Overview:
Palau lawmakers are pushing for change in how public lands are managed. A new House resolution urges President Whipps to direct the Palau Public Lands Authority to release excess lands to the states and prioritize agricultural use, giving communities more opportunities to grow food and boost local economies.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
NGERULMUD, Palau (Feb. 12, 2026)— A House joint resolution introduced during the House of Delegates’ Fifth Regular Session is calling on President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. to direct the Palau Public Lands Authority (PPLA) to designate portions of public land for agricultural use and to accelerate the return of excess public lands to the states.
House Joint Resolution No. 12-18-5, introduced last Wednesday, urges the president to mandate PPLA to identify and allocate suitable public lands for farming and to encourage governors and state public land authorities to do the same within their jurisdictions.
While the proposal received general support, several delegates noted that many states already have master plans that set aside land for agriculture. The discussion also raised broader concerns about the national government’s continued control of large areas of public land through PPLA, with limited progress in transferring those lands back to state authorities.
Ngarchelong Delegate Sinsak said the issue has persisted for years and called for action. He stated that PPLA has yet to fully carry out its legal mandate to return public lands to the states, contributing to ongoing disputes between state governments and the national authority.
Ngchesar Delegate Ngirmechaet echoed similar concerns, saying her state has long sought the return of extensive land holdings. She questioned why large tracts in Ngchesar remain under PPLA control instead of being released for the benefit of local communities.
Ngiwal Delegate Ngirameketii said state public land authorities should work directly with the national agency to address land return issues.
PPLA continues to retain significant land holdings for potential national government use. However, some leaders argue that the agency is holding more land than necessary, effectively limiting opportunities for agriculture, development and other productive uses at the state level.
In Aimeliik, for example, large tracks of the Nekken area remain under PPLA control despite repeated requests from the state for partial release. Officials and community leaders have argued that lands returned to states would still remain available to the national government if needed in the future.
The deliberations reflect growing calls for PPLA to retain only lands essential for national purposes and to return remaining public lands to individual states in accordance with its statutory mandate.