by Krystal Paco

Guam - The Commission on Decolonization can't proceed with educational outreach without funding.

At Monday's meeting, director Ed Alvarez noted his anxiousness to begin awareness on the independent, statehood, and free association positions. "I want to start educating going out to schools and educating the young goes so far. There's only so much 'free' we can get, but we need to take this effort to the next level, which is to start educating the masses," he said.

Alvarez says there was $250,000 in Department of the Interior funding for educational outreach, but the status of that funding unknown with the change in leadership as well as the effects of sequestration.

Meanwhile, they're looking into other funding sources including the tourist attraction fund and funds from Liberation Day festivities.

In addition, the Commission continues to finalize the format of the position papers.

A follow-up meeting has yet to be scheduled.