Pohnpei Catholic faithful celebrated 33rd Diocese Day at COM-FSM Palikir gymnasium

On February 9, the catholic faithful of the Vicariate of Pohnpei and Kosrae in the Diocese of the Caroline Islands gathered with the clergy and lay leaders in the presence of Bishop Amando Samo at the COM-FSM gymnasium to celebrate the 33^rd anniversary of being a diocese in the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church.

The celebration opened with a mass led by the bishop with all the ten parishes taking parts in the liturgical celebration that harmonized biblically rooted prayers and culturally symbolic performances.

The gymnasium was capacity-pact with the parishes, members of the International Catholic Community of Pohnpei and the President and First Lady of the FSM taking part in what may have been the first “massive” Catholic Church gathering in Pohnpei.

The gathering was huge not only in terms of the turnout but also in view of the twenty-three thousand plus dollars ($23,000) that was raised by the faithful of the Vicariate of Pohnpei and Kosrae in support of the various activities, ministries and administrative requirements for the Diocese of the Caroline Islands.

In his homily, Bishop Samo said that the Church in Pohnpei is experiencing the unfolding of God’s grace which moves the faithful to respond in many ways, including coming out to this year’s celebration. The Vicariate, in union with others in Micronesia, has responded to this “unfolding” all the time.

The mass was followed by singing and various other expressions of faith and celebration, including a “tochap” (group giving of money in a cultural way) initiated by the Chuukese and Yapese members of the International Group.

Fr. Julio Angkel, Vicar of Pohnpei and Kosrae, thanked the parishes for their generous efforts which has resulted in an unprecedented fundraising exercise by the vicariate that would support the Bishop and the Diocese.

Also present at the celebration were Fr. Dave Anthrus S.J. and Kenneth Urmolog S.J., two remaining Jesuit priests who assist Fr. Angkel in ministering to the Catholic Church in the Vicariate of Pohnpei and Kosrae.

Bishop Samo will return to Chuuk on February 12.

Secretary Ikosia instructed to rescind per diem and car rental rate increase directive

FSMIS (February 11, 2013): On February 7, President Manny Mori instructed Secretary of Finance and Administration, Mr. Kensley Ikosia, to rescind his January 22 directive to the departments and offices in which the Secretary indicated per diem and car rental rate increase in the FSM, Pacific island countries, North American cities and Asian countries, which would become effective on October 1, 2013.

President Mori issued his instruction to the Secretary through which he indicated that any step toward increasing government expenditure must be based on “essential need and a careful assessment of priority expenditure”.

 

“I would need a careful analysis and assessment be made in light of our budgetary constraints and how this increase would impact or effect our efforts and policies to contain and maintain costs only for government essential services”, the President further stressed.

 

Secretary Ikosia was on official travel from January 26 to February 9.

President Mori endorses Kosrae’s wave power plant with caution

FSMIS (February 7, 2013): In a recent letter to Governor Lyndon H. Jackson of Kosrae State, President Mori indicated his support of Kosrae Utility Authority’s (KUA) proposed 1.5 megawatt wave power plant and congratulated KUA for its “innovative approach to renewable energy production”.

“I understand that wave energy production is a novelty and still in its development stage. It is yet to be proven as a commercially viable technology for commercial purposes. In view of this, I would recommend caution and careful analysis to ensure success”, wrote the President on January 29.

The FSM Department of Resources and Development had been directed to work with KUA and the State of Kosrae on further matters relating to the alternative source of energy generation as proposed.

Procurement of vehicle in FSM National Government FY 2014 budget not permitted

FSMIS (February 7, 2013): President Manny Mori has stated his direction on purchase of vehicle for all departments, offices and agencies of the FSM National Government during fiscal year 2014.

 

“The National Government has more than one hundred vehicles in its pool. As such, no vehicles will be purchased during the budget cycle of 2014”, the President instructed a February 6 memorandum.

 

The President also asked that an inventory listing of computers and cell phones be turned in to the Executive Budget Review Committee (EBRC) during its review.

 

The departments, offices and agencies were asked to submit their proposed FY2014 budget by January 31.

 

After the submission of proposed budgets, the EBRC will then proceed with the review of requests and make its recommendation to the President who is mandated to submit the consolidated budget request to Congress by April 1.  

The Budget Office within the Office of SBOC under Director Evelyn Adolph serves as the secretariat for the EBRC during its operation.

For further information, fsmpio@mail.fm or markapito@gmail.com.

FSM Post Office had groundbreaking for new site in Kosrae

FSMIS (February 6, 2013): On January 31, the FSM Postal Services held a groundbreaking ceremony in Tofol, Kosrae State, marking the future post office location in the famed island of “the Sleeping Lady”.

