By Jose Rodriguez T. Senase
KOROR, Palau (Island Times, Aug. 21, 2015) – Seven senators or a majority of the Senate have written Senate President Camsek Chin asking him to take action on pending measures relating to the fiber optic cable. In their letter to Chin dated August 19, 2015, Senators Rukebai Inabo, Surangel Whipps, Jr., Phillip Reklai, Hokkons Baules, Mason Whipps, J. Uduch Sengebau-Senior, and Raynold Oilouch bemoaned the slow action on the said measures.
“We the undersigned Senators are cognizant of the fact that the fiber optic cable is an important infrastructure critical to sustain our seemingly robust economic growth,” the Senators said.
“Globalization and e-commerce is a fast-paced reality that we as a nation must come to terms with and respond quickly to if we are to keep pace with the rest of the world. Unreliable and fluctuating connection is keeping Palau, its citizens, residents, and visitors from being in touch with the rest of the world,” they added.
The lawmakers stressed that Palau needs the fiber optic connection. “Palau needs fiber optic cable now! Already, there are at least two options to connect Palau and Yap to Guam. The World Bank project assessment document has provided financial and economic analysis estimating a positive net economic impact rate of return of 8 to 9 percent,” the Senators noted.
“Project design strongly recommends an independent entity to own and manage the fiber optic cable and is the reason why two bills are pending in the Senate to create the BELAU SUBMARINE CABLE CORPORATION (BSCC),” they added.
The Senators noted that Senate Bill No. 9-138 was introduced in the Senate in October 2014, passed first reading and assigned to the Committee on Energy, Public Utilities, and Infrastructure (EPUI).