Toribiong-Mariur to reform salary scale

Toribiong said that the most critical concern of the citizens is the cost of living which was based from their visits to the different parts Palau and from the several villages and meetings with people in the country and out of the country.‘The ordinary Palauans are having a difficult time making ends meet in view of the ever-rising costs of fuel, power,food medicine, customs and other things. The few elites, high ranking officials and rich businessmen do not share the experience of the ordinary folks in these difficult times, Naturally those in the comfort zone do not feel the pain and struggle of the ordinary folks,” Toribiong said.In a response to queries of some supporters, Toribiong said that the wages of the working class are not sufficient enough to meet the basic cost of living.Mariur said that in order to deal with the challenges of cost of living the government must find new sources of revenues to replace the declining financial support for Palau.Toribiong said there is a need to phase out the Foreign Investment Board (FIB) and instead establish a commission to attract investments.The tandem is also supporting an off-shore drilling for oil and natural gas in Kayangel.Toribiong said the natural gas has the capacity to generate electrical power for Palau at a minimal cost for 30 to 50 years and the oil reserve holds 330 million barrels.Toribiong also proposed an expansion and upgrade of the country’s agricultural department.He said that if he wins he will also actively negotiate with the U.S. the terms of the Compact for financial assistance with emphasis on self-sufficiency.He said that they will deal with the internal management and allocation of our governmental revenues and the national budget.He will also redirect the stimulus funds or subsidies from Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) to Palauan households.