Currently, the post office conducts operations on a property whose lease is set to expire by October of this year.  

The FSM Post Master General, Mrs. Ginger Porter Mida, now anticipates timely bidding and awarding of contracts by the FSM Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure for the construction to begin soon.

During the ceremony, Governor Lyndon H. Jackson expressed support for the project, noting its vital services to the people of Kosrae. He said his administration would stand ready to assist to the extent possible. He also spoke of his belief that the people of Kosrae would “be happy” to see the new site under construction.   

FSM Congressman Paliknoa K. Welly echoed expressions of support to the FSM Postal Services, calling the project one that “moves our nation forward”. He encouraged interaction with Congress if additional assistance would be required to complete the project.

Mrs. Mida highlighted the challenges postal services in the islands face with the spread of the internet and its instant message-delivery capabilities. However, she stressed that other vital delivery services, through which essential items are sent into the FSM, cannot be replaced by the internet.

The ceremony was attended by Governor Jackson and the First Lady; Lt. Governor Carson K. Sigrah and Mrs. Sigrah; Speaker Gibson Siba and other Members of the Kosrae State Legislature; Congressman Welly, two-year term representative to the FSM Congress; Reverend Henry Noda, who did the invocation; Kosrae State Post Master Marris Jackson; other staff of the state government, other supporters and a choir from Tafunsak who sang beautifully for the occasion.  

The groundbreaking was preceded by courtesy visits to the Governor, the Speaker of the Legislature and other preparatory meetings with the Governor’s Chief of Staff Ms. Sweet Yona Tulensru beginning on January 27.

FSM Comprehensive Cancer Control and Prevention Plan rolls out at Cancer Day celebration

The FSM National Cancer Coalition rolled out the updated five year plan for the year 2013 to 2018 during the Cancer Day commemoration in Palikir on February 4.

The activity took place on a basketball court behind the Transnational Crime Unit facility at the FSM National Government compound.

According to Mr. X-ner Luther, National Comprehensive Cancer Control and Prevention (NCCCP) Program coordinator, the cancer program was put in place in 2005. Cancer coalitions were formed in each of the 5 jurisdictions (National and the 4 states), which subsequently developed cancer control and prevention plans. In 2007, the plans came into effect with the jurisdictions implementing their own plans separately. With the updated plan, the five separate plans are now integrated with each jurisdiction carrying out their specific activities. The national specific activities include the coordination and monitoring of program activities, setting standards, and performance evaluation. Although the state cancer coalition groups manage their own affairs separately, the plan links concerted efforts by all players in a networking arrangement to strengthen impacts. This is done through the Cancer Control Steering Committee. 

The renewed plan was endorsed by President Mori the morning of February 4 and will be available to the public when printing packaging is completed.

Activities for the day under the theme “Increasing Knowledge and Dismissing Misconceptions about Cancer” included a survey or participants’ general knowledge of cancer in the FSM, showcasing of healthy nutritious snacks, basic aerobic exercise demo and a fun walk around the compound.

The event was attended by the chairman of the National Cancer Coalition, Mr. Waguk, Acting Chief of National Police Mr. Johnny Santos, Dr. Mayleen Ekiek and Mr. Kippier Lippwe, Non-Communicable Disease Program Coordinator who spoke on behalf of Secretary Vita A. Skilling. Several staff from the various departments and offices at the National Government took part in all the events.

Inquiries about and request for the plan should be directed to Mr. Luther at XLuther@fsmhealth.fm.

First Meeting of the Chuuk Advisory Group on Education

Weno, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia—February 1, 2013—The Chuuk Advisory Group on Education held its first set of meetings in Weno, Chuuk this week (January 28^th through February 1^st).  The meetings mark a new phase in the effort by Chuuk leaders to reform education in Chuuk State with the assistance of its National Government and United States partners.  The creation of the Advisory Group was established at the recent High Level meetings held during the first week of November 2012 with representatives and staff from the FSM National Government, the U.S. Government and the Chuuk State Government. 

Members of the advisory Group include three very eminent friends of Chuuk State, including Thomas Bussanich, the Director of the Division of Budget and Grants Management in the Office of Insular Affairs within the United States Department of Interior; Patrick Tellei, the President of the Palau Community College; and Francis X. Hezel, a Jesuit Priest and the founder of the Micronesian Seminar.

