Rufino Aguon, the Palauan Community Association president, said Lifoifoi is a “very good Palauan friend and has spent a lot of his time in Palau.”
“He has been very supportive of Palauans. He’s the right choice. He is always open with his communication with us,” Aguon said.
Last week, Palau President Johnson Toribiong announced the appointment of Lifoifoi.
In his last visit to Saipan, Toribiong assured the Palauan community that he would reopen the consulate here.
Aguon said they are hoping that Lifoifoi can “help speed up” the reopening of their consulate.
“Our consulate is our only gateway to communicate with our home island,” he added.
The consulate is responsible for renewing and issuing Palauan passports, he said.
On Feb. 6, Palau Sen. Raynold “Arnold” Oilouch is scheduled to visit Saipan and Aguon said the Palauan community will meet with the lawmaker to express their concerns.
“That will be his first visit since he was elected and he will come here to express his gratitude to Palauan voters,” Aguon said.
