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Green fee impacts passage of 2012 budget

The green fee continues to impact the movement of the 2012 fiscal year budget that is still pending in the Olbiil Era Kelulau. This past week, the House of Delegates rejected the budget bill from the Senate, which proposes to use the green fee revenue to supplement local revenue for the 2012 fiscal year budget only. According to reports, the bill proposed to use the sum of 1.7 million dollars from the green fee revenues in place of local revenues, but shall be reimbursed. The bill also proposed to increase the green fee from its current 15 dollars per non-Palauan passport holder to 30 dollars. The green fee was originally collected for the purpose of the operations of the Protected Areas Networks, however the bill proposes to use the green fee revenue to fund state block grants and others, which has become an issue for the House of Delegates. Reports indicate that since the bill has been rejected it is now considered a dead bill, which means the President must submit a new budget proposal. However, it has been reported that if the OEK requests the President to submit a new proposal, it will reportedly be the same version as his previous proposal. Conference committee members from both the House and the Senate have been working on the 2012 budget bill for several months and now on its second continuing resolution. There are currently three House conference committee members and a new conference committee Chairman for the Senate following a recent committee reorganization to help move the budget proceedings forward.

Hawthorne technicians testing new generators

Hawthorne CAT technicians are currently on island assisting Palau Public Utilities Corporation in installing, commissioning and testing of the two containerized units in Aimeliik. According to PPUC, the technicians will also be training PPUC personnel in operating and maintaining the new units. The technicians reportedly began testing both units on Thursday January 19th. PPUC also disclosed that all 13.8 KV transformers, which were installed during the power crisis, will be removed before PPUC can begin supplying power to Babeldaob residents using the new generators. The generators are anticipated to go online in the upcoming weeks.

Filipino community concerned over Embassy closure

The Filipino Community in Palau is expressing concerns over the Philippine Government’s decision to close its Embassy in Palau. The members, who are currently collecting signatures to petition the government to maintain the embassy here, has written a letter to the Senate of the Philippines expressing how much the embassy is needed. They stated that when a citizen encounters problems with illegal recruitment, human trafficking or employment abuse, the embassy helps. Earlier reports indicate that the Government of the Philippines decision to close the embassy here in Palau is based on the country’s budget. According to reports, more than a hundred Filipinos have signed the petition to date.

Fuel prices increase

The only two gas station companies in Palau, Blue Bay Petroleum and IP&E have increased fuel prices around the island by 10 cents. For several weeks, maybe even months Palau has had the burden of purchasing unleaded fuel at five dollars a gallon, but as of Friday last week that number has risen to five dollars and ten cents per gallon at some gas stations. Kerosene prices have also increased to a little over 8 dollars per gallon. Diesel fuel is now nearly 6 dollars per gallon. Fuel price increase is not just happening in Palau, but across the Pacific. Here’s a report from the Pacific News Center on the recent gas hike in the Northern Marianas Islands.

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Palauan business woman to attend training in Arizona

Local businesswoman Kiku Brell has been selected to participate in the upcoming Goldman Sachs 10,000 women training program in Glendale, Arizona. The training, which is hosted by Arizona’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, brings women from multiple regions around the world. The training will help the participants develop business plans suitable for presentation to potential investors. The curriculum focuses on practical business application with the goal of facilitating expansion of existing businesses. The participants will also have an opportunity to meet other established entrepreneurs and visit local businesses in Arizona. The two-week training is set for the end of this month.

Judiciary Branch launches new website

The Judiciary Branch of Palau last week launched a new website to improve efficiency and transparency for the public as well as the attorneys. According to the Judiciary, the website was made possible by a stimulus grant from the Republic of China-Taiwan, which was administered through the Office of the President. The website features a trial and hearings calendar as well as links to published cases and notable cases. Other valuable links and information can also be found on the site. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Thursday January 12th to launch the site. Guests included President Toribiong, ROC Ambassador Maggie Tien, the members of the Palau Bar Association and several others. To visit the new website go to www.palausupremecourt.net

Palau makes Top 10 ethical destination list again

For the second year in a round, Palau has made the top ten ethical destinations list on Ethical Traveler. Each year, Ethical Traveler reviews the policies and practices of the world’s developing nations, then selects ten that are doing the best job preserving their environment, promoting human rights and creating a sustainable, community-based tourism industry. Palau first appeared on the Ethical Traveler’s list last year for its lush environment and conservation efforts. This year, Palau was also featured on the list due to its conservation efforts through the Nature Conservancy’s Coral Reef program. This year, three new destinations made the list including Mauritius, a nation that followed Palau’s footsteps in establishing a shark sanctuary. Full details about each of the ten destinations can be found on ethicaltraveler.org.

PICRC celebrates 11th anniversay

Palau International Coral Reef Center held a series of activities to celebrate its 11th anniversary. Aquarium tours were among several activities lined up during the week. Here’s Rolynda with more.

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Eye specialists to visit Palau

The Ministry of Health announced earlier this week that a team of eye specialists will be arriving in Palau in February. According to MOH, patients who wish to visit the specialists must consult with their doctors and set up an appointment. The team will be in Palau seeing patients on February 13-17th. To find out more information call the hospital at 488-2552.

PCS Environmental News

Let’s now go to PCS for this week’s environmental news update.

