Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, wants to postpone the Oct. 18 election until March next year.
LB Director Glenna SP. Reyes said even if Torres’ bill to eliminate the polling places in the precincts becomes law, the election will probably cost the same because most youth voters are students who cast their ballots at schools.
The fiscal year 2011 budget appropriates $41,167 for the Youth Congress — $21,167 for personnel and $20,000 for operation.
Reyes said this is way below the amount allotted when the Youth Congress was first established, which was $100,000. This went down to $80,000 and since the 16th Legislature, funding has been $41,000.
Reyes said the reduced amount did not really cripple the Youth Congress operations. The LB also implemented other cost-cutting measures, she added.
These included holding youth summits in public facilities instead of hotels.
Aside from the election costs, the Youth Congress spends $12,500 for travels to Tinian and Rota, $2,500 for its inaugural activities, and $1,500 for the youth summit.
The Youth Congress holds at least three sessions and one summit a year.
