Pierantozzi hopes to meet with Guam Palauans
Guam - According to the Palau Consulate Office, there are close to 4,000 Palauans living on Guam. And one of Palau's island leaders is on Guam hoping to address some of the concerns and issues many may be facing on their home away from home.
Sandra Sumang Pierantozzi has been the first of many - she was the first Palauan woman minister of finance, minister of health and minister of state. She was the first female senator and the first female vice president. Now she's seeking election to be Palau's first female president this November. "Until now it's always been male-dominated leadership, and I think a woman brings in new fresh perspectives to leadership and I think it's time for change," she told KUAM News.
Pierantozzi is on island to address concerns from the thousands of Palauans calling Guam, home along with give an update on their native homeland. For instance, she wants to address infrastructure needs in Palau, noting that in 1994 Palau received over $200 million from Compact impact for infrastructure along with an additional $11 million a year through its relationships with China and Taiwan.
"I would like to see changes in social infrastructures, legal infrastructures, health and other things like that," she said.
And just like current president Johnson Toribiong did when he visited Guam during the Micronesian Chief Executives Summit earlier this year, she wants to personally meet with Palauans, even visiting their homes to see their living conditions. "And I'd like to make sure that the Palauans on Guam are better contributing residents of Guam, better community participants and not just be a burden of the Guam people and the Government of Guam," she said.
Ultimately, she says the people of Palau and Guam share similar cultures and values and invites everyone to attend to not only listen but grill her with the tough questions. "I know that in Palau, we are kind to each other, we are very respectful of each other and we pride ourselves as being people of respect," she said.
The meeting is set for July 14 at the Chamorro Village's main pavilion from 7-11pm.