, ang pakiramdam naming mag-asawa ay parang nasa Pilipinas pa din kami. Kaya’t hindi ako nakaramdam ng jetlag. Alam ko na marami sa mga kababayan natin ay nagtatrabaho bilang resort managers, hotel staff, restaurant crew at department store clerks.

Marami rin sa inyo ang mga professionals, kagaya ng schoolteachers, nurses, doctors at lawyers. Bukod diyan, isang mahalagang sektor ng Filipino community sa Guam ang Filipino entrepreneurs. Kabilang daw sa richest tycoons ng Guam ay mga Pilipino, at marami rin ang nagmamay-ari ng iba’t-ibang small businesses.

Nabalitaan ko na matapos ang taon ay may SM Department Store na dito sa Guam. Sayang nga at hindi pa ito nabubuksan. Kung nagkataon at tanungin ako ng mahal na Pangulo kung ano ang ginawa ko sa Guam, sasabihin ko sa kanya na, "Ma’am, sumaglit lang po ako sa SM."

Of course, we are just as proud of the shopping/entertainment complex known as Micronesia Mall owned by Dr. Lucio Tan and Agana Mall owned by ay Mr. Henry Sy. These are two of our most hardworking taipans, and we are proud that they have brought enormous investments to this island.

Across the seas, from distant shores, thousands of Filipinos are thinking of following in your footsteps – to leave their homeland to find work overseas; to go to more developed countries such as America and build a future. Migration is driven by the global economy although, ideally, we would prefer our citizens to stay, so that families can be united, and generations can be homegrown rather than uprooted.

The Philippine government under President Arroyo is committed to its vision of a Strong Filipino Family in a Strong Philippine Republic. President Arroyo has weathered many storms, and continues to fight more battles. Nevertheless, she remains focused on moving the economy forward, and building the peace through social, economic, and political reforms.

In yesterday’s press conference, I mentioned the two-pronged reforms which she would like to institute within her term which ends in 2010. The first is fiscal and economic reform. She has started that with the passage of a tough economic measure that is designed to balance our budget on or before 2010 and generate funds to hugely improve social services, finance vital infrastructure, generate investments which will in turn create new jobs and opportunities. This reform is beginning to bear fruit with the strengthening of the peso, the stock market, and producing solid economic growth figures.

Next in her agenda is political reform through charter change. Much leaves to be desired in our present political set-up which is prone to gridlock and inefficiencies. Many of our economic policies will have to be revised if we are to open the economy to more investments which will be a key to launching us to first world status in twenty years.

They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. The future of the Philippines begins today, and President Arroyo wants to make not just one step but one giant leap forward with her reforms.

However, she cannot do this alone. She needs the help of Filipinos, not just at home, but also from all over the world, including our citizens in the island of Guam.

Kaya nga’t sa pagkakataong ito, nais ko sanang hikayatin kayo na tumulong at manalig sa inyong Inangbayan. Buhayin natin at palakasin ang bayanihan spirit at sana’y mangibabaw palagi ang pagmamahal natin sa Pilipinas at sa kapwa Pilipino. Paano ba kayo makakatulong sa hangaring ito?

Una, dahil hindi naman kalayuan ang Guam sa Pilipinas – just a little over three hours away by plane and even shorter by 25 minutes if you have a good tail wind- hinihikayat ko kayong palaging magbakasyon sa ating bayan.

Our tourism business is growing up double digit and we have many destinations that have become favorites even among the most discerning travelers.

Have you seen Manila’s Baywalk? It is the long concrete divide between Manila Bay and Roxas Boulevard where lovers hold hands and families gaze at the horizon to witness the glorious setting of the sun.

Do you know that you can travel from Metro Manila to the outskirts of Bulacan, all the way to Clark, Pampanga and beyond, almost half the time that you used to? Speedy and safe travel is now possible because of our modern, hassle-free northern Luzon expressway.

