By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Too many meetings requiring members to travel frequently can be costly for the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures and its board members, according to Guam Sen. Telo Taitague, author of a resolution pushing for austerity and efficiency within the organization.
The APIL’s board of directors this week adopted Taitague’s resolution consolidating the board and general assembly meetings into a single trip.
“This strategic move is expected to save substantial funds and mitigate rising operational costs,” Taitague said.
The APIL board’s 64th meeting, which began on Feb. 24 and concluded today, was held in Majuro, the Marshal Islands capital.
While advocating for fiscal responsibility, Taitague stressed the importance of ensuring that APIL remains an effective and action-driven legislative body.
“Even as we implement cost-saving measures, we must preserve the substantive nature of our work as a board,” said Taitague, oversight chair of regional affairs.
“Funding is essential to follow through on the resolutions we pass and the initiatives we create. While these changes help reduce costs for our individual offices, they ultimately strengthen APIL’s ability to deliver meaningful legislative outcomes,” Taitague added.
APIL comprises representatives from the lawmaking bodies of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap, American Samoa and Hawaii. Its governing board meets twice a year and is funded from the annual subscriptions paid by its members.
APIL tackles a wide range of regional issues including resources and economic development, commerce, energy, regional security, health, social services and education, among others.
Taitague noted the importance of stronger collaboration with neighboring legislative leaders, underscoring the belief that unity and collective efforts are key to achieving sustainable growth for the islands.
“Together, we are stronger and united, together we can achieve sustainable growth for our island communities,” she said.
Taitague also called on APIL members to unite to address the critical issue of nuclear fallout and its impact on downwinders in the islands.
Highlighting the devastating effects on the health of island residents, she stressed the urgent need for collective action.
During her address, Taitague referenced the insightful presentation by Dr. Neal Palafox and Dr. Wilfred Alik on “Improving Health Systems and Healthcare Access for Underserved Populations.”
Palafox is a professor of Population Sciences in the Pacific Program. He also teaches in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.
His research focuses on improving health capacity and reducing health disparities in the Marshall Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Alik specializes in family medicine and in addition to his role as clinic chief, he served as the chair of the Kaiser Permanente Diversity Council from 2000 to 2013.
The presentation shed light on the long-term effects of nuclear fallout and the potential dangers posed by leaking contamination sites, which could be exacerbated by severe weather events.
For over 20 years he has worked as a team physician on medical missions to the Marshall Islands, caring for patients exposed to radioactive fallout. He is an active member of the Micronesian Health Advisory Coalition and a strong leader in the healthcare field.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly edition
Comments