May 2020

  This announcement had been made to inform FSM Social Security Monthly beneficiaries who obtain your monthly benefits at the Pohnpei SS Branch Office.  FSM Social Security checks for the month of May 2020 are in the alphabetical first name order.  For those that have your monthly pensions issued at Pohnpei Branch Office, the following are the designated days and the first name letters that all should comply with: May 26:  Tuesday, first name letter A to D May 27:  Wednesday, first name letter E to K May 28:  Thursday, first name letter L to P And on May 29:  Friday, first name letter Q to Z For those who have your monthly pensions issued at Banks, Post Office and other Institutions will be available on May 29, Friday at the respective Institutions mentioned above. Kindly observe and respect the pre-cautions for COVID-19 so that distribution days will go smoothly and peacefully. Thank you all. Pakair sang FSM Social Security, Pohnpei Branch ong koaros me kin ketiki sapwelimawmail imwin sounpwong ni Ohpis wet, (General Delivery) Pohnpei Branch.  Patodahn check en imwin sounpwong en May pahn tepida wiawi Ni Are, May 26, 2020 oh pahn imwisekla Ni Alem May 29, 2020.   Patodahn check pwukat pahn patohda nin duwen mwohmw me wiawier nan soupwong en March, 2020.   Tepin mwahr de ahd akan kan me pahn doadoak.   Eri iet rahn akan oh tepin mwahr de ahd akan me kosondier:   Ni-Are:  May 26, 2020 – Mesen inting A oh imwsekla D Ni-Esil:  May 27, 2020 – Mesen inting E oh imwsekla K Ni-Epeng: May 28, 2020 – Mesen inting L oh imwsekla P Oh Ni-Alem:  May 29, 2020 – Mesen inting Q oh imwsekla Z   Koaros me kin ketiki nan Posto, nan Bank, Nan Institution teikan pahn ketiki Ni-Alem wasa pwukat me kumwail ketin kelelehdier me iei wasa me kumwail kin kektki ie.   Pwehki Pohnpei eh ketket nan irair en doare soumwahu COVID-19, kongongpen wiawihdahn sapwelmamwail bank account pwehki sahpis en direct deposit me keieu konehng nan ansou apwal wet. Sapwelimamwail imwin sounpwong kan pahn kin inenla de direct deposit nan sapwelimamwail account a kaidehn ni address me pato likin bank account.   Komw pwarodo ansou mwadang ni Ohpis en Social Security oh audehda “Change of Address” oh ketkihdi sapwelimomwi bank account. Ma mie sapwelimomwi iren kalelapak, a komwi wehwehdo pwehki ehu pene en kak mie. Komw kak doadoangki delepwohn nempe 320-2709 de 320-2181 de email address:  pohnpeissa@mail.fm      Kalahngan.   Kalahngan.     Image by cwhrtmnn from Pixabay

Enginkehlap News Excerpts 12-20 for the week of May 18 –  22, 2020 For the Pohnpeian version: Click here to listen. Monday, May 18, 2020, Governor Oliver received a courtesy call from Mr. Shibata Shinji, JICA Micronesia Resident Representative. The purpose of Mr. Shinji’s visit was to bid farewell to Governor Oliver and inform him that his successor has been identified but will not be able to arrive until travel restrictions are lifted to enter Pohnpei.  In the meantime, Mr. Shinji assured Governor Oliver that JICA Micronesia will continue operations manned by three local staff.  Governor Oliver thanked Mr. Shinji and JICA Micronesia for their many years of support to Pohnpei.   Monday, May 18, 2020, Governor Oliver convened a meeting to coordinate the construction and stand up of the Medical Monitoring Area (MMA) in Dekehtik.  The MMA, when completed, will house quarantine and isolation facilities for those who are returning to Pohnpei from COVID19 infected areas.  The meeting included members of the Pohnpei State COVID-19 Task Force and members of the Governor’s cabinet.  As Chairman for the Ad Hoc sub-committee of the COVID-19 Task Force, Lieutenant Governor Perman will lead coordination efforts to build up the MMA as soon as possible with the help of Pohnpei Port Authority (PPA), Pohnpei Utilities Corporation (PUC), Office of Transporation and Infrastructure, Department of Health and Social Services and Pohnpei Transportation Authority (PTA).    Monday, May 18, 2020, COVID-19 Task Force chairperson, Dr. Marcelle Gallen, joined the US Ambassador to FSM, H.E. Carmen Cantor, and the U.S. Navy Seabees at the Medical Monitoring Area (MMA) in Dekehtik.  Dr. Gallen was there to receive the turnover of the latest shower/toilet facilities built by the U.S. Navy Seabees.  The next set of shower/toilet facilities are expected to be completed in two weeks.   Wednesday, May 20, 2020, a joint leadership conference was held between the Executive Branch and the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature (PSL) at the Governor’s conference room.  The purpose of the joint conference was to discuss corporate land leases and other urgent issues.  At the conclusion of the conference, the 10th PSL pledged to work with the Executive Department on standardizing land lease rates for corporate and private businesses.   Wednesday, May 20, 2020, Governor Oliver signed into law, Legislature Bill No. 62-20, which was passed by the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature appropriating an amount of $114,300.00 for the procurement of furniture and basic medical equipment to complete the Dispensary in Saladahk U Municipality.  The needed items will enable the Dispensary to open soon.  A Memo was issued May 21, 2020, from the Governor’s office reminding Departments and Agencies in the Pohnpei State Government of the proper and legal use of Government vehicles.  The memo also designates the Lieutenant Governor to be in charge of vehicle permit requests.  The use of Government vehicles for other than official purposes is prohibited.     On Friday, May 22, 2020, the Pohnpei State COVID-19 Task Force met with representatives from Pohnpei Catholic School and Calvary Christian Academy.  The school representatives came to ask the Task Force for permission to hold limited graduation ceremonies for their students.  They also presented graduation plans that are aligned with Pohnpei State’s advisory on public gatherings.  The Task Force thanked the school representatives for their request and were happy to allow the graduation ceremonies that will follow strict social distancing guidelines in line with Pohnpei State’s advisory on public gatherings. 

