Toribiong delivered his first address, with only 95 days since he was installed as president.
The president said that when he assumed the presidency, he had inherent problems which includes the lack of a budget, massive budgetary shortfall, no meaningful progress in the Compact funding review with the United States and a significant reduction in the local tax revenue.The president said these problems are even compounded by the power crisis and the failure of the government to pay almost $400,000 to various international organizations like the United Nations.The president said the government also has defaulted loan payments to Mega Bank in Taiwan for about $2 million.The president also decried the fact that before he assumed office all of the employees in the President’s Office were contract employees.He said the contract of these employees expired on the last day of the prior administration and causing an increase in the government’s payroll.“Despite all the problems my administration faced on the day I took office, I am pleased to be able to report to you today that not all is as bleak as it was on January 15, 2009,” Toribiong said.He said that in the last three months, his administration made progress.He however said that the problems the government faces have “in many cases have been completely ignored, or if recognized , allowed to develop unchecked for many years now.”He said now a budget has been put in place, and that the Minister of Finance has assured that the government will be spending within it means, so as not to affect government employees.He added that his administration has also made progress when it comes to the compact review.Earlier President Toribiong visited Washington D.C. to ask for support of an extension to the Compact funding for another year and within that period the review will commence.The president reiterated the need to improve the private sector.He said he is confident that by next year, the state of the country would have recovered “on a more secure and solid ground.”Former president and Sen. Tommy Remengesau said that he is looking at Toribiong’s address in a positive note.I do not want to dwell on the description of the situation or the laying of the blame,” Remengesau told reporters.He said that he is for unity and that Congress will play a key role in ensuring that the challenges are addressed by enacting laws.“In all fairness, the president is only in office for 95 days, we should give him the benefit of time to do meaningful things to address the challenges,” Remengesau said.He said that both Congress and the Executive Branch work closely together to address these issues.
