Your watching the "Weekend Report" for April 17, 2009 (requires Quicktime 7.4)
Below is the text vesion of the weekend report with headlines from around Palau and the Pacific.
NEWS:
Despite assurances of 24-hour-power last week, rolling black outs will continue in Palau for at least two more weeks. On Thursday, PPUC disclosed that the total capacity of all running generators is still short by almost 2 Megawatts. OTV News attended a tour held by newly hired PPUC General Manager Ken Uyehara where staff updated media on the conditions of the power engines.
Mr. Uyehara than explained during a press conference, what measures PPUC is taking to rectify the situation...
President Toribiong also announced the nomination of Dr. Victor Yano to PPUC's Board of Directors. This marks the President's second nomination this week with Surangel Whipps Senior being the first. President Toribiong feels that both men have demonstrated the ability and character that PPUC needs.
DOI CONSULTANT SAYS POWER OUTAGES "AVOIDABLE"
In more PPUC news, an independent review conducted by the US Department of Interiors stated that the current power crisis was avoidable. The review commissioned by the President and performed by DOI Consultant Robert Nelson states that the simultaneous breakdown of multiple generators would have been avoided if the proper preventive maintenance had been performed and timely repairs had been made. The review also states that not more than one of the six large engines should be taken out of service at any one time. Currently, only three small units out of eight engines are operational at the Malakal Plant while 3 out of the 4 units are operating at the Aimeliik Plant.
Consultant Nelson in his report wrote, "There is a failure to recognize the seriousness of a failed piece of equipment and to quickly work to resolve the the problems before they lead to a complete engine breakdown." Nelson went on to recommend that PPUC invest in training personnel who are responsible for identifying and replacing parts and hire a contract diesel plant operation maintenance supervisor. The report also suggests PPUC purchase two 2 megawatt generators and that is should also begin the process of purchasing a larger and more efficient baseload generator to meet Palau's power requirements.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE OFFERS TAX AMNESTY
The Ministry of Finance announced a new program this week that should provide relief to delinquent tax payers. In a press release, Vice President and Minister of Finance Kerai Mariur said that beginning April 20th, taxpayers can apply for the 2009 Tax Amnesty Program. Eligible Palau taxpayers who were either behind and/or owed taxes prior to December 31st, 2008 may benefit from the Ministers ability to compromise claims, interest and penalties. The program expires August 20th, 2009 and effective August 21st, taxpayers who have failed to file a tax return, failed to pay taxes due and owing, or have failed to make arrangements satisfactory with the Ministry of Finance will have their business license suspended and will be assessed all applicable interest and penalties permitted under law.
This coming Tuesday April 21st, OTV will present a special edition of Chised featuring Ministry of Finance Tax Director, Adair Sumang discussing the details of the 2009 Tax Amnesty Program. Make sure to tune and call with any of your tax questions.
SONSOROL RESCUE
Due to the failure of the Southwest Island Ferry called the Atoll Way, some 18 members of the Palau conseration society were stuck in the island of Sonsorol since the 2nd of April 2009. These PCS members were conducting a rat eradication program in Fanna which is the neighboring island of Sonsorol as rats were becoming a big proble in the Southwest Islands. PCS chairman, Maura Gordon, requested the National Government to commission the Eco Explorer, one of Palau's Live-aboard ships to aid in the rescue of the stranded PCS members. The ship left around 4 in the afternoon friday, and returned Wednesday morning.
PCS was able to complete it's rat eradication program in Fanna and hopes to duplicate it's efforts in Kayangel in the future.
SAM MASONG ASKS SP TO INVESTIGATE PNCC CONTRACT WITH CHUNG HWA TELECOM
Sam Masang has asked the special prosecutor to investigate the contract between PNCC and Chung Hwa Telecom. In his request, the owner of Palau Communications and Electronis stated that Chung Hwa Telecom is making an investment in Palau and should obtain a foreign Investment Certificate. Mr. Masang also raised concerns that Chung Hwa will not have to pay taxes under PNCC and that any changes in rates requires board approval after a public hearing. Since entering into a contract with Chung Hwa, PNCC has offered lower rates and faster speeds on internet connections. Palau communications and electronics also offers internet services.
TOURISM IS DOWN
According to recent statistics from The Palau Visitors Authority, tourist arrival is down by 11.86 percent. During the month of March, 7,148 visitors came to Palau compared to 7,500 from last year. February saw a decline from 8,726 in 2008 to 6,964 this year and 8,467 in January 2008 to 7,656.