Kaselehlie Maingko. Following the temporary closure of borders and extensive travel restrictions imposed by countries because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware that some Pohnpei residents are currently stranded in Guam and Hawaii and are eager to return home. The Pohnpei State Government empathizes with these affected individuals particularly in these challenging times and more importantly appreciates their patience while the government takes bold steps to facilitate their quick travel back home. Thank you for your enduring spirits!  Your quick return home and reunification with your families is very important to us. While there is no specific confirmed date yet for your travel back home, we would like to assure you that the Pohnpei State Government is actively working with the National Government and relevant entities to ensure your return home as soon as possible. In the meantime, we would like to encourage all affected and interested persons to kindly contact the nearest FSM Consulate Office (see phone numbers below) if not already done so, to register their Name; Passport Number; Date of birth; Age; Purpose of travel; Original intended travel date back to Pohnpei; Number of people you are traveling with (e.g. as a family), copy of itinerary or flight booking and contact details. This registration list will be used to coordinate flights into Pohnpei with United Airlines, the FSM National Government, and Pohnpei State Government.  Please note that you are still responsible for your own travel costs, i.e. purchasing your own ticket.  You will be required to be tested for COVID-19 before you depart.  Testing will be arranged and paid for by the FSM National Government.  Consulate staff will provide further details on testing when you register.  Upon arrival in Pohnpei, you will also be required to go through the Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services protocols for medical screening and mandatory quarantine for a minimum of 14 days in a designated quarantine facility. More information will be provided in due time. For further inquiries, please call below numbers: FSM Consulate General Guam (671) 646-9154 FSM Consulate Office Hawaii (808) 836-4775 Kalahngan and please be safe! Pohnpeian Translation to follow.

Kaselehlie Maingko, Please find the latest COVID-19 situation report from the Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services, Situation Report No. 11: To download the PDF version:  Click SitRep#11 Kalanghan

Kaselehlie Maingko, Please find the latest COVID-19 situation report from the Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services, Situation Report No. 10: To download the PDF version, click  SitRep#10 Kaselehlie O Kalanghan

Kaselehlie Maingko, Please find the latest COVID-19 situation report from the Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services, Situation Report No. 9: To download the PDF version SitRep#9 Kalanghan O Kaselehlie

Kaselehlie Maingko, Please find the latest COVID-19 situation report from the Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services. To download the PDF version CLICK HERE. You can also visit the Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services website: https://psdhs.fm/   Kalanghan O Kaselehlie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Please refer to the posted document,  Pohnpei’s Constitutional Emergency Order (CEO) 20-02, signed May 11, 2020, by Governor Reed B. Oliver, declaring and continuing a state of emergency for the state of Pohnpei in response to the continuous and imminent threat of COVID-19. Unless revoked or amended sooner, this Constitutional Emergency Order is valid for a period of thirty (30) days counting from May 10, 2020. You can also download the PDF File: Pohnpei CEO No 20-02  