We have malls of all sizes and shapes, diving spots teeming with marine life and corals, beaches with powdery white sand, and exotic, fun places in the most unexpected nooks and corners of our archipelago. Do you want to try swimming with the whale shark, one of the largest but one of the most gentle sea creatures? Just take a short plane hop from Manila and you will be in Sorsogon in a jiffy. I know there are many excellent golf courses here. But where in the world can you play golf with amenities fit for royalty, (a golf cart, a caddy, may kasama pang umbrella girl) for only 50 dollars per 18 holes. I brought here with me a few brochures and compact discs about the best places to visit. Isn’t it about time that you rediscover your country? Because when you do, be assured that your visit means more jobs, higher incomes, increased revenues for your compatriots back home.

Maaari rin kayong gumaya sa ibang citizens ng Guam na regular na nagtutungo sa Pilipinas para sa routine hanggang complicated medical checkups. Dati rati, hindi na ako makapagbasa ng hindi nananalamin. Subalit dahil sa lasix or laser surgery, luminaw na muli ang aking paningin. Ang how much did it cost. Just 900 dollars na alam kong chicken feed lang sa mga Guamanians.

For other major procedures, accredited ng gobyerno ng Guam ang St. Luke’s Hospital sa Quezon City, at ang Makati Medical Center at Asian Hospital sa Alabang, Muntinlupa City, (kung saan nagki- clinic si Dra Bunye) para tugunan ang mga pangangailangang medikal ng kanyang constituents. Today, medical tourism in the Philippines continues to attract clients, who have full trust in our doctors, nurses, and medical facilities.

Hinihiling ko rin sa inyo na mag-invest kayo sa Pilipinas, kahit na sa maliliit na negosyo sa inyong hometown. Send money home not for consumer goods but to enable your loved ones to put up a small business of their own. A sari-sari store, a food kiosk, a tricycle business – there are so many options to promote self-reliance through livelihood and jobs.

I know that you all look young and are also young at heart, but have you considered retirement in the Philippines? This is one of several flagship programs of the administration. Last month, no less than the President appointed a retirement czar in the person of former PNP Director General Edgardo Aglipay.

The biggest real estate companies in the country, namely – Ayala, Robinsons, Filinvest, Shoemart and Megaworld – have partnered with the government in drawing up and implementing a retirement development roadmap under the Philippine Retirement Agency, o PRA. We hope to earn $56 billion a year from this sector alone.

Retirement in the Philippines means having had the best of both worlds in a single lifetime. You grew up with Filipino values; are now working for higher pay in the territory of Guam; and will soon be able to save enough to retire in the land of your birth, in familiar places, with people who knew you from childhood days. Being in Guam does not mean you have to give up being a Filipino. The Dual Citizenship Act now allows you the best of both worlds. I encourage you to inquire from the Philippine Consulate General about this law.

Some of you may be wondering, "Is it safe to travel and stay in the Philippines?"

The answer is a resounding Yes. The world has heaped praises on our country’s relentless fight against terror. The government is now running after insurgents and rebels, so that true peace can be achieved. Crime is on the decline. We are off the US government’s watchlist on human trafficking and piracy of intellectual property.

We shall continue to beat all odds, with improvements in our fiscal economy through increased revenues. Our local governments are doing well, as engines of growth and social equity. But poverty that has been with us for decades is the wall that must fall down, for economic freedom to take root and flourish.

Your country is calling out to you, our beloved compatriots in Guam, to contribute your share, no matter how modest, to help uplift the lives of your fellow Filipinos. You can do this even just by visiting your homeland. Tourism is a vehicle to more jobs. Invite your friends or bring your children so that they could know more about the Philippines. Donate used books, adopt a poor child, adopt a school, help build a single classroom – there is so much that you can do. Even a heartfelt prayer for the Almighty God to bless the Philippines is a gift in itself.

I may be here on a short visit but I assure you that my memories of Guam are long and joyful. I am honored to be here with the Filipino community, because you are part of our national soul, and a sterling inspiration to many Filipinos back home.

Maraming maraming salamat po. Mabuhay kayong lahat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Guam!

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