Office of the Director
Department of Youth & Civic Affairs
www.yapstategov.org
BRIEFS
October 6, 2011
HEALTH SERVICES SUSPECTS THE PRESENCE OF LEPTOSPIROIS AND
DENGUE FEVER IN YAP
The Yap State Department of Health Services has warned the public of two deadly
diseases that could affect the lives of many people if precautionary measures are not
taken to prevent the diseases from spreading into the communities.
A statement released by the Health Service yesterday has revealed that 1 confirmed and
14 suspected cases of Leptrospirosis have been detected in the municipalities of Rumung,
Gagil and Weloy. The statement also indicated that 26 suspected cases of Dengue Fever
were also detected in Fanif, Maap and Rull municipalities.
The Department of Health had explained in the statement that Leptospirosis is a rat borne
disease and is spread by rats. The Department has advised the public to take the necessary
steps to prevent the disease from spreading further into the communities by cleaning and
destroy rat habitats around their homes.
The Department listed the following as symptoms of Leptospirosis so people would be
aware whether or not they have contracted the disease. They include DRY COUGH,
FEVER, HEADACHE, MUSCLE PAIN, NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIARRHEA and
SHAKING CHILLS. The Department also reported in the statement that leptospirosis
may develop and could take 2 to 26 days before it is treated.
On the other hand, the Department of Health Services is reminding the public about the
Dengue Fever, which is a mosquito borne disease spread by the mosquitoes. The
Department said although there is no vaccine to prevent the disease from spreading, there
are ways to control in order to minimize its affect on the population.
1. Eliminate all mosquito breeding sites around homes and other places in the
communities including meeting house, men‘s house and work places.
2. Clean and empty all water holding containers and dispose of all empty cans,
bottles, plastic bags, coconut cells and used car tires that are laying around the
premises.
3. Use mosquito nets, mosquito coal and repellent as protection from mosquito
bite.
The symptoms for Dengue Fever are as follow;
High Temperatures, Severe Headache, Backache, General Body Aches, Pain in the Body
Joints and could develop within 7 to 14 days.
As part of effort and awareness program, the Department has advised the public to seek
medical attention immediately if they develop a sign or symptoms of either one of the
diseases.
HEART SPECIALIST TO CONDUCT CLINIC FOR CHILDREN IN YAP
The Department of Health Services, Maternal and Child Health Program has advised the
parents and guardians of all children with heart problems that a heart specialist for
children will be visiting Yap from 9th to 11th October 2011.
The pediatric cardiologist will be arriving on Sunday October 9 and will hold clinics on
the 10th and 11th October at the Yap Memorial Hospital, OPD Left Wing from morning
till afternoon.
This clinic is specifically for children with heart problems. Appointments for children are
being sent to parents and guardians through the CHC health workers.
The Maternal and Child Health Program wishes to remind all families with a problem
child to bring with them their appointment slips when they go in for the visit and must
make sure that they register at the Record Room before proceeding to the clinic.
In addition, the Department is requesting all parents and guardians who know or
suspected any heart conditions with their child but have not received any appointment
notice to have their child assessed by the local doctors at Yap Hospital before they could
be referred to the clinic.
YAPESE UOG STUDENT TO VISIT YAP FOR FIELD STUDY
Yesterday, in a memorandum from the Office of the Governor, Governor Sebastian L.
Anefal notified all departments, offices and agencies that a post-graduate student from
the University of Guam (UOG) will be in Yap next week for her practicum field work.
Ms. Joleen Chumrad will be visiting various departments, offices and agencies of the
government as part of her practicum field work for her Master‘s degree. Governor Anefal
requested his heads to assist in the student‘s endeavors, by providing the available data
and documents/reports that she requires. Ms. Joleen‘s field of interest focuses on either
one of three areas of policy analysis, program assessment or research.
Once prepared, Ms. Joleen will submit her report to her UOG professor in December.
This is not the first case where the government assisted in a student‘s educational
endeavors; there have been numerous instances where Yapese college students from
abroad have been assisted by the Yap State Government and the communities. Governor
Anefal in his memo expressed appreciation to all who have assisted students of Yap in
fulfilling their educational goals.
17TH FSM CONGRESS VOTES ON PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS
After the several committee hearings and fact finding activities starting from the First
Special Session last July, the 17th FSM Congress had a split session today to vote on the
twenty one Presidential nominations for heads of departments, offices and agencies,
ambassadors and Consuls General.
With all 14 members present, voting by secret ballot on the nominations started with
Congressional Resolution 17-16 for Mrs. Jane Chigiyal to be FSM Permanent
Representative to the United Nations. Mrs. Jane Chigiyal received 13 to 1 votes in her
favor, making her the first FSM female ambassador in history.
Five other nominations were considered immediately after the successful action on Mrs.
Jane Chigiyal‘s nomination. Mr. Lorin S. Robert got confirmed with a 10-4 count to
continue in his post of Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Ismael
Dobich whose nomination was next on the list to head the FSM Consulate General in
Honolulu, was rejected by a vote of 6-8. A motion to reconsider Dobich‘s nomination
was also rejected. .
