For years, the Mangilao public health facility has sat abandoned, following a reported electrical fire that closed its doors in 2019.

However, those doors opened back up again, but only for a tour with the Oversight Chair On Health, Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane, and fellow senators.

“The facility is in desperate need of renovation,” said Salas Matanane.

During the visit, Matanane noted the dormant building has been the target of thieves.

“You can tell that vandals had gotten inside; they started stripping wires and other sorts of materials,” added Matanane.

Adding to the frustration, the health chair expressed concern over delays in assessing the facility.

“In October of 2024, the Department of Public Works issued a request for proposal for a company or a contractor consultant to conduct an official assessment to determine its structural integrity. I spoke with DPW director Vince Arriola, and they’re currently in contract negotiations to award this contract,” she said.

She adds once this is finalized; the successful contractor will have 210 days to complete the scope of work.

And while there has been previous legislation hoping to address the future of the Mangilao building, Matanane envisions a new purpose: The facility, as well as the Inalåhan and Dededo public health clinics.

“Discussions I’ve had with some of my colleagues and physicians and stakeholders in the community, they would like to see these public health clinics used as primary, urgent care facilities so that it would lessen the load for people that want to go to the Guam Memorial Hospital because if they could get the treatment at these public health clinics, they won’t necessarily have to go to GMH unless it’s absolutely serious,” she added.

Meantime, Senator Tina Muna Barnes, part of the committee on health, also accompanying the chair on the tour of the facility.

She introduced Bill 21, proposing to transfer the Mangilao lot from public health to the Guam Community College for the construction of a nursing annex.

“Not just as a clinic, not just as social services programs, but also an added extension for entities for educational training–not just for nurses but for technicians to radiology to what have you in the medical industry–and I want to say my bill 21-38 so does that,” said Sen. Tina Muna Barnes.

Barnes added she believes GCC has the best record of securing financing to reopen the headquarters with critical DPHSS programs and services included in a new, modern, mixed-use facility.

She hopes to share the effort with a public hearing on the bill.