Colonia, Yap State—FSM: The Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, represented the National Government at a state funeral in Yap State for the untimely passing of the late Governor of Yap State, the Honorable Charles Sigfred Chieng, who passed away in the United States on May 28, 2025.  The Vice President was accompanied by Second Lady Adelita Palik, the Honorable Andrew Yatilman, Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management (DECCEM), Kandhi Elieisar, Special Advisor to the President, and Jack Harris, Special Assistant for State Matters.  

The funeral ceremony was held on Wednesday July 8^th at the Yap State Legislature Chamber in the presence of Yap State leadership, traditional leaders, family and relatives of the late Governor Chieng.  During the solemn ceremony, Vice President Palik expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the National Government, and conveyed deepest respects and condolences, particularly to the family and relatives of the late Governor, saying, “Governor Chieng was a loving father, a great man, a respected leader, and dedicated public servant to whom our country is immensely grateful.”  He added that “President Simina and I and the entire leadership of our National Government are with you, the leadership and people of Yap, during these difficult times.” He also indicated that a Presidential Proclamation has been issued to display the national flag at half-mast in honor of the late Governor.

The Vice President Palik stated, “…the late Governor was a staunch advocate of greater transparency, accountability, and ethics in public service.”   The Vice President also added that the late Governor strongly believed in the unity of our nation and worked closely with the Simina-Palik administration with a distinguished voice of reason on public sector reform, sustainability and self-reliance.

The Vice President remarked that, on a personal note, he came to know the late Governor when he was President/CEO of the Pacific Islands Development Bank, and the late Governor was then the Speaker of the 7^th Yap State Legislature and served as a member of the PIDB Board of Governors.  He thanked the late Governor for his support and contributions to the regional bank.

The Vice President concluded his remarks by acknowledging the family and relatives of the late Governor Chieng and expressing the gratitude of the Nation for their love and moral support.  He quoted President Simina who said the following: “Governor Chieng was not only a dedicated leader and a principled public servant; he was also a dear friend. His passion and love for Yap was undeniable. He led with his heart and served with a quiet strength that was formidable. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the institutions he helped strengthen.”

While in Yap, the Vice President took the opportunity to meet the Yap leadership to brief them on an assortment of issues and attended an official dinner function hosted by the Yap leadership.

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