According to Asap Bukurrou, the course is one of PCS’s effort build capacity of the communities it works with.
“We hope to build the capacity of the members of the communities to participate in the surveying and monitoring of their marine resources,” Bukurrou said.The dive course began on Sept. 23 and concluded on Sept. 26. The course, which normally costs $200 to about $600 or more (per participant) and dependent on components taught, was offered for free.Six states took advantage of the free course and enlisted the names of their representatives to the course.Last Friday, PCS, through the PADI course, certified the following people as scuba divers: Felisa K. Andrew (Sonsorol State): Matsuda Renguul, Einer Kebekol, and Leslie Ngiramolau (Ngarchelong State); Samil Beouch, Matsuda Ngirakelau, Loma Robert (Ngaremlengui State); Sheldon Siksei (Aimeliik State); Mers Rebluud and Jameson Techitong (Ngatpang State); and Victor R. Masahiro (Ngardmau State).According to Bukurrou, PCS has, in a sense, expanded its resources.“PCS and the participating state governments can now utilize these newly certified divers in underwater surveys or monitoring of existing state marine protected areas,” Bukurrou said. “I congratulate these individuals who devoted their time and effort to take the course, and I hope that what they have learned will benefit the communities they live in.”PCS continues to advocate all activities that promote the conservation and protection of all of Palau’s natural resources.
