By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

THE Compact Review Commission will conduct a four-day symposium beginning on Feb. 19.
This symposium is expectedly very important because it will surely tackle the economic future of the country.
Since it will affect all walks of life, it is encouraged that the community take active part in the symposium.
Most of the time workshops and symposium could be a waste of time if no concrete solutions results from it.
This one however is too significant to ignore. By year 2009, the financial package of the Compact of Free Association will lapse.
Before that renegotiations are underway for a second Compact.
The symposium will also allow the commission to get inputs from the leaders, the public and the international experts to help the panel come up with recommendations which will help the negotiating team.
Under the COFA relationship, the United States provides financial assistance covering a 15-year period which is being administered by the Office of Insular Affairs department.
The financial assistance is in exchange for certain defense rights.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are done with their renegotiations in 2003.
The COFA for these Freely Associated States (FAS) were renewed for 20 years.
In previous interviews CRC Chairman Kuniwo Nakamura said that the review is aimed at looking into the strength and weaknesses of the COFA.
The commission will be tasked to review the terms of the Compact since by the year 2009 most of the funding that Palau receives will end.
The measure was proposed to prepare for Palau’s participation in the review process with the United States.
The commission will undertake extensive economic analysis, governance planning, and predictions about where Palau is headed.
The commission will also have to analyze the past decades of relations with the United States , coupled with other extraneous relations.
The economic symposium will inform, enlighten and educate the public and the leaders as well on the development of the country. We do hope that everybody will have their voice on the matter because it is the country’s future that is at stake.
Constant companion
The Filipino radio station 89.9, has been a constant companion to many of the foreign workers here in Palau.
Here in Palau, radio is not only a source of news, but it has been a source of entertainment especially those who are separated from their loved ones.
Thanks to Sen. Alfonso Diaz who launched the program in July, he said that his heart goes to the foreign workers who wanted to beat the loneliness being away from home.
I know from feedbacks from the Filipino community that their day is not complete without tuning in to the station.
The radio station does not only cater to the Filipinos, but to other foreign nationals as well who likes listening to English songs.
It has gained popularity among the foreign workers that it has been a friend too to cure our homesickness.