The purpose of the Advisory Group is to serve these three primary partners in enhancing and accelerating the implementation of the education reform in Chuuk.  Within this broad scope, the Advisory Group is intended to serve as an adjunct to the Chuuk Board of Education, to provide progress monitoring and guidance on the Chuuk Reform, to recommend modifications and additions to the reform program and to report to all relevant parties on the progress of the reform.

During their stay in Weno, the Advisory Group met with the Governor, the Chuuk Legislature, the Board of Education and the Director of Education and staff on multiple occasions.  During those meetings, Tom Bussanich repeatedly indicated that “their primary and overriding goals for education in Chuuk are that students have safe and sanitary living environments, that classrooms must have qualified teachers, that classrooms have the necessary school supplies that principals, teachers and students be present for class, and that learning must take place.” 

In their meetings, the Advisory Group confirmed their support for the Ten High Level Commitments established at the High Level Event in November and stressed that, within the scope of these commitments, they would like to see reform efforts focus on: the development of a personnel contract system for teachers, principals, and others as deemed appropriate to ensure  the attendance and performance of education personnel and  students; the support of the Chuuk High School Pilot Project aimed at establishing a model for other High School reform in the future; the immediate implementation of the Chuuk State School Facility Repair and Construction Master Plan in order to begin a stepped improvement of school facilities in Chuuk; the immediate implantation of the primary and secondary school consolidation plans; and the development of a new procurement policy/process/distribution system that will improve the distribution of supplies to all schools. 

Father Fran Hezel indicated that “overriding all of these specific plans and proposals is a desire for Chuuk communities to take ownership of both the reform and the schools in their communities.”  Advisory Group member Patrick added that “for this entire process to work, all parties to the reform must be willing to look outside the box and to find examples of past and current successes and to multiply upon them where possible.” 

The Advisory Group will meet again in early May to continue to assist the Board of Education and the Department of Education in its efforts to successfully reform Chuuk’s education system.

The Group is scheduled to meet every quarter to move this effort forward.  According to Tom Bussanich, “what we want to see are not quick fixes, but strong foundational improvements in Chuuk’s Educational system that will continue long after the Advisory Group disappears.”

 

Note: This piece was received from Mr. Ryan Edgar, Eduction Specialist/Grant Manager, Office Of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior 

Chief of Staff Edward resigns: President Mori looks ahead to "challenging ventures"

FSMIS February 1, 2013: Today, Mr. Churchill Edward officially resigns from being the Chief of Staff for President Manny Mori.

Mr. Edward started his post at the President's Office right after Christmas 2012.

At a farewell lunch today, President Mori thanked Mr. Edward in front of many cabinet members for his service the past year.

Mr. Edward said that he wanted to move on to concentrate on his ventures in the private sector and told everyone that he had put in his best as the chief of staff.

In talking about the President, he said, "I admire the man for his vision and endeavors in moving us forward".

He also encouraged the cabinet members to move forward without looking to get the benefits of their hard works.

"Maybe our children or the generations to come will be blessed by the President's vision and all of us who have contributed to this, whether we are in government or the private sector", he said at the end of his thank-you remarks.

In his letter to Mr. Edward, President Mori said, "In about two years from now, I will follow your steps, leave this office and seek for other challenging ventures either in the private sector or back into the public sector but the latter  is unlikely given that I have passed the retirement age. In whatever you and I plan on doing in the future, God will be our sole guidance".

Sentencing training for judges and probation officers held in Yap

Participants: l to r, front: Hon. Carl-Worswick, Hon. Samuel, Hon. Carl, Hon Aliksa, Hon Noket, Hon. Plasman, Hon. Yinug, Hon Rodriguez, Hon. Zakios, Hon. Kenbaroy, Hon. Mugunbey Back: Mr. Keller, Mr. Esau, Mr. Hellan, Hon. Paul, Ms. Albert, Mr. Elias, Hon. Kabua, Mr. Kennufmed, KC, Hon. Johnny, Mr. Marbey, Mr. Bailey.

FSM Supreme Court, Palikir, Pohnpei: On January 23 to January 26, 2013 a Sentencing Training was held in Colonia, Yap for judges and probation officers of the national, state and district courts of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).

The training was sponsored by the Pacific Judicial Development Programme (PJDP) with funding assistance from the New Zealand MFAT and management oversight by the Federal Court of Australia.

This training was the first of its kind to be held in the FSM.  Usually judges and probation officer have separate trainings. Though the training was basically focused on sentencing in criminal cases, other topics related to the process during pre-conviction and post-conviction were covered such as pre-trial release, pre-sentence reporting, revocation of probation, and methods of effective monitoring of probationers, etc.

