In a letter to Senate President Mlib Tmetuchl and Noah Idechong, he said the provision which authorizes and appropriates funds to pay for the program the measure creates is troublesome.
“Our local revenuesis in severe downward spiral and projected to be in that condition for the foreseeable future. Without cutting the budget of an existing government program that the Republic does not have the luxury of funding additional programs, especially a program such as that created by this bill, which to my mind is unnecessary exercise of time such as this,” Toribiong said. The measure reviving the Youth Congress will be making recommendations to the Olbiil Era Kelulau regarding pertinent legislation, and in coordinating with international, regional, sub-regional, and national and state government agencies with youth programs, to better streamline the implementation of the “Palau National Youth Policy” of the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs. The benefits of the Youth Congress do not justify even the minimal expenditure of funds proposed by the bill.If Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) insists on formally legislating and funding the program, the president said Congress can reduce its own budget by an equal amount or reprogram money to finance it.He said that the program is best to be sponsored, organized and conducted in-house by the OEK since the program will be under the administrative supervision of the OEK, and that there is no need for an additional strain of the program.The president recommended that the OEK should delete all references in the bill to administrative support from the Executive Branch.The president also said the definition of youth include ages 14 to 24, he noted that 14 years old is too young while 24 years old can already be eligible to run for office.The president said this proposed measure also debases the role of the OEK because it implies that the OEK is so out of touch with the desires and aspirations of the youth that they needed the Youth Congress propose measure for their consideration, he added that the youth also needed to be trained in other careers not only in the field of politics.‘While I think it is important that our youth be given education in civics, I do not think that they need to be formally trained to be elected public officials.”He added that there are other constructive and more meaningful careers outside politics.
