Governor Lou Leon Guerrero is urging lawmakers to swiftly pass Bill No. 2 (1-S), warning that failure to act could cost Guam more than $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds set aside for critical infrastructure upgrades in Mangilao.
In a letter sent Sept. 24 to Republican legislative leaders, the governor addressed concerns raised in recent hearings about the use of ARPA funds for infrastructure on the planned site of a new medical campus and hospital. She clarified that federal rules permit the funds to be used on infrastructure projects even if the medical campus is not ultimately built at the Mangilao site, and that doing so would not trigger a clawback by the U.S. Treasury.
Leon Guerrero cautioned that the money must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026, or it will be permanently lost. She noted that the deadline to reprogram ARPA funds has already passed, leaving the Mangilao infrastructure project as the only eligible path to safeguard the investment. “We simply cannot afford to waste over $100 million that has been committed to a project that will, without question, improve the lives of so many in our community,” she said.
The governor emphasized that the project qualifies under ARPA’s “Revenue Loss” category, which covers roads, water, sewer, and health-related facilities. She called on senators to approve the measure quickly, saying the bill would not only preserve federal funding but also deliver long-term benefits for residents by protecting Guam’s aquifer and supporting future development.