Your watching the "Weekend Report" for March 06, 2009 (requires Quicktime 7.4)
Below is the text vesion of the weekend report with headlines from around Palau and the Pacific.
NEWS:
President Toribiong announced that he will issue an Executive Order removing the Attorney General's Office under the Ministry of Justice. The new administration will place the AG's office under the Office of the President. The President explained that the purpose of the Attorney General's office is to provide legal advice to all of the ministries and to act as a general legal advisor to the government. The Office of the Special Prosecutor and Ombudsman will continue to remain independent from the government.
The President and his delegation will be meeting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, D.C. The President will ask for her support and effort in expediting the Compact Review process. Without Congressional action, the last US payment under the Compact will end on Sept. 30, 2009.
The President met with Taiwan's new President in his first state visit since his inauguration. The President has extended an invitation to Palau to Taiwan's President.
After his return from Taiwan, President Toribiong, by Executive Order, assembled a special task force this week to investigate the current status of PPUC. Due to rolling-blackouts these past few weeks, President Toribiong has become concerned with the reliability of Palau's electrical power. The task force will be investigating the current status of PPUC's generators in Palau and whether or not the generators need repair, and if so, how soon. The task force has also been asked to investigate whether or not PPUC is charging its customers appropriately and will be determining the status of the loan from Mega International Commercial Bank assigned to replace all current petroleum-based electrical generators. The task force, is chaired by Dr. Patrick Tellei and is required to submit a preliminary report no later than March 11 with a final report to be submitted on March 23 that would include all findings, along with recommendations for action.
The House of Delegates has passed and transmitted a bill which repeals the Foreign Investment Board and amends the requirements for foreigners to do business in Palau. This Bill is now pending before the Palau Senate. It is unknown whether the new Foreign Investment Act will be passed before The Department of Interior's annual Business Opportunities Conference in Hawaii that showcases foreign investment in the Pacific Islands. The Department of Interior has invited Kassi Berg of Roll 'em Productions, to speak to the nearly 1000 expected attendees from across the globe about foreign investment and opportunities in Palau. Ms. Berg has not yet confirmed her attendance.
The House of Delegates and Senate has been conducting joint hearings this week regarding the Fiscal Year 2009 budget. On Thursday, March 4th the House passed the proposed annual budget making several reductions including the appropriation of $500,0000 for the Compact Review fund as they want a projected break down of the use of those funds. The budget bill is now at the Senate.
A casino bill has been introduced to the House and passed first reading. The Bill acknowledges the addiction of gambling and the effect it might have on Palau's citizens, which is why a gambling control commission will be assembled to monitor and control all gambling that takes place. The Bill has been introduced in order to further attract tourists to Palau thus bringing more income to the nation.
OTV offers a sincere congratulations to Franco Gibbons in his election victory for the Koror state legislative seat. He will serve for the next eight months until the next general election.
Associate Judge Foster, in a 22 page decision, found Defendants Seid and Diaz liable for assault and battery at Drop Off Bar and Grill of Plaintiff Olkeriil Ngiralmau. Diaz was ordered to pay a fine for his later defamation on his radio show. The judge found that Diaz should be, quote: "punished for his outrageous conduct" and "deterred from similar conduct in the future."
Vandalism is becoming a big issue in Palau. Just last week, a vehicle parked at the SDA school parking lot was vandalized, but no one has been held in custody. Three students also vandalized the Meyuns bridge and before that, on February 23rd, one of the offices of Maria Stella School was also vandalized. Graffiti is now becoming an eyesore for visitors and has begun to alarm authorities. If you witness someone vandalizing Palau's beauty, please call 911.
The University of Guam and Palau Community College have signed an Inter Institutional Cooperation Agreement for Transfer. This agreement allows students from PCC to transfer to UOG without having to take the General Education courses. Students holding an Associates Degree from PCC will be exempted from taking placement tests for English and Mathematics, provided that they transfer with a grade of C or higher. This is good news for all of Palau's students wishing to gain higher education.
Also along the lines of education, Palau High School held their annual pageant last Saturday with a successful fundraising. This yearly fundraiser is presented by the Student Body Association of Palau High School to generate money for the school. This year the first runner up for the girls division went to Aquilla Smau and Ngerbuns Ngirailemesang for second runner up. In the boys division, Riley Remoket was first runner up and L'amour Arurang in second. The crowning of Mr. And Mrs. PHS were presented to Kyah Remeliik and Jordan Basilius.