The last three rounds of voting during the morning session were favorable for Mr. Gerson
Jackson to be the Ambassador in Fiji, with a 10-4 tally, Mr. Robert Ruecho to be the
Consul Genral on Guam, with 12-2, and Mr. Samson Pretrick, one of two nominations
with unanimous votes, to be the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Congress was called back to order at 2:00pm after lunch break, and worked on the
remaining 15 nominations with the results as reflected in the table below:
Nominees Office yes no status
Asterio R. Ambassador to US 6 8 Not
Takesy Confirmed
Akillino Susaia Ambassador to China 14 0 Confirmed
John Fritz Ambassador to Japan 13 1 Confirmed
Julius Joey Director, Public Defender Office 9 5 Not
Sapelalut Confirmed
Albert T. Welly Director, National Election Office 8 6 Not
Confirmed
Francis Itimai Secretary, Department of Transportation 5 9 Not
Communication & Infrastructure Confirmed
Marion Henry Secretary, Department of Resources and 12 2 Confirmed
Development
Andrew Director, Office of Environment and 12 2 Confirmed
Yatilman Emergency Management
Ginger Porter FSM Post Master General 11 3 Confirmed
Mida
Dr. Rufino Secretary, Department of Education 8 6 Not
Mauricio Confirmed
Dr. Vita A. Secretary, Department of Health and Social 5 9 Not
Skilling Affairs Confirmed
Maketo Robert Secretary, Department of Justice 7 7 Not
Confirmed
Haser Hainrick Director, Office of National Public Auditor 8 6 Not
Confirmed
Tiser Reynold Secretary, Department of Finance and 8 6 Not
Administration Confirmed
Evelyn Adolph Director, Office of SBOC 9 5 Not
Confirmed
At the end of the day, the fourteen Senators rejected 52 percent of the President‘s
selection for cabinet members.
During one recess when votes were being counted, one of the most senior members
explained to the ―rookies‖ that the situation of near landslide rejection was ―not the first
time and will not be the last time either‖, referring to the way Congress asserts its
prerogative over the President‘s choices in reorganizing the Executive Branch.
Congress stood in recess and will resume at 10:00am on November 6.
OIL FROM SHIPWRECKS IN THE STATE OF CHUUK “A TICKING
ENVIRONMENTAL TIME BOMB” ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT MORI
PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services) — In his address to the 66th United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Manny Mori outlined the priority issues
for his nation and the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).
The President drew particular attention to an issue of paramount concern to the State of
Chuuk, pointing to the sixty or more World War II shipwrecks resting at the bottom of
Chuuk lagoon with an estimated thirty two million liters of oil still contained in the
wrecks. President Mori refers to the wrecks with their oil cargo as a ―ticking
environmental time bomb‖ that threatens the lives of the people, the lagoon environment
and its marine eco-system. President Mori expressed concern that some of the wrecks
had already started leaking and a collapse of the corroding wrecks could create a spill on
a massive scale comparable to the oil spill disaster in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico.
President Mori said that an oil spill disaster also posed a threat to the lives of the
inhabitants of the islands in the Chuuk Lagoon who depend on the surrounding reefs for
their livelihoods.
The Chuuk State tourism industry thrives on coral and wreck diving and any major
environmental disaster from an oil spill will have a devastating effect on the Chuuk
economy.
The President issued an appeal for the immediate support of the international community
to address the potential environmental disaster.
For more information, please contact the FSM Public Information Office at 320-2548 or
email us at fsmpio@mail.fm.
PRESIDENT MORI HIGH-BEAMED THE CHALLENGES AND PRIORITIES
OF THE FSM IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE 66TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services) — ―Climate Change is no longer a
hypothetical issue for the future, but a real tragedy for the present as we in the Pacific
islands are already experiencing its adverse effects,‖ President Emanuel Mori declared in
his statement to the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly on 23 September 2011,
high-beaming one of the critical and urgent challenges confronting the FSM and the other
Pacific island countries. He went on to state: ―These impacts will continue to worsen
until countries like mine disappear unless immediate and decisive action is taken by this
Body to mitigate climate change.‖
The President was in New York from 19 – 24 September 2011 to participate in the annual
High-Level Meetings and General Debates of the UN General Assembly. Climate
Change continued to be a dominant issue in this year‘s general debates, alongside the
emerging issues of Palestine‘s membership in the UN and the scourge of non-
communicable diseases on the health and economic development of the developing
member states of the Organization.
President Mori made reference to the adoption of a ―Presidential Statement‖ by the UN
Security Council during its debate on the security implications of climate change last
July, expressing encouragement and appreciation for the ―bold step … and unprecedented
action by the Security Council as we continue to face the threat to our existence and loss
of territorial integrity and sovereignty from the adverse impacts of climate change and
sea-level rise.‖
Despite this ―bold step‖ by the Council, there remained some countries that were opposed
to, or continue to doubt, the security aspects of climate change.
