“Our local revenue is in a severe downward spiral and projected to be in that condition for the foreseeable future. Without cutting the budget of an existing government program, 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 an unnecessary exercise of time,” Toribiong said.
The benefits of the Youth Congress do not justify the expenditure of funds proposed by the bill, he added.
If the national legislature, the Olbiil Era Kelulau, insists on funding the program, the president said the OEK can reduce its own budget to finance the Youth Congress.
He noted that the program will be under the administrative supervision of the OEK.
According to Toribiong, the measure “debases” the role of the OEK because it implies that the national legislature is “so out of touch with the desires and aspirations of the youth that they needed the Youth Congress to propose measures.”
The youth, he added, should also be trained in other careers and not only in 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,” Toribiong said.
