No More Delays; We Will Build GMH In Mangilao, and Create a New Economy

[Editor’s note: Governor Lou Leon Guerrero submitted her opposite editorial (op-ed) to Kandit’s question, “What are the pros and cons of the legislature either allowing the governor to build the new hospital near Eagle’s Field, or forcing her to build it in Tamuning?” Kandit’s editorial will be published Sunday after all op-eds on this question have been published.]

By Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero

For two legislative terms, the location of our new Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) has been a battleground of competing opinions—debated, argued, and revisited countless times. But here’s the reality: no debate will ever achieve universal agreement. No amount of discussion will build the hospital our community so desperately needs.

I’ve taken decisive action to move this project forward because it is essential to the health and safety of Guam—and I believe most people agree it’s long overdue, regardless of its location.

To that end, we are no longer just talking about building a new hospital. We’ve acquired land in Mangilao, and we’re breaking ground. This hospital will serve everyone—those who supported this location and those who didn’t. What matters most is that it will be there, providing the care our people deserve.

Each year we delay construction is another year of compromised medical care, overwhelmed facilities, and missed opportunities to improve the health of our island. Guam cannot afford more wasted time.

Let me address concerns about land acquisition head-on. Some argue alternative locations could avoid land acquisition altogether, but these arguments fall apart when we consider the history of this issue. For example, the federal government offered us a no-cost lease for hospital land at Eagles Field. This option would have avoided land acquisition costs entirely and even opened the door to valuable partnerships with the Department of Defense.

Unfortunately, certain legislators opposed this opportunity under the guise of pursuing land return—a process that, to this day, has not materialized. Their refusal cost us a significant opportunity to build a hospital and potentially share many costs with the feds.

But Eagles Field wasn’t the only alternative we pursued. Another proposal focused on property in Eda Agaga, just a few minutes up the road from Eagles Field. This was GovGuam property managed by the Ancestral Lands Commission. Leasing or purchasing this land would have generated millions of dollars for the Commission, funds that could have directly benefited original landowners. Yet, this proposal was also rejected by the same legislators.

Given these repeated refusals, we can no longer afford to waste time on alternatives to nowhere. It’s time to move forward.

Take a look at a map of Guam’s existing hospitals—U.S. Naval Hospital, the current GMH, and GRMC. They’re all clustered along the western shores, forming a narrow line of care. By placing the new GMH in Mangilao, along the back road to Andersen Air Force Base, we shift a critical point to the eastern side of the island. This creates a true triangle of care, strategically spreading our hospitals to maximize access for everyone.

More importantly, this configuration positions the new GMH to better serve southern and eastern populations that have historically been underserved. This isn’t just about geography; it’s about equity. It’s about ensuring no community is left behind, regardless of location.

We’re building infrastructure for Guam’s future—not just for today, but for generations to come. By building critical water, wastewater, power, and road infrastructure in this area we will open up easier access for more private residents to build homes and private businesses to develop lands along Rt. 15. We will create a new corridor of development in this region. The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority (GHURA), which is the lead agency on Guam for urban renewal and development, has plans to put affordable housing and other projects that will benefit the island community in this area.

I know some will continue to disagree. That is their right. But leadership means making tough decisions and moving forward with conviction. Debate has its place, but the time for action is now.

Together, we will build a hospital in Mangilao that saves lives, improves health outcomes, and stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we prioritize the needs of our community. Guam deserves nothing less.

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Lourdes “Lou” Aflague Leon Guerrero is the ninth Governor of Guam and the first female governor of the territory. She is also a registered nurse, a businesswoman, a policymaker, a mother, and a grandmother.