Earlier this week, Mesebeluu announced retirement as Head Start Director.
Mesebeluu told reporters that after five years in service as Head Start Director, she said she has great confidence that she will leave the agency in good hands.
“I have decided to run for the Senate in the November election with strong conviction to help improve the welfare of the people of Palau and most especially our children and families.”
Mesebeluu said that she is convinced that health and education are among the fundamental foundation “to a strong developing nation.”
“The leaders, they always say that education is their priority. Its’ all about saying it but when it comes to action, they are not really doing something about it. Educators needs tool for the job, specific tools like books to do a good job. I know what they need and I’d like to help them, to support them,” she said.
“It’s very important for the children to be healthy and ready to learn. If they are in pain, or if their having toothache, its hard for them to think, these are the things that I would like to look into, to include programs for the head start and pre-school,” she said.
She said as a mother and a homemaker, she feels that hard times are being experienced especially now that Palau is caught in the middle of an economic crisis.
Mesebeluu said that part of her platform is to address the high cost of living, support employment and increased minimum wage and promote sustainable economic development.
Mesebeluu said especially close to her heart are early childhood education and child care programs and services.
Mesebeluu said that he already have over 25 years of experience working in education.
“As your candidate I am committed to address the economic crisis and other national issues that can contribute to the improvement of our economy and the well-being of the Palauan people,” Mesebeluu said.
Mesebeluu said her decision to run for Senate is timely because of her retirement from Head start.
She said she was convinced by a group of women who shared the same views and who supported her platform to run for Senate.
She said she rejected the idea of running for Senate at first but after talking to her family and the people of Ngeremlengui State, she made her final decision.
“It was right timing because of my retirement. I cannot be involved in any politics while I am work at the Headstart. So now is the time to be involved in politics and to make a difference,” she said.
Mesebeluu filed her candidacy on Wednesday.
The day is also her and husband’s Del. Augustine Mesebeluu’s 32nd wedding anniversary.
She was accompanied by her husband at the Commission on Elections. Mesebeluu announced her candidacy yesterday afternoon in front of family and friends.
It was her last day of work at the Headstart. when she officially announced her candidacy.
Mesebeluu said she would also look into the economic situation of Palau and one way of addressing the crisis is to lure investors and increase the minimum wage of the workers.
“I’m a member of FIB and FIB is trying its best to lure investors. One way of improving the economy is to get investors, we should open our door to more investors because it would bring more income to Palau,” she said.
“One of the problem why we’re having difficulties right now, is there’s no really implementation of the law, no enforcement of the law and somebody must sit to ensure that the law is enforced or implemented.”
She added that the people must demand for a solution to this crisis.
“They should ask the leaders to work hard to improve the economy. The leaders should address the issue and must seek the welfare of the citizens,” she stressed.
