Tuesday night to meet with residents of the state.
Mariur said, as he made his introductory remarks during the meeting, that he had personally asked Toribiong that they, as a team, begin their campaign in Ngarchelong; and thus, was elated and honored that he and Toribiong were in Bai Mengellakl.Mariur said that he wanted to come to Ngarchelong, primarily, to convey his heartfelt gratitude for the trust and confidence that people of Ngarchelong have given him as he served as the their representative in the House of the Delegates for nearly 16 years; and to ask for further support and blessings as he and Toribiong embark in their campaign for the country’s highest offices.Toribiong and Mariur both gave brief remarks about their candidacy and opted to give more time for the people to ask questions about their political platform and their plans.Toribiong and Mariur have basically 10 items on their political platform, which have been summed up as follows: 1) provide the best of all things for Palauan children; 2) establishment of laws that encourage sustainable investments and economic development; 3) infrastructure development of Babeldaob; 4) promote state autonomy; 5) health care improvements; 6) promotion and preservation of Palauan cultural heritage; 7) secure the welfare of senior citizens; 8) affordable housing; 9) international relations; and 10) leadership transparency.Prior to answer questions Toribiong had posed a thought, which most of the residents at the meeting, applauded. Toribiong said that leaders – the government for that matter – must be really clear on that which is considered a priority.Toribiong defined priority, according to some residents, in a way that everything all of a sudden became clear. He quoted the late John O. Ngiraked when he was asked to define priority. Toribiong asked, as did John O. Ngiraked: “If you were a doctor and a person who has a broken arm, a relentless itchy rash, a stomach ache, obvious symptoms of heart failure, and other visible ailments was brought in for treatment, which of his problems would you treat first?”Toribiong urged the people to notice that the heart must be treated first, for if it fails, treatment of the other ailments would be worthless effort. That he said is priority.The first priority of any government, according to Toribiong, are the people – not roads, buildings, and projects. According to Johnson, if elected president, he would make all possible attempts to upgrade the salary scale of government and private employees, which will in turn directly influence better services – education, health care, businesses, housing, infrastructure, – provided to the people. “The people are the heart of this country,” Toribiong remarked, “All efforts must be made to treat them first prior to anything else. If and when the people’s lives are uplifted, the country would become more resourceful and productive.”Toribiong and Mariur, according to many of the residents at the meeting, had provided meaning and practical answers to the questions that were had raised; and had portrayed possibilities.Many of the residents stood up and publicly conveyed their support to Toribiong and Mariur to which all who were present applauded.