On May 2, 2020, Pohnpei State Director of Health and Social Services, Mr. Wincener David, Pohnpei State COVID-19 Task Force Chairperson, Dr. Marcelle Gallen, and Lab Supervisor Maopa Raikabula received COVID-19 Test Kit related supplies from U.S. Embassy DCM Heather Coble, Defense Attache’ Lt. Col. Erin Richter and Operations Coordinator SMSgt Jody L. Robey. The supplies included 200 Non-Re-Breather Masks, WHO GenXpert Test Kits, GenXpert Calibration Check, WHO VTMS (Virus Transport Media Swab), and SeraCare GenXpert Reference Kit. Kalanghan to the U.S. Embassy for your continued support of Pohnpei’s COVID-19 response efforts. #Enginkehlap

A patrol boat (FSS Independence) carrying 16 crew and 8 passengers originating from Yap via Chuuk arrived in Pohnpei on Friday, May 1 2020. Before the Medical Health team had an opportunity to screen the crew and passengers, a situation developed. This is to inform the general public that as of 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 2, 2020, FSM National Police arrived armed at the Maritime Surveillance Port, breached security and quarantine, and removed 11 of the 24 individuals from the vessel without Medical authorization. The current whereabouts of the 11 removed individuals are unknown at this time.  They are being asked to immediately present themselves to the current designated quarantine site at China Star in Dekehtik.  Their families and any people who have come in contact with them are being requested to self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days at home due to the possible risk of exposure.  The general public is also requested to NOT have any contact with these people and their families or anyone they came in contact with.  The 11 individuals are as follows: Kayvin Yarotailug Jon Jovi Jim Wyner Manuel Mohammad Kutty Jefferson Teruo Augustine Mathias Dorothy Ann Inchin Manex Kumos TJ Shirai Punathon Robert Mayson Fredrick Should anyone who came in contact with these individuals develop symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, sore throat, or fever, they are strongly urged to call 320-3109.  Should any of the identified individuals or anyone who came in contact with them present to the Pohnpei State Hospital, Genesis, community dispensaries, or any health facilities, health care workers are advised to immediately inform relevant authorities and call 320-3109. Despite these two FSM states currently being COVID-19 free and in accordance with the current Pohnpei Constitutional Emergency Order, the Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services has established medical screening protocols for all incoming passengers via air or sea, which include quarantine.  Around April 21 – 23, 2020, Yap State reported a PUI death due to symptoms consistent with COVID-19.  Tests of the person indicated negative results, however, it was reported that testing was only 70 percent accurate.  It has also been reported that vessels continue to visit outer islands of other FSM states without appropriate medical screening. This information is provided to safeguard the public. The public is further informed that the above individuals are not confirmed COVID-19 cases, but may pose a high risk to the public since they have not been adequately screened using proper medical protocols.  

Chinese Government contributes $20,000 to Pohnpei’s COVID-19 Response Efforts   H.E. Huang Zheng, Chinese Ambassador to FSM, met with T.H. Reed B. Oliver to handover $20,000 for Pohnpei’s COVID response efforts Governor Oliver receives a $20,000 check from H.E. Ambassador Huang Zheng Peilapalap, April 28, 2020: Governor Reed B. Oliver received a donation of $20,000 from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.  Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Huang Zheng, presented the check to Governor Oliver in the Governor’s Cabinet room.   In his remarks, Ambassador Zheng spoke of 31 years of friendship with the people of Pohnpei and FSM, based on the bedrock of the One-China policy.  Ambassador shared the Chinese Government’s position of leaving no one left behind during the COVID19 crisis, and updated the Governor and staff on COVID19 cases in China, stating that there have been no new locally transmitted cases in China recently.  Ambassador Zheng ended his remarks by saying that a friend in need is a friend indeed and that we can count on China as a friend, especially when we are in need.  Governor Oliver thanked Ambassador and the People’s Republic of China for their generous contribution to the people of Pohnpei, saying, “Words are not sufficient to thank you”.  He noted the many projects that have benefited the people of Pohnpei through Chinese development assistance including the much-anticipated project of renovating the Pohnpei State Government Administration Building.  A separate donation of USD 100,000 was made from the Chinese Embassy to the FSM National Government from the China-Pacific Island Country Cooperation Fund against COVID-19. Pohnpei State will also be able to access a portion of these funds from the FSM National Government. The funds will be used to purchase supplies and equipment to help Pohnpei fight the spread of COVID19.  Also present from the Pohnpei State Government was Lieutenant Governor Feliciano M. Perman, Chief of Staff Mrs. Suzanne Lowe Gallen, Director of Treasury and Administration Ms. Christina Elinei who received the check from Governor to be deposited in the state’s COVID19 account, Director of Health and Social Services Mr. Wincener David, Pohnpei State COVID-19 Task Force Chairperson Dr. Marcelle Gallen, External Assistance Coordinator Ms. Shirley Ligohr, and other staff from the Office of the Governor.