Uighers Press Release

Office of the President

PRESS RELEASE
On the status of the Uighers from the Office of the President, Republic of Palau.
The Capitol, Republic of Palau. The Government of the Republic of Palau stands firm on its commitment to accept the temporary resettlement of the Uighers in Palau from Guantanamo Detention Facility and is presently waiting for the United States Government to advise them on the number and identity of the Uighers who have agreed to be temporarily resettled in Palau and the date of their arrival.

signed
Johnson Toribiong
President

2009 Household Income Census

Attached is a Power Point Presentation of the 2009 Household Income Census.

https://belaublog.wordpress.com/files/2009/09/2009-household-income-census.ppt

Below is the results of the Census

“Table 1. Number of Households by State, Palauans”
State # of Households
Aimeliik 70
Airai 491
Angaur 51
Hatohobei 14
Kayangel 31
Koror ” 2,116 ”
Melekeok 72
Ngaraard 101
Ngardmau 60
Ngatpang 50
Ngchesar 82
Ngerchelong 83
Ngeremlengui 82
Ngiwal 63
Peleliu 143
Sonsorol 19
Total ” 3,528 ”
Source: 2009 Household Income Survey

“Table 2. Average Household size by State, Palauans”
State # of Households
Aimeliik 4.2
Airai 4.0
Angaur 2.9
Hatohobei 1.1
Kayangel 3.0
Koror 4.1
Melekeok 4.2
Ngaraard 4.1
Ngardmau 3.7
Ngatpang 5.0
Ngchesar 3.5
Ngerchelong 3.8
Ngeremlengui 4.1
Ngiwal 4.5
Peleliu 3.4
Sonsorol 2.6
Total 4.0
Source: 2009 Household Income Survey

Taxi Area

As you are well aware, the tourism industry has become known as our “bread and butter industry”. As such, it is the government’s responsibility to take the necessary measures to enhance, develop and improve government services in an effort to assist the private sector in the growth of this industry.

One of the most important sectors of this industry that I feel has been ignored over the years is the taxi service sector. I am informed that efforts by business in this sector have lobbied numerous government officials over the years to no avail for the designation of taxi waiting areas in front of the International Airport in Airai and the Belau National Museum in Ngerbeched, Koror State.

Cancer Awareness Month

Declaring the Month of September
as Cancer Awareness Month

WHEREAS, cancer has become the number one cause of death in the Republic of Palau, and its incidence among Palauans is steadily increasing; and

WHEREAS, such increase in cancer cases in Palau may be directly linked to the changing lifestyles and diets of the people of Palau, including the change from a simple diet of local fish, fruit and vegetables to a more complex diet of imported, processed food; and

Organizing the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health is headed by a Minister. The Ministry shall be responsible for the promotion and protection of the public health through the provision of preventive and curative health services throughout the Republic, through the operation and management of public medical facilities and personnel. The Minister shall provide for the management and administration of technical and support services throughout the Ministry. The Minister shall coordinate the activities of this Ministry with appropriate authorities, boards, commissions and public corporations. The Minister shall be responsible for the performance of the duties and functions of the following offices, bureaus, and divisions.

Organizing the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs

The Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs shall be headed by a Minister. The Ministry shall be responsible for the development and promotion of cultural and historical resources, including museum facilities, the maintenance of the National Archives, the management and development of park and recreational facilities and programs, including the coordination, assistance and support of the Palau National Olympic Committee (“PNOC”), the management and development of social welfare programs, including programs for families, youth, gender equality and senior citizens, and the administration of the Palau Severely Disabled Assistance Fund. The Minister shall coordinate the programs of the Ministry with appropriate authorities, boards and commissions, international conventions and entities and coordinate and cooperate with the Rubekul Belau and Mechesil Belau as appropriate. The Minister shall be responsible for the performance of the duties and functions of the following bureaus, divisions and offices.

Organizing the Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education shall be headed by a Minister. The Ministry shall be responsible for managing, operating, and promoting the public elementary and secondary school system and implementing educational curricula and standards at every public school, and related matters. The Ministry shall be responsible for the performance of the duties and functions of the following bureaus and divisions:

Organizing the Ministry of State

The Ministry of State shall be headed by a Minister. The Ministry shall be responsible for national defense, treaty matters, relations between the national and state governments and relations with other nations, the United Nations, other international organizations, for related matters, and for the Office of the Public Defender. The Minister shall coordinate the activities of the Ministry with appropriate authorities, boards, commissions and public corporations. The Minister shall be responsible for the performance of the duties and functions of the following offices, bureaus and divisions.

Senate Bill No. 8-34, SD5, HD1

Pursuant to the authority vested in me under Article IX, Section 15 of the Constitution of the Republic of Palau, I am referring Senate Bill No. 8-34, SD5, HD1, back to the Eighth Olbiil Era Kelulau for further consideration with the recommendations for amendment set forth below.

Although I am referring this Bill back to the Olbiil Era Kelulau with several observations and recommendations for change, I want to start by saying that the most troublesome provision is Section 13, which authorizes and appropriates funds to pay for the program this Bill creates. As I advised just last week in a letter to the Olbiil Era Kelulau referring back a different bill for further consideration, our local revenues are in a severe downward spiral and are projected to be in that condition for the foreseeable future. Without cutting the budget of an existing government program the Republic does not have the luxury of funding additional programs, especially a program such as that created by this Bill, which to my mind is an unnecessary exercise at times such as this.

Establishing Team Palau Organizing Committee

WHEREAS, on March 2, 2006 “Team Palau Organizing Committee” was established under Presidential Directive No. 06-005 to better prepare Palauan athletes for the 2006 Micronesian Games hosted by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands from June 23-July 4, 2006; and

WHEREAS, the Republic of Palau will host the upcoming 2010 Micronesian Games and that Palau’s best athletes will come together as “Team Palau” to represent our nation at the games; and