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Ma re-elected as ROC President

Republic of China-Taiwan’s incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou won the reelection over the past weekend during the country’s general election. President Ma, who is also the Chairman of the ruling Kuomintang or KTM party declared his victory to thousands of supporters where he expressed his gratitude and appreciation. During a large gathering of supporters at KMT’s headquarters Ma stated that the people of Taiwan shows their recognition of KMT’s efforts to shelf disputes with Mainland China and maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait. At a press conference hosted by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, Ma’s rival admitted her failure in the election and announced that she would be resigning as DPP’s Chairwoman. During his first term as President, Ma established cross-straight relations with Mainland China and promised the people of Taiwan to continue maintaining the status quo.

Pacific leaders attends high level meeting in Abu-Dhabi

Leaders from all over the Pacific recently attended a high level meeting on renewable energy organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency in United Arab Emirates. The meeting was held to discuss the acceleration of renewable energy in the Pacific. Ten Pacific Island countries were represented during the meeting including Palau. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants adopted the Abu Dhabi communiqué on accelerating renewable energy uptake for the Pacific Islands. The communiqué recognizes the potential for renewable energy, outlines necessary steps to realize such potential and agrees to work jointly to establish an environment for renewables in the Pacific region.

Yap signs MOU with ETG

Yap State traditional council and the Exhibition & Travel Group, a company based in the People’s Republic of China recently signed a memorandum of understanding to begin investments to the FSM state. During the signing ceremony on January 12th, the Chairman of the Exhibition & Travel group stated that the signing is both historic and special, as it will move the proposed investments forward. Several investments are proposed such as the improvement of the State’s airport. The Chairman also mentioned historical and cultural plans such as building of new villages as well as help develop the state’s health and education. With the MOU in place, the Group will begin the process of opening an office in Yap to oversee each of the projects. Although a MOU has been established between the company and the State of Yap, Governor Anefal stated that Yap and FSM still have many things to consider and undertake before the proposed project could be implemented. Acknowledging the dengue fever outbreak in Yap, ETG Chairman presented a 20,000-dollar check to the State’s Governor to help towards the purchase of medication and others.

Yap Senator receives award from NACDD

The U.S National Association of Chronic Disease Directors or NACDD announced Yap State Senator Jesse Raglmar-Subolmar as this 2011 Legislator of the Year recipient. The legislator of the year award is given to a legislative champion, who has greatly assisted in the advancement of the NACDD’s goals by introducing or supporting legislation that reduce the chronic disease burden. According to NACDD, the award is only given to a deserving member when he or she is identified. There can be more than one recipient in any given year.

Update on dengue fever cases in Yap

Yap continues to see increase in the number of dengue fever cases. The state has been battling with the outbreak that has caused two deaths since September of last year when the first case was reported. To date, the number of confirmed dengue fever cases has reached over 1,100 with no sign of slowing down. About 865 of those cases are found on Yap Island alone with rest reported around outlying islands. The Department of Health continues to encourage people to seek immediate medical attention if they show signs of dengue such high fever, body ache, diarrhea and vomiting.

New President tells Marshall Islands: Face our problems

The people of the Marshall Islands want action to fix the many problems the country is facing, new President Christopher Loeak said in a nationally broadcast speech at his inauguration. In a speech delivered in a low-key but direct manner, the new President listed some of the day-to-day problems that rank and file Marshallese talk about. “I see a woman going to the hospital to get medicine prescribed by her child’s doctor only to be turned away because the pharmacy is out of medication,” Loeak said. “I see at the airport people migrating to urban centers for lack of opportunities in the outer islands and then on to the United States.” He said idle youth — dropouts and pregnant teenagers — are the country’s future. Loeak was elected President by the parliament on January 3. Palau President Johnson Toribiong and Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori attended the ceremony in Majuro, as did representatives of other islands and Interior Department Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta. Loeak said he would not make promises but will “do my best to address the needs of our people.”

United Church of Christ head is honored

Funeral services were initiated for Reverend Jude Samson this past Saturday with a police-led procession from Majuro Hospital to Uliga Protestant Church. A police honor guard saluted outside the church as deacons carried the casket into the church. Samson headed the United Church of Christ for more than 40 years. The UCC was the first Christian church established in the Marshall Islands by Boston-based missionaries in 1857 and remains the largest church in the country. Funeral services continued at the church until Tuesday, as deacon after deacon and pastor after pastor spoke about how Samson mentored them over his many years as President of the United Church of Christ. Former President Kessai Note, Samson’s cousin, was a spokesman for the family during the funeral services. This week, by presidential proclamation, flags were lowered to half-staff to honor Samson. At the beginning of the parliament Tuesday, Speaker Donald Capelle called for a moment of silence for Samson, who was the parliament’s first chaplain up until recently. Samson was buried next to the Protestant Church in Laura village on Thursday afternoon.

World’s smallest frog found in PNG

Louisiana State University scientists have discovered the world’s smallest frog in Papua New Guinea’s forest. The frog, which is smaller than a dime are also believed to be the smallest vertebrates on Earth. Until the discovery of the frog, the world’s smallest has been believed to be Indonesia’s transparent fish, about 8 millimeters in size. The newly discovered frog in PNG is measured at 7.7 millimeters. Chris Austin, scientist who discovered the frog, stated that the species was extremely difficult to find due to its size and the male’s high-pitched call. The frog is believed to have been in existence for a long time underfoot and out of sight in the rainforest.

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