KOROR (Pacnews) — Hours before leaving office, Palau President Tommy Remengesau signed two proclamations: declaring Demok (taro leaf soup) as national soup for the republic, and a personal appeal to friends and partners to donate to a local non-profit organization to rescue dolphins.
Tommy Remengesau
Remengesau left office as the new president, Surangel Whipps Jr., was sworn in.
In his presidential proclamation dated Jan. 20, 2021, Remengesau said the Demok soup “is an important element of the cultural heritage of the Palauan people.”
“It’s a Palauan soup made out of local ingredients and without noodles, rice, or similar foreign imported ingredients,” he added. “The key ingredients, including taro and coconut, are staples of the traditional Palauan diet, and Demok often includes other staples such as land crab, as well.”
Remengesau said “Demok is an extremely healthy dish with many beneficial properties, and a positive alternative to modern imported or processed foods.”
The local soup is a favorite dish of foreign visitors and has become a popular offering at many of Palau’s hotels, restaurants, and cafes, and is now appreciated by friends, neighbors, partners, tourists, dignitaries, and world leaders from around the globe.
Remengesau also appealed to friends and partners to support and fund the local non-profit organization, Dolphins Pacific.
“The Dolphin Project at Dolphins Pacific is a meaningful, world-renown educational and research program that brings people — and especially children — back to nature,” he added. “The namesake dolphins of this marine park have been rescued after run-ins with commercial fishing vessels, and they now live in beautiful, comfortable conditions.”
He said the park is struggling to keep food in the water without visitors. The Palau government has done what it can to subsidize operations, “but to be frank we are in a difficult financial situation ourselves,” he added.
“This pandemic is affecting everyone, and some of us do not have much to spare. But if we come together, small contributions could make a real difference to the health of these incredible creatures, and the future of this valuable program,” said Remengesau who has served four four-year terms as Palau president.
