HAGATNA, Guam -- More than 350 Philippine workers have been approved by the government of Guam to work at projects on the island.

The Pacific Daily News reported Monday that petitions for 355 workers received approval despite the recent removal of the Philippines from the list of countries approved by the US government for new H-2B visas.

The governor's office said four contractor firms were approved for Philippine workers including Core Tech, Nan Inc., J Corp., and Northern Construction.

Officials said Core Tech was allowed to apply for a second project using 258 current H-2B workers, while the other contractors were approved to bring workers from the Philippines.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said contractors should be able to petition for H-2B workers if they are unable to source skilled workers on Guam. (AP)