GRMC under new ownership
Guam Healthcare Development, Inc. and Guam Regional Medical City announced new ownership in a Nov. 30 press release. Blue Continent Healthcare Guam Medical City, a not-for-profit organization, will buy all physical assets and operations, although GHDI will continue to employ all current medical and administrative personnel. BCG will also hire PSI Management, Inc., a healthcare management company affiliated with GHDI, to facilitate the transition.
BCG plans to continue with the hospital’s ongoing strategic expansion, including increasing its inpatient bed capacity from 136 to 186 beds.
Executives to stay with Morrico
Senior executives Ross Morrison and Torgun Smith will remain with Morrico Equipment Holdings, which does business as Morrico Equipment LLC, according to Morrico. Atkins Kroll Inc. purchased Morrico effective Dec. 1.
The purchase agreement was signed Nov. 24, for an undisclosed amount.
For further details on the sale, see NMI update, new managements and dates for your diary — Marianas Business Journal (mbjguam.com)
PRC donates to FSM for COVID response
The People’s Republic of China has made a fourth donation to the Federated States of Micronesia for the country’s COVID response. The donation of $150,000 will be used to purchase medical supplies and equipment, according to a Nov. 27 release.
China donated $100,000 in April 2020; $20,000 to the Pohnpei State government; and a third donation of $50,000. Other donations from China include containerized medical isolation units, extensive amounts of personal protective equipment and virtual training, according to the release.
Public forum on traditional perspectives coming up
The 4th Biennial Western Pacific Conference on Public Administration and Policy Solutions will be hosted by Master of Public Administration candidates at the University of Guam, in collaboration with the UOG Regional Center for Public Policy. It will feature presentations by traditional leaders from Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshalls Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, with each presentation followed by a moderated discussion. The graduate students hope the dialog can inform future collaborative projects between the islands and the MPA program
The virtual conference will take place via Zoom on Dec. 1. For more information, contact Conference Chairperson Adam Suharto at (671) 487-2527 or [email protected], or visit the conference website at www.discovertraditionalperspectives.com.
To attend, register at https://url.uog.edu/WPC2021.
European Commission wants to limit vaccination certificate validity
The International Air Transport Association called for caution in response to a European Commission Recommendation that the EU Digital COVID Certificate should only remain valid for up to nine months after the second vaccination dose, unless a booster jab is administered.
“However, if booster shots are mandated to maintain the validity of the DCC, it is vital that states harmonize their approach to the length of time allowed between the point of full vaccination and administering the additional dose,” IATA said in a Nov. 27 release. The EC recommendation is nine months.
Section 8 rental assistance for 2022
The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority has announced the approval of the fiscal 2022 payment standards for Section 8 rental assistance, which is a subsidy schedule used to calculate the level of rental assistance for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher participants, according to a Nov. 30 release. By making adjustments, it would ensure Section 8 participants find a home to rent out in a very competitive rental market. The new payment standard rates will be applied to newly admitted participants and those executing new contracts.
Festive alerts:
The Electric Winter Wonderland in downtown Hagåtña. Skinner Plaza will be decorated with Christmas lights, pixelating trees, holiday arches, and blizzards of snow for the community to enjoy from Dec. 2 to Jan. 8. Organizers will continue adding to the light display leading up to Christmas Day. Special light shows will be featured in 30-minute intervals every Thursday to Sunday from 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. COVID-19 social gathering limits will be enforced and mask-wearing is required. Sponsors include the Office of the Governor, The Guam Museum Foundation, Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam Economic Development Authority, PBS Guam, Port user group members Matson Navigation Co., CTSI Logistics Guam, Cabras Marine Corp., Seabridge Inc., Guam Shipyard, Norton Lily International Inc., and the Bank of Guam, KUAM, Calvo’s Insurance, The Guam Daily Post, K-Stereo; GTA Teleguam, Community Corp., Megamix; GFS Group, Guam Premier Outlets, Coast360 Federal Credit Union, AM Insurance, Black Construction Corp., Cherry Vision, and Hit Radio 100.
Visit the Harvest Baptist Church campus Dec. 3, Dec. 4, Dec. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a Drive-thru Living Nativity and Bethlehem Experience.
The Marianas Visitors Authority is seeking 10 groups to build displays for the Marianas Christmas Village at Garapan Fishing Base; the top three displays will be awarded $2,000. For more information or to register, contact the MVA Community Projects Division at 1-670-664-3200 or [email protected].
Retail alert: DFS holiday offerings will begin at T Galleria in Guam on Dec. 1. Various activities and promotions will occur in-store, to include a DIY DFS bauble kit, and a 360-video photo booth.
