Pangasinan, Guam sisterhood pushed

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan ,Philippines  — The provincial government of Pangasinan and the government of Guam mutually expressed their intent via approved resolutions to establish a sisterhood relationship.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. led Pangasinan officials in presenting Pangasinan’s resolution of intent to Guam Senators Judith Guthertz and Rory Respicio who came here with officials of the Federation of Pangasinenses in Guam led by retired Major Vic Rivo in a special session of the provincial board.

Calimlim presented Provincial Resolution No. 394-2011 which he authored declaring the intent to establish a sisterhood relationship and goodwill between the people of Guam of the United States of America and the people of the province of Pangasinan of the Republic of the Philippines.

Calimlim said such intent was a brainchild of Espino in his desire to enable skilled workers from Pangasinan to be given employment opportunities in Guam, among other economic prospects.

Pangasinan’s resolution partly states that the province would benefit from the sisterhood relationship and goodwill in creating closer ties in terms of business development, strong economic relationship and closer cultural experiences and exchanges among the people and the government of Guam.

Respicio and Guthertz also handed over a resolution expressing the interest of I Liheslaturan Guahan in exploring the possible establishment of a sister city relationship and goodwill with the people of the province of Pangasinan.

The provincial board of Pangasinan, in the same special session, passed two resolutions declaring Respicio and Guthertz as adopted son and daughter of Pangasinan.

For his part, Rivo who hails from Mapandan town, said the event was a welcome development for Pangasinenses in Guam like him.

Pangasinenses in Guam are the second largest ethnic group in that territory.

“With this partnership approved by both governments, I assure you that when the time comes, development projects and assistance needed by Pangasinenses in Guam would be properly responded to,” Rivo said.

Guthertz briefly discussed the similar historical backgrounds of Guam and the Philippines and the status of the Guam Military Buildup.

She said she is deeply indebted to the Filipino people as she had the opportunity to be a foreign student from Guam to study at the University of the Philippines for nine years, attaining four degrees.

Respicio, for his part, said that during their meeting with US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., they asked him to “really work hard for the ‘Guam only visa waiver’ for Filipinos who want to go to Guam.”

He said they told Thomas that Filipinos were the ones who helped them rebuild the island of Guam after World War II by sending over engineers and skilled construction workers, many of whom came from Pangasinan.

He said up to the present, teachers and nurses are sent to Guam “and these are the kinds of relationships that we would take with us when we remind our state colleagues, although they don’t need to be reminded, how important and influential every single Filipino who lives in Guam has been to our government.”

Espino said Pangasinan has been the greatest provider of skilled laborers so the Guam Military Buildup is a big opportunity for skilled Pangasinense workers.