PALAU WINS 2ND PLACE IN JAPAN DIVING FAIR
In what could be a sign of good news for tourism in the future, Palau was judged second place as best Diving Area and Best Dreaming area at the 2009 Marine Diving Fair in Japan. First place was awarded to the Maldives. Palau Pacific Resort won first place as Best Diving Resort, Overseas for the ninth year in a row. Palau Sport also recieved top honors for nine years running in the Best live-aboard categor.Palau Visitor's Authority Marketing and Research Manager Yumie Morishita said that 51,825 people came to the annual event held in Tokyo despite the economic recession.
TSA SLAMMED FOR ISLANDS RULE
With Pacific Island economy already suffering, the US Transportation Security Administration has drawn fire from local exporters's for their stricter regulations on the import of products from the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.
A new TSA regulation that took effect on March 1 requires all products imported from Palau, the FSM, and the Marshalls must be shipped through cargo agents, freight forwarders, consolidators or approved agents.
As a result, exporters like Lawrend Techur of Barrigada Heights in Guam have seen delays of up to 19 days for shipments of fresh fish, taro, betel nut and other items from Palau.
Companies had previously relied on airlines to bring their items in via cargo shipments, but Techur says TSA stopped that, citing security concerns.
Techur feels that quote, "Yes, security's important, but if you're gonna kill or break our economy, we're still gonna die."
Techur adds, "I think TSA (locally) has a responsibility to protect the economy on the island. They also have a responsibility to educate the main office about these islands and the territories."
KUAM News out of Guam attempted to get a copy of the TSA regulation but after several referrals, eventually received a link to the TSA web site that outlines the agency's efforts to strengthen security in air cargo through the 9/11 bill. Guam's governor's office is also attempting to get clarification on the reason for TSA's implementation of the regulation.
TRANSPORT OF TOXIC FUELS THROUGH PALAU WATERS (Mike)
The international environmental activist group known as Greenpeace has urged the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines to prevent the passage of a dangerous toxic fuel shipment scheduled to pass through Philippines and Palauan waters this April. The shipment from France going to Japan contains about 1.8 tons of Mixed Oxide Fuel or MOX that is used for nuclear power plants. Toxic campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Beau Baconguis claims that the amount of toxic fuel is eqivalent to "225 nuclear weapons." Baconguis adds, "The transport of nuclear materials is already dangerous because there is still no way or system to clean up the mess if in any case something happens to this ship. The ship's route is highly pirated and this is attractive to terrorists who can highjack this ship." International law expert Harry Roque said that the shipment goes against the international law and the French shipping company is denying responsibility for radioactive damages and risks. Both Roque and Baconguis stressed a moratorium on all shipments of nuclear fuel and nuclear waste and urged Palau to take action against the shipment. "We're hopeful that Palau will also act on this because they're currently enforcing nuclear-free policy and have good relations with the Greenpeace," says Roque. The toxic fuel shipment left France March 5th and is expected to pass through Philippines and Palauan waters before it reaches Japan mid-May.
MOH RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION
Ngara Meliduil Club made a $3,000 donation to the Ministry of Health's Medical Referral Program. The donation is for new appliances for the Manila Medical Referral Office and house. Dr. Gregory Dever took time to note that Palau is one of few places that practices referring patients to hospitals abroad and that it's fortunate that Continental Micronesia has been supportive since the programs inception.
PALAU'S FIRST ARCHEOLOGIST PASSES AWAY (Jeff)
Palau's first Archeologist Rita Olsudong has passed away. She became the National Archaeologist for the Bureau of Arts and Culture in 1997 after receiving certification from the United States National Park Service. She received her Masters in Archaeology from LaTrobe University in Australia and was a driving force in the discovery and preservation of Palaus history and culture. She is survived by her husband Calvin Emesiochel, Son Branson Ngiratong and daughter DiReng Emesiochel. We will miss you Rita Olsudong.
PALAU LIBRARY BOOK SALE (JEFF)
The Palau Association of Libraries' (PAL) Annual Library Week Book Sale is this Saturday, April 18th from 8 am to noon at the PCC Parking Lot. Over the past few weeks, PAL has received hundreds of donated books for the Book Sale. As a result, there are
books for all age ranges and reading interests. All proceeds from the PAL Library Week Book Sale go directly to the support of the libraries of Palau. If you have any books you would like to donate for the sale, please drop them off at any library or call 488-3540 and a PAL member will stop by to pick them up, or you can just bring them to the Book Sale on Saturday. PAL is a registered non-profit organization, so all donations are tax deductible. If you'd like to know more about PAL and the
libraries of Palau, check out www.palaulibraries.weekly.com.
