Previous Story
Board seats reserved for young lawmakers
|
Posted on Apr 25 2001
Youth Congress Senators have just landed seats within government-appointed thinking blocks with a freshly-passed legislation that allows for members of the youth group to participate in official government proceedings.
Governor Pedro P. Tenorio has inked his approval to a legislation that would accord members of the youth sector the privilege to sit down with government-commissioned organizations as they go about important decision-making activities.
The local chief executive last week signed into law a legislation that allows for members of the Youth Congress to obtain a non-voting seat in each Commonwealth board or commission.
The law mandates the governor to appoint Youth Congress senators as a non-voting Commonwealth board member.
Youth Congress Speaker Angel A. Demapan welcomed the opportunity to partake in more government-related affairs, jumping at the chance to learn more about the local system of governance.
“This would give members of the Youth Congress additional hands-on experience on government affairs. This way, we will be learning more about the system and further sharpen our leadership skills,” said the youth leader.
Mr. Tenorio, however, aired a recommendation pertaining to the young senators’ appointments in each CNMI board or commission.
He offered to the Legislature an amendment that officers of the Youth Congress, instead of the governor, be given the authority to designate its members to serve as non-voting honorary members of the government institutions.
The governor cited that there are only 22 members of the Youth Congress and yet there are more than twice that number of boards and commissions.
He said that every member of the youth organization would have to be appointed to serve two or more boards at the risk of some members who may end up being appointed to boards and commissions which they have no interest in.
“Keeping the selection process within the YC would ensure that each member serve only those boards and or commissions that they are interested in,” said Mr. Tenorio.
The chief executive has urged the Legislature to expeditiously act on the suggested amendment to the measure for the benefit of the youth.
