President Johnson Toribiong said “consumption of alcohol continues to create social, economic and health problems for the people of Palau.”
He added, “It is not appropriate for the government to pay for alcohol consumed at government functions.”
Under the new policy, all restaurants and caterers should be aware that government officials who consume alcohol at government functions must pay for their own drinks.
The president said it is not the responsibility of the government to spend taxpayer money on alcoholic beverages.
The new policy will educate the citizenry about the dangers of alcohol, he added.
