Prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would definitely prefer Guam as a destination country once they learn what Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo has to say about working in the United States (US) territory.

Salo, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, recently led a fact-finding mission on the working conditions of OFWs in Guam.

"After our discussions with the officials and inspection of the working and living conditions of our OFWs, we note that Guam provides a safe, fair and satisfactory working environment for our countrymen," he said in a statement following the mission, which took place from Dec. 12 to 14.

"The wages are generous, the accommodations are comfortable, the employers are approachable, and the Guam officials ensure that their employers comply with labor laws and regulations," Salo noted.

The veteran lawmaker thanked Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero for giving the House contingent a warm welcome and providing them with the necessary assistance to ensure the success of the fact-finding mission.

"We are happy that we are able to gather all the necessary information we need that will allow us to make a report that contains specific recommendations either through legislation or improvement of the process of the Executive Branch to allow them to perform their mandates better in promoting the interests of our OFWs, particularly in Guam," Salo said.

Earlier, the Kabayan lawmaker said he had been told that Guam has a backlog of almost 10,000 skilled construction workers.

On food of that, Guam would also need an average of 3,000 skilled construction workers in annual requirement for the next four or five years, Salo said.

He further said that employers in Guam prefer to hire Filipinos.