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News Release

Federated States of Micronesia Congress Palikir, Pohnpei Sept. 28, 2007

The Second Regular Session of 15th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia adjourned on Thursday September 27 after passing the National Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2008, confirming certain nominations for the Executive Branch and other pressing national measures.

After extensive hearings and deliberations with National Departments and Agencies, the FSM Congress adopted Congressional Act 15-19 to establish $37, 768,099 as the operation budget for the national government during the 2008 fiscal year. The approved budget also covers the various programs, grants, subsidies and contributions of the National Government and the capital and human resources development.

In addition to the national budget, Congress also addressed several nominations for the departments and offices of the reorganized Branch. Among the nominations that received the blessings of the...

Commentary

By Ben Pangelinan

HAGATNA, Guam (Marianas Variety, Oct. 2) – The governor of Guam signed Bill 174 setting forth the appropriations for the operations of the government for fiscal year 2008. According to a release from his office, he is doing it in protest because it leaves the departments and agencies short in funding for operations.

This is hard to understand since a majority of the budgets for the departments were increased by the respective legislative committees. I remember Acting Police Chief Paul Suba being taken to task by former Police Chief and now Senator Frank Ishizaki that the budget ceiling as proposed and submitted by the governor was just not acceptable and how could he defend it. It was not and he could not and eventually the appropriation level was adjusted and the public safety agency was given more money.

Perhaps the biggest folly of the governor’s budget was the contention by the Department of Public Works that they did not...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Oct. 1) - Ramu Sugar Limited in Papua New Guinea is expected to produce its first crude palm oil by December.

The company is also expected to increase its oil palm plantation from 5,500 to 7,500 hectares [13,591 to 18,533 acres] to take advantage of improved oil palm prices.

The sugar-turned- oil palm producer says its oil palm mill will be completed before production begins.

[PIR editor’s note: Ramu Sugar Ltd. reportedly changed its name last year to Ramu Agro-Industries Ltd. Company chairman Peter Colton then said that while the company’s future depended on its core business of sugar and palm oil, plans are in place to get into peanut and cashew planting . ]

RSL chairman Peter Colton said the increase of the oil palm plot by 2000 hectare will mean that the company will have to increase its throughout capacity from 30 tons per hour to 45 tons per hour.

"We have in effect accelerated our expansion...

By Gerardo R. Partido

HAGATNA, Guam (Marianas Variety, Oct. 3) – Invasive insect species and other wildlife alien to Guam—like the deadly California black widow spider—may enter and spread throughout the island as a result of the military buildup.

The Department of Agriculture confirmed reports reaching Variety that black widow spiders and other invasive species have been found in cargo entering Guam port of entries.

[PIR editor’s note: Black widow spiders generally live in trash, closets, attics, woodpiles, garages and other dark places. They are found throughout California, especially in the warmer regions such as the Central Valley and Southern California. Only the female spider is dangerous to humans. ]

According to Department of Agriculture director Paul Bassler, black widow spiders, various species of frogs, and other wildlife have been coming from the mainland through cargo...