The President went on to say: ―those who opposed the debate in the Council and those
who doubted the security implications of climate change simply ignored the obvious. We
respectfully ask those members who opposed the debate and those who are still in doubt
to fulfill their responsibilities under the UN Charter.‖ He continued by urging the
―Security Council, and for that matter the whole UN System, to utilize ‗innovative ways‘
to address the concerns of the most vulnerable members of this Organization,‖ declaring
that ―the time to act is NOW.‖
In his remarks, President Mori made reference to the issue of non-communicable diseases
(NDC) as another key issue for the FSM and expressed gratitude to the attention given to
the issue by the convening of a UN-sponsored High-Level Summit on Non-
Communicable Diseases earlier in the week. According to the Pacific office of the World
Health Organization, the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have the highest
rates of NCD world-wide.
―It is a major concern for us in the Pacific SIDS that non-communicable disease has
reached an epidemic proportions,‖ the President pointed out. He further explained that
―[if] allowed to continue unabated, NCDs could potentially undermine our labor supply,
productivity, investment and education with devastating consequences on our economic
development.‖
The oil leaks from the WWII shipwrecks in the Chuuk Lagoon was also identified by
President Mori as a potential environmental catastrophe for the FSM as a whole and
Chuuk in particular.
There are approximately 7 million gallons of oil contained in the bellies of the
shipwrecks, about sixty of them, laying on the bottom of the Chuuk Lagoon. This is a
―ticking environmental time bomb‖ insofar as leading experts on underwater corrosion
―have warned that the wrecks will collapse and when they do, … [the] oil from these
wrecks could create a spill on a massive scale … comparable to the disaster last year in
the Gulf of Mexico.‖ In short, it will have a devastating impact on the health and safety
of the public, on the marine eco-system, as well as on the tourism industry of the FSM.
On the burning issue of Palestine‘s petition for membership in the UN, President Mori
urged the ―international community to remain steadfast in upholding the principles of
peaceful co-existence as enshrined in the UN Charter,‖ reiterating the FSM
Government‘s support of ―Israel‘s right to live within secured and recognized borders
free from fears of terrorism.‖ The FSM is not opposed to ―Palestine‘s right to statehood
which can only be achieved through a negotiated settlement between the two parties.‖
One other top-priority issue for the FSM and the Pacific SIDS is sustainable development
within the context of the ―Rio+20‖ process, particularly the call for greater recognition of
what has become known as the ―Blue Economy.‖ The President remarked that ―our
ocean resources have enormous strategic value. We depend on them for our living and
cultural identity as seafarers and as peoples of the Pacific.‖ Mori said that the FSM
would ―welcome the participation of our partners in the conservation, sustainable
management and utilization of these resources for our mutual benefit,‖ further observing
that ―for too long we have not received an equitable and fair share of our Ocean
bounties.‖
There were other priority issues for the FSM that were identified by President Mori.
These other issues include the adoption of new and additional measures to address the
unique and particular challenges of SIDS; creation of a special category for the SIDS in
the UN System; and immediate reduction of emissions of long-lived greenhouses such as
carbon dioxide which must be complemented by reduction of short-lived climate forces,
such as black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, and HFC.
President Mori concluded his UNGA statement by noting the ―twentieth anniversary of
my country‘s admission to the United Nations,‖ and reaffirmed the ―pledge to do our best
to support the goals of this Organization for the benefit of our people and for all peoples
around the world.‖
The President‘s delegation included Lorin S Robert, then Secretary of Foreign Affairs
nominee/advisor; Jeem S Lippwe, Deputy Permanent Representative/Charge d‘Affaires
ad interim of the FSM UN Mission in NY; James A Naich, Deputy Chief of
Mission/Charge d‘Affaires ad interim of the FSM Embassy in Washington DC; and
Jackson Soram, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs in the Home Office.
AIR NEW GUINEA EXPLORES FLIGHT ROUTE TO PALAU
KOROR, Palau (Island Times) — On the sideline of the workshop he attended in Japan,
Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce Min. Jackson Ngiraingas said he met
with the general manager of Air New Guinea that expressed intention to fly into Palau.
Ngiraingas said that the plan is to have regular flights from Palau to Japan, to Papua New
Guinea and to Australia.
Ngiraingas said the Air New Guinea is conducting their own research on the possibility
of flying here.
"Palau welcomes this new airline and my ministry will do everything to assist the airline
to ensure everything goes well," the minister said.
Currently, seven airlines have direct and chartered flights to Palau. Continental Airlines
fly nine times a week to and from Palau. Guam-Palau flight is daily while Manila-Palau
flight is twice a week.
Fly Guam have twice a week direct flights to Palau while Asiana Airlines, China
Airlines, Trans Asia and Korean Air have scheduled chartered flights.
Delta Airlines have four times a week direct flight between Narita, Japan and Palau but
their flights here are suspended and will reportedly be back in December.
Bureau of Aviation Dir. Charles Obichang earlier disclosed that with almost 30 flights
received a week, an expansion of the apron is underway through the assistance of the
Federal Aviation Administration. FAA granted US$13 million to fund the apron
expansion, which is expected to be completed by next year or early 2013.
-END-