By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

MEMBERS of the 9th CNMI Youth Congress are willing to waive their honorarium in light of the ongoing budget cuts being imposed in all branches of the government.
Youth Congress Speaker Matthew Deleon Guerrero said they want the existing statute creating the Youth Congress to be amended to remove the provision on their honorarium.
The 23 youth senators each receive $25 per session. They have four sessions each year.
“We want to remove that honorarium so that we can assist the government in addressing the needs of our community. Once the amendment is passed, all members will be volunteer youths aiming to bring progress to our community,” Deleon Guerrero told Variety.
Waiving the honorarium will result in an estimated savings of $23,000 each year.
“It’s not a large amount of financial support from the CNMI government, but waiving it is a way of showing that we don’t want to be part of the problem…we don’t want to be called another bloated institution,” Deleon Guerrero said.
He said that he wishes to create a good image for the Youth Congress.
The issue, he added, has already been discussed at the committee level and will be tackled in their next session on May 12.
According to Deleon Guerrero, the proposal to amend the statute will be introduced by Youth Sen. Anita Hofschneider.
Bills passed by the Youth Congress are transmitted to the Legislature as proposed measures.
“I am very hopeful that it will be supported by our colleagues,” Deleon Guerrero said.
He said the projected savings from the waiver can be used for other youth programs, projects and activities.