PRESIDENT MAKES STATE VISIT TO JAPAN
April 21st marked President Toribiong's first state visit to Japan. This is all upon the invitation of the Japan Government. The President will have a chance to speak with the Emperor and Prime Minister of Japan. He will also be speaking with the Minister of Health, Labor, and Welafare, Yoichi Masuzoe, to discuss about the remains of the fallen Japanese soldiers in Palau.
AMBASSADOR OF PALAU SPEAKS AT NYU
This past Thursday, Stuart Beck, Palau's Ambassador to the United Nations, spoke to New York University Law students about climate justice in relation to small island developing states. Ambassador Beck also discussed Climate Reform under the Copenhagen Protocol to be negotiated at the UN's Climate Change Conference this coming December. Mr. Beck was invited to speak as part of NYU's Earth Week 2009, a month long celebration of NYU's commitment to sustainability.
TURTLE SHELL BRAS MAKE DEBUT
In the world of fashion, Palau has taken a liking to fashionable baby shower attire. A new line of bra's for the local baby shower have humbly earned the name, "tra's". The turtle shell bra's are crafted by Mathias Ramarui and Ciano Watanabe while the elegant design was the creation of Nen and Yuki.
NBL DIVISION 1 & 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Switching to Sports, NBL Division 2 has crowned their new division champs with the Division 1 champ to be determined Saturday. The Division 2 Champion Kabong beat out runner ups the DMC Jaguars with a score of 78-67. The game was close throughout until late in the fourth quarter Kabong began to pull away behind MVP John Boy who finished with 15 points. Now Kabong enters into next round of the playoffs with a chance to become the overall NBL Champions.
The NBL Division 1 championship game will be played Saturday between Peched and the Styxers. The Styxers beat out the Rivals on a stunning last second 3 pointer from Tark to advance while Peched won out in a close defensive battle over the Islanders, 47-46.
Tune into OTV this Monday night for the replay of the Division I Championship.
PALAUAN TAKES DOWN SHOPLIFTER
In other news, a Palauan staying in the US and working at a strore ended up fighting with a man who was trying to steal. Tester Yalap, who is the store manager for CVS at Arlington, Virginia, tried stopping 2 people from stealing before leaving the store. Here is a little clip of what happened...
The person was eventually taken to custody.Tester Yalap was very courageous, but also very lucky that the theif was not carrying any weapons.
PIRATE ATTACKS CONTINUE
Somali pirates have been relentless in their attacks giving a count of about 10 hijacked ships in total since the beginning of this month. Their doubled attacks have come after U.S sharpshooters rescued Richard Phillips, who is the captain of an American cargo ship by killing three Somali pirates. Phillips, the rescued captain returned to home on Wednesday after meeting with his 19- man crew in the port of Mombasa, Kenya. The Somali pirates' defiant attacks show that they will not be intimidated by US president Obama's pledge to confront the high-seas bandits. They also vowed to avenge their fallen comrades killed by U.S and French forces during hostage rescues. Admiral Michael Mullen, a top officer in the U.S military said that the pirates threats are to be taken seriously, but "we are very well prepared to deal with anything like that. "
Since the beginning of February, the pirates have attacked 78 ships, hijacked 19 of them and hold 16 vessels with at least 300 hostages from different countries which they can extort 1 million dollars for each ship and crew. Kenya reports an estimated 150 million dollars lost last year. Warships from different countries have been patrolling the Gulf of Aden and nearby Indian waters and have halted several attacks, but due to the vast area, they cannot stop all hijackings.
STRANGE STORY OF THE WEEK
TAIWAN police have arrested a 55-year-old man for lobbing bank notes worth about T$1 million ($41,000) from vehicles, causing disorder in the streets.
The man tossed the bills from a taxi in a crowded part of the city yesetrday as people stopped to pick up the cash.
The man also burned about T$400,000 ($16,500) and had two more sacks of cash, apparently the proceeds of a property sale.
The suspect would be charged with public endangerment and destruction of currency, said Taiwanese police.
Some progress was made when problems with the mainline from Aimeliik were corrected this past Sunday. Guam Power Authority helped to identify the issue as a problem with a "burn out" in the termination point connecting the overhead line to the submarine cables.
But the largest contributers to the power deficit are the two downed baseload generators at the Malakal Power Plant. Compounding the problem are the parts needed to repair the broken generators are manufactured in Australia and shipping will take at least 45 days. The Office of the President is seeking help from the United States Airforce to possibly airlift the parts here sooner. President Toribiong also stated that the Japan-Palau International Friendship Association has offered assistance in helping end the power crisis. President Toribiong said he will address the issue on his state visit to Japan later this month.
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