Bridging Territories: Moylan’s Dialogue with Marcos Aims to Strengthen Guam-Philippines Ties
In a significant step towards deepening the ties between Guam and the Philippines, Del. James Moylan recently held a fruitful meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The primary focus of their dialogue was to explore the expansion of the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program to include the Philippines, a move that could greatly facilitate travel and bolster relations between the two regions. Moylan and Marcos delved into discussions that not only promise to ease travel restrictions but also sought to extend healthcare benefits to U.S. citizens living in the Philippines through Medicare portability.
President Marcos expressed his strong support for these initiatives, signaling a keen interest in fostering closer collaboration between Guam and the Philippine government. This gesture of diplomacy has spurred further discussions, with both parties looking to work closely with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to turn these proposals into reality. The bridging of efforts manifests in Moylan’s legislative pursuits, wherein he has introduced measures aimed at studying and potentially increasing Medicare coverage for U.S. citizens residing in the Philippines.
The push for these changes has also seen involvement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which has initiated the preliminary process for the visa waiver proposal in coordination with the Philippine DFA. This step is crucial in addressing concerns such as visa overstays and ensuring that the expansion of the waiver program operates within a framework of mutual benefit and security. Del. Moylan’s commitment to advancing these discussions is further supported by prominent Guam officials, including Governors Carl Gutierrez and Lou Leon Guerrero, as well as Senator Jesse Lujan, showcasing a unified stance in favor of these forward-looking measures.
Through these concerted efforts, Moylan and his team aim to not only enhance the ease of travel between the Philippines and Guam but also to create avenues for improved healthcare access for American expatriates. This collaborative endeavour between Guam and the Philippines marks a notable stride towards strengthening diplomatic, social, and economic ties, promising benefits and increased connectivity for citizens of both regions.