Fitial urges leaders to set aside political differences

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has urged government leaders to set aside their political differences and work together for the common good of the CNMI during a speech at the first session of the 11th Youth Congress yesterday.

Senate President Pete P. Reyes and Speaker Arnold I. Palacios also delivered messages before Chief Justice Miguel Demapan administered the swearing in ceremony for the 23 elected youth senators at the Jesus P. Mafnas Building on Capital Hill.

“Young people should understand how their government works and how democracy works,” said Fitial to the youth leaders.

He said they would soon gain a greater appreciation of the legislative process and policy-making, and better understand the government.

However, he also underscored the danger of relying too much on the government to solve problems. He urged them not to neglect the private sector, which makes the government possible because they are the ones paying taxes.

“The private sector hires and pays employees, who pay taxes to the government,” Fitial said.

Too often, “we allow politics to trump economics and this leads to disastrous policies that harm our islands,” he added.

Fitial told the youth leaders, members of the Legislative Branch, parents and visitors to consider the Retirement Fund, with its huge unfunded liability.

He said the problem was created when economies and finance were ignored to provide unfunded and unsound benefits for political purposes. These benefits, he said, exceeded the Fund’s ability to pay.

“We must be wary of this tendency of government to make unsound political decisions for political benefits, regardless of the actual costs or economics involved,’ Fitial said.

He said the lack of cooperation between the Legislative and Executive branches has devastating effects over sound economics.

Fitial said the CNMI today is still in crisis.

He recalled that external events that adversely affected the CNMI were “often beyond our control.”

“Globalization and the effects of free trade, for example, have taken their toll on our once formidable manufacturing industry,” Fitial said.

He added that oil prices, though recently receding, have also taken their toll on the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the economy.

“Federalization presents another great challenge,” Fitial said.

He said that it is more important than ever for the two braches to work together for common cause of the people of CNMI.

“The challenges we face are not easy challenges to address but we stand a grater chance at success if all sectors of the community, including the Legislature, Executive Branch and the business community, join together to resolve our pressing issues,” Fitial noted.

Senate President Reyes and House Speaker Palacios spent time inspiring the young leaders to excel while doing their duties.

Reyes told them to take this opportunity to develop their leadership skills.

“In the coming years the CNMI will need those who are able to lead, inspire and bring fresh new ideas to the table. This is your chance to hone those skills needed to be an effective leader,” Reyes said.

Palacios said the Youth Congress provides an excellent opportunity for young leaders to immerse themselves and think about the problems and issues facing the CNMI, discuss those problems and take a position on an issue and debate on its merits.