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Fiscal Year 2015 Supplemental Budget Authorization and Appropriation Act, RPPL 9-44 2015

REPUBLIC OF PALAU
Office of the President

April 23, 2015
Serial No. 15-2084

The Honorable Camsek E. Chin
Senate President
Ninth Olbiil Era Kelulau
P. O. Box 8
Koror, Republic of Palau 96940

Subject: Senate Bill No.9-150, SD6, HD3, PD1

Dear Senate President Chin:

I would first like to thank the Olbiil Era Kelulau for your timely action to include a contribution in the supplemental budget to help our friends and neighbors in the South Pacific and here in Micronesia in their recovery efforts from the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam and Typhoon Maysak. As you know, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia was here as our guest for the visit of Japan's Imperial Family and your quick action enabled us to directly present their share of the contribution and show our concern and willingness to help in their time of need. I take this opportunity as well to thank the OEK for your support of the visit by Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, to mark the 701J1 anniversary of the end of the battle for Peleliu. Your support of additional funding helped ensure the success of this historic occasion and further strengthened our friendship and relationship with the People and Government of Japan.

Having said that, I am encouraged to see that the OEK acted favorably on the concerns that were raised in my referral of the supplemental budget regarding the appropriation for waterline installations in certain states, waiver of procurement of associated projects and forgiveness of past due utility billings including the balance of interest payments due to the Civil Service Pension Plan (CSPP). We fully support water project initiatives at the state level that promote economic growth and sustainable development. Such projects are in line with our ongoing efforts to develop visitor attractions sites, recreational parks, aquaculture and livestock production that are all aimed at expanding economic activity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods and food security at the community level.

However, while understanding emergency situations, it is important that projects such as the waterlines planned are undertaken through proper planning frameworks. We must be able to start and complete the projects and with the desired outcomes. We must also ensure that we do not duplicate efforts and incur unnecessary costs. The planned waterlines are intended to be implemented under Force Accounts, or as community projects, with the respective states and we must be mindful of the risk that the projects may take longer and possibly cost more.