"NOC" Movement.

Stands for "No Ocean Casualties". In Memory of "Nonon, Olin and Cindy". (NOC) was originated from these three beloved names which their lives were taken away unexpectedly by the open water of Chuuk. And for the hundreds and thousands of casualties that their names are not mentioned.

There has been so many lives taken by our water and little to no action is taken to prevent future tragic. In this month alone, the water again claimed three lives. All from the island of Murilo, a little island in the Hall region (or so they call it). It is approximately 800 miles of open water from the Main island Weno. That brought our numbers up to over ten (one too many). But that is just my island, so you can guess how many more lives from all the other islands in Chuuk were claimed by the water, and yet still nothing was done to prevent such tragic. Traveling in our water is our way of lives, it's who we are. But at what point do we recognize that there's a need to control open water traveling and to implements and control safety measures in place to prevent further tragic. How many more lives need to be lost to start a law to ensure every travelers on the water are safe and meet a safety standard procedures before going out at sea. How many more bright futures and children lives must be lost to see that there's a need to control our water travelers. How many more? You don't provide safe vessels regularly to our islands. You don't provide safety measure to our travelers to the outer islands to ensure their safety at sea. Then what is your purpose? What do you do as a leader to ensure safety of our people is a priority? What do you do when a family is traveling in open water on a small boat because they do not have the option to travel on a safer/bigger vessel? What do you do?

The answer is this. "NOC", pronounce Nok-"spelling of knock in Chuukese language", meaning "fichifich". Uwa "fichifich" on asam. It is a bill/movement that we the people want to introduce to the Government of Chuuk.

C.B. 15-52 was referred to the Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs (HESA) chairmed by Senator Joseph J. Urusemal of Yap.

As stated in Committee Report No 15-166, several amendments were made to Title 53 of the FSM Code which established the FSM Social Security Administration Program (FSMSSA). The amendments were intended to bring more financial stability to the FSMSSA by increasing collections and decreasing the amount of unfunded liabilities.

The Committee cited some contributing factors to FSMSSA's financial problems which include: (1) recent governmental reforms in the States of Chuuk and Kosrae; (2) the closure of some major businesses in the FSM such as the Garment Factory in Yap; and (3) some beneficiaries have exceeded their contributions yet continue to receive benefit payments.

Despite opposition from the workforce and particularly from Pohnpei, the Committee recommended passage of the bill which passed Congress on February 4, 2009, and is now awaiting President's action.

Pohnpei Legislature passed L.R. 35-09 expressing disappointment of the passage of the bill on behalf of Pohnpei, a copy of which was sent to President Mori. Pohnpei Business Association also sent its recommendation supporting Pohnpei Legislature's position.

President Mori has 30 days to act on the bill which will end on March 11, 2009. The President has the prerogative of approving the bill, disapproving and returning it to Congress with his comments, or letting it become law without his signature.