The training was a joint effort agreed to between Chief Justice Hon.Martin G. Yinug of the FSM and Chief Justice Hon. Carl B. Ingram of the RMI under the PJDP responsive fund programme. The implementation of the activity was made possible through efficient and effective management oversight and guidance provided by the PJDP Contracts Manager, Ms. Helen Burrows and her able subordinates at the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney, most especially Ms. Krystle Praestiin. The PJDP certified regional trainer and FSM National Training Coordinator, Mr. Kapilly Capelle coordinated the planning, design and delivery of the program in-country. The facilitators (trainers) for the training were Hon. James H. Plasman of the High Court of the RMI, Hon. Nickontro W. Johnny of Pohnpei Supreme Court, Chief Clerk of the FSM Supreme Court Mr. Kohsak Keller and FSM Supreme Court General Counsel Mr. Samuel Bailey, Esq., as training contents advisor.

Based on the participants’ evaluation, the overall training was rated above “very good”. By unanimous consensus the participants claimed that the contents were very relevant, most helpful, very interesting and allowed for a greater understanding of their roles. Everybody came away with positive views on the subject matter (contents), program delivery and the facilitators. By such measures, it is safe to say that the program was a great success for FSM and RMI judiciaries as well as for PJDP as a sponsor.

The following participants were awarded certificates of attendance and completion:

FSM Supreme Court

Hon. Beauleen Carl Worswick, Associate Justice

Mr. Belan Yoma, FSM Supreme Court, Chief Ombudsman

Leo Kennufmed Gorongfel, FSM Supreme Court, Ombudsman

 

Pohnpei State Court

Hon. Benjamin Rodriguez, Chief Justice

Hon. Yoster Carl, Associate Judge

Kiomy Albert Kilmete, Chief Probation Officer

 

Kosrae State Court

Hon. Aliksa Aliksa, Chief Justice

Burt Esau, Court Marshall

 

Chuuk State Court

Hon. Camillo Noket, Chief Justice

Hon. Repeat Samuel, Associate Judge

Mr. Alex Elias, Chief Probation Officer

 

Yap State Court

Hon. Cyprian Mugunbey, Associate Judge

Hon. Lawrence Kenbaroy, Associate Judge

Jeffrey Marbey, Chief Probation Officer

 

Republic of the Marshall Islands

Hon. Jimata Kabua, Presiding Judge, RMI District Court (RMIDC)

Hon. Milton Zakios, Associate Judge, RMIDC

Hon. Ablos Tarry Paul, Associate Judge, RMIDC

President Mori receives Ambassador Small from Canada

FSMIS February 1, 2013: On January 29, President Manny Mori accepted credentials from the new Ambassador of Canada to the FSM.

Canadian Ambassador Michael Small arrived Pohnpei on January 28 and presented his credentials the morning of the 29^th at the President’s Conference Room in Palikir.

At the ceremony, President Mori welcomed Ambassador Small and conveyed his appreciation for Canada’s support on environment and climate change issues at other high level meetings. He also spoke of the FSM’s priorities in the sectors of fisheries, agriculture, tourism and energy for which the FSM has been soliciting strong support from its development partners to accelerate economic growth and sustainability. The President praised Canada’s ability in maintaining access to its remote areas, its fisheries ventures in parts like Vancouver, as well as its medicine production industry that has attracted other countries.

Ambassador Small thanked the President for receiving him warmly and spoke in appreciation of the cooperative and friendly FSM-Canada relations since the establishment of friendship on March 3, 1998. He said that Canada and FSM are both Pacific countries with common interests in spite of the relative distance compared to other partners. He expressed interest in learning that a significant number of Micronesians reside at parts of the United States that share borders with Canada. The Ambassador also pointed out that Canada is a Member of the Post Forum Dialogue (PFD) at the Pacific Island Forum since its beginning. His father had attended the forum as a member of Canada’s delegation at the PFD at one time in the early 80’s.

The Ambassador is scheduled to leave Pohnpei on February 2. He had lined up several calls and visits over the next few days with most of the resident Ambassadors, departments at the National Government, The National Oceanic Resources Management Authority, the Pohnpei State Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture, as well as NGO’s such as the Nature Conservancy, the Micronesia Conservation Trust, Micronesian Red Cross Society, the Island Food Community of Pohnpei and others.

The presentation of credentials was attended by Secretary Lorin S. Robert, Deputy Secretary Samson Pretrick, Chief of Staff Churchill Edward and a number of staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs.  

Ambassador Small is cross-accredited out of Canberra, Australia, with a number of Pacific Island Countries including the Marshall Islands, Palau, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The visit was his first to the FSM.

From left: President Manny Mori and Ambassador Michael Small