The incoming government’s inaugural rites scheduled in January 21 will cost much less than the past inauguration.
Inauguration committee chair Patrick Tellei said the inaugural is only expected to cost half of the appropriated amount of $150,000 to fund the ceremony.
“Right now, the preparation is going as planned and we are on track to spend just about 50% of the total amount appropriated for the ceremony and festivities associated with the event,” Mr. Tellei said in an email response regarding the cost of the Inaugurations.
President-elect Surangel Whipps Jr. told local reporters on Wednesday said he has previously asked members of Congress to live with half of the $150,000 amount allocated for the inauguration events.
“We are in a crisis, we are living in borrowed money, we should act accordingly,” he said.
States have also pitched in to save expenses in building stages for the festivities. He said the states have offered to look for materials to complete the stages and avoid spending more money.
He said the committee will also reduce the amount of food for the inauguration and keep things as cost-effective as possible.
The inaugural is also expected to be much smaller given that the usual off-island guests are restricted from traveling to the country due to the COVID-related border closure.
But the incoming government announced that Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu is planning to attend the January 21 installation ceremony.