For Guam roofing company, venture into NMI provides meaningful work

Murphy Enterprises Inc., a roof remodeling and repair company out of Guam, is looking to provide a steady flow of materials and services to Saipan after devastating Typhoon Soudelor hit over three weeks ago, bringing with them two Saipan sons eager to help restore the island to the place it once was.

These two Saipan sons are Tony Aguon and Ignacio Aldan. They graduated from Kagman High School about five years ago and moved to Guam where they found work with Murphy Enterprises.

Murphy Enterprises Inc. has arrived on Saipan to assist with needed roof repairs on island after the destruction of Typhoon Soudelor. (Dennis B. Chan)

“We saw the news and how bad it was and they said ‘Boss, we want to help,’” Murphy said, referring to Aguon and Aldan.

The three arrived on Saipan three days after Typhoon Soudelor hit.

When Saipan Tribune interviewed them on Monday, they had just finished work on emergency re-roofing repairs on Atkins Kroll.

Murphy Enterprises Inc. specializes in steel roof and remodeling.

Aguon, who has worked for Murphy since 2014, said he didn’t know he would be returning home.

“I was shocked,” Aguon said when he saw the storm’s damage. “I didn’t expect it to be like this. I was hurt too. I have sisters and brothers here.”

Since his return, Aguon said they have repaired and replaced a lot of damaged roofs.

“We are working everyday,” he said. “I feel happy to be back on the island to help. This is my place. I’m willing to help.”

Ignacio Aldan, who has not been back to the island for five years, feels the same way. He said he is “trying to make the island beautiful again.”

When asked to describe the thoughts he had upon returning home, he said, “I don’t know what to say—it was sad.”

Meaningful work

Murphy Enterprises hopes to bring a constant flow of materials, communication, and construction services between its Saipan and Guam locations to help Saipan improve daily life and establish normalcy.

Murphy says he has been working closely with insurance adjustors at Century Insurance, putting out proposals and putting these into people’s hands.

Murphy says the damage was worse than he thought, noting damage to supposedly typhoon-proof “roll-up doors” around the island.

“We get them from Australia and they are designed to withstand 175-mile hour winds. They’re stamped by an engineer. There’s a special typhoon track, a steel track that get’s encased in—so when the door’s down the chance of it blowing away are very, very minimal.”

But when debris hits or penetrates a building, Murphy said, whether it be tin or a piece of wood, the roll-up door “starts to unravel.”

“That’s what I’ve seen,” he said, noting damage around the airport, port, and Lower Base areas.

Murphy said he is looking to provide services and help people by doing surveys and damage estimates for them.

“I’m giving a line-item breakdown. I try to give it to them in something simple and easy to read. Take photos with it. I cut and paste descriptions of what the photo is about,” he said.

Murphy says he plans to be here for at least a year.

“But we’ll have a permanent base here, from now on,” he added. “I personally will be here at least a year, going back and forth to Guam.”

More information about Murphy and his work can be found at murphyenterprises.net

They have recently added a “Saipan” section to their website. Murphy can be reached at 484-7646.