Youth Day is on March 15 th so don't forget to watch OTV for Palau's upcoming Youth Day Shows.
The United Nations started off its fifty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women this Monday. The theme was "The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men including care-giving in the context of HIV/AIDS." There will be eight NGO representatives from the Pacific; one of which is Imelda Nakamura who is eager to bring back experiences and lessons learned from the meeting. She has stated, "This is an opportunity for Palau's Voice to be part of an international policy event such as CSW and to network with Pacific sisters and expand our horizons with international counterparts."
The tariff on tuna and tuna species alike has raised concerns with the Philippine fishing companies who are trying to create a joint fishing venture with their Palau counterparts. Palau government and fishing industry leaders visited General Santos City, dubbed as the Tuna capital of the Philippines, to lure fishing companies to do business in Palau. The representative from the Philippines has stated that the export tax of 35 cents per kilo is too high and unless amended by the government, it will be hard for businesses to invest in the tuna rich nation of Palau. Palau however has consistently leaned towards a higher tax as the resources are limited and the quality is excellent.
Earlier this week, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to start off the PNCC Network Improvement Project. Chunghwa Telecom Company of Taiwan has agreed to help PNCC develop and improve Palau's cellular and internet network. In his special remarks, President Toribiong said, "...today is an official beginning of The PNCC Network Improvement Project which had it not been for its partnership with Chunghwa Telecom would not be possible. In addition CHT Chairman and CEO Dr. Lu, commented, "...the project will support PNCC to provide additional quality telecom services for Palau and her tourists and to connect this beautiful paradise country to the world and the Internet in a cost effective way." According to PNCC Board of Directors Chairperson Leilani N. Reklai, "This relationship is a win, win, win partnership. Our countries win, our telecom services are improved and expanded and our people get improved telecom services." The goal is for the cellular network to cover all of Babeldaob and even the rock islands and to increase the internet capacity.
Today, Friday March 6th a handing over ceremony took place at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center. Nishimatsu, the company which paved the road, officially handed over the completed metro road, which runs from Malakal to the intersection leading up to the airport in Airai, back to the Republic of Palau. Many witnessed the landmark occasion on this glorious Friday morning. Heres a look at the event
Another PNCC announcement involves television. If you have not noticed yet, the U.S. Channels are back. Currently ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox are showing in a test mode on PNCC Digital TV as a free preview for all Basic subscribers now through March 31, 2009. In the near future, PBS will also be added. During this testing period for system integration and synchronization of schedules, the public is welcome to watch the shows for free. PNCC will be advising the public when commercial launching of these programs will be available, currently planned for April 2009. There is a one week delay on these Guam based channels. All five U.S. channels will be an additional $5 per month.
In international news National Geographic's hunt for the world's largest fish has led them to Thailand. Where they caught a giant 14 foot long Stingray. Not only that, it was carrying a baby newborn. This giant stingray comes in second in line as the biggest fish, with the first place being a catfish that was caught near the Mekong River.
This Sunday, March 8th 2009 is International Women's Day. This year's theme is "Women and Men United to End Violence against Women and Girls." Countries around the world acknowledge the domestic violence, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and trafficking of women and girls. In the pacific region, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia have organized events to recognize the ongoing challenges that women around the world face. Sharon Sakuma, Palau's country development manager for the UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA office stated that she hopes to see Palau organize an event for next year's International Women's Day.
It seems that Survivor continues to utilize the Pacfic for locations. While French Survivor is shooting here in Palau, Radio New Zealand has reported that the American version of Survivor produced by CBS will be shooting in America Samoa. This will be the seventh location for the U.S. survivor in the Pacific including two series in Palau.
In our strange stories this week
A woman was revived by a three legged dog
A three-legged, tailless pooch named Percy might look like a bedraggled Benji, but he's got the heart of Lassie. The owner, Christina Lowman, 47, credits the small mutt with saving her life after she took a fall on an icy ramp outside her home and was knocked out cold. She's not sure how long she lay outside in the 11-degree weather, but she said she could have died if not for Percy. ''When I woke up, the dog was licking my face,'' Lowman said. ''He brought me to by licking my face and barking.''
Don't forget, tickets are on sale for the voyaging societies fundraiser happening next Wednesday march 11 2008 which is a full moon at Siangel dock from 6:30 to 9:30. Call Jennifer Yano at 488-1088 for information.
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