The National Emergency Management Organization is hosting its annual training with the U.S. Army and several Belizean media houses to strengthen relations between the disaster organization and the media. This training is carried out so that, in the case of an emergency, information can be distributed in an accurate and timely manner with the adequate care the situation may call for. This training is also a necessary aspect of the United States military’s preparation for hurricane support on disaster management, should they ever be called to Belize.
Daniel Mendez
Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO
“The events that are happening today are part of our annual training with the United States Army. So at the training team is actually from J.T. F., Bravo Joint Task Force Bravo, which is average out of Soto Cano, Honduras. And so they are the team that would respond to believes in case there was a need for humanitarian assistance or disaster response, and it exceeded our capacity. Today we’re talking about how the media engages with the disaster organizations to cover disaster events. We want to make sure that we provide information to the media and to the public. And trying to provide the media with some techniques on how to cover to cover these accurately. While at the same time getting as much information out to people. It’s important because as we look at disaster response, We need to work together. We need to be collaborative, and we need to have a comprehensive approach. NEMO and the government of Belize cannot do everything ourselves, and so we have to really reach out to all of our partners, including the media. The media is important. The media helps us in disseminating information. The media helps us to share information to people as they prepare, as they try to navigate the challenges that that disaster poses.”
On Friday, Prime Minister John Briceño presented his administration’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The financial plan for 2024/2025 has allocated one point four three billion dollars for government’s expenditures in the next cycle. This morning, we asked Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow for a preliminary response to what has been presented in the House of Representatives. Here’s how he responded.
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“It’s more of the same. You look at different parliaments and, by the way, welcome to the Commonwealth Parliament Association, a delegation from the UK, they are here, members of the Labor Party and the Conservative Party are here and I‘ll be meeting with them. I believe they met with some of my other colleagues. But you look at different parliaments and governments across the globe who are grappling with inflation and they implement policies to deal with inflation. I don‘t see anything in the budget or did not hear anything in the budget speech or see anything in the budget items that is directly speaking to inflation and the highest cost of living which is critical. The quality of life for Belizeans, all governments must see to it that they work to improve it and we have not seen that from this government in any of the budgets. The only thing that stuck out to me which I have been saying for the past few years, I‘ve been advocating for healthcare and I‘ve been saying that the infrastructure budget should not be larger than the health budget. And so, I do concede that in this year‘s budget, finally the prime minister is listening to myself and other sober, objective minds and so the health budget is bigger than the infrastructure budget. And so, I hope to see, I know we have the CT-Scan here, I hope to see that the essentials that the public health officials have been crying for,I hope to see in this budget that those monies will go to providing all of the basic things.”
The Government of Belize has earmarked one million dollars to boost the Belize Police Department’s crime fighting strategy. This is apart from the annual budget allocated to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explained that the monies will be used to increase the department’s technological capacity. Here is how he explained it.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We continue to look at modernizing the police and to police using technology and one of the things we are going to push on in the next financial year is to make sure that every police vehicle has a dash cam and not just a dash cam that shows what happens outside, but inside. So, it must have that dual focus for both in and out. We are also going to make sure that every police officer or as much as we can, has a bodycam. Often times there are allegations with police officers and we have seen where the bodycams can be used as either a shield or a sword. If it is that you are doing your duty the right way, then you would have no difficulty in ensuring that what is being done is captured on your bodycam. But If it is that you are going to be conducting your duty in such a way that you are not following process or procedures then you would not want the bodycam to capture. When we are looking at expanding our camera surveillance system, we are looking at he fingerprint system, so everything that has to do with technology to enhance policing is what we are going to do. The minister spoke about the issue of the field DNA testing, that is important for us especially in this era. If we have a sample where we can do the field DNA testing and it proves positive then we can send the sample to the lab to get that official result, that way it is going to eliminate the cost to send something to the DNA lab that may not comeback with a match.”
Since the Christian Workers’ Union called a press briefing last week to state how very upset its members are, those employed by the Port of Belize, there has been little to no feedback from P.B.L. But while the stevedores have only threatened strike action and have reported to work, they have certainly made their discontent known to their employer. The waterfront workers are all on the job, but they have not been working to pace and it has had an effect on business. Today, Leonora Flowers, the President of the C.W.U., categorically told the media that there’s no strike action in place because the union has not informed the employer of such an action. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Leonora Flowers
Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers’ Union
“There is a group of our members – our stevedores – who are very upset and unhappy with what’s happening at the moment. It’s been over a week that we sat with the – we sat in a meeting with the interim board’s chair and we said what was our final stance: Please do not touch our C.B.A. Please get to the sugar money or get to the C.B.A. We are prepared to dialogue on that right now. We’re not prepared to piecemeal any of our rights. We’re not prepared to give those away, not even for the sugar money.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
The tone was set publicly on March fifth and even from before then, when the Christian Workers’ Union wrote privately to the government, seeking a final settlement to the stevedores’ gripes. After not hearing a word on their behalf, stevedores are reportedly on the job, but have begun to show their discontent. While Leonora Flowers, President of the C.W.U., did not share openly what the stevedores have been advised to do, she gave an idea.
Leonora Flowers
“If you’re working and you’re unhappy, I’m sure it’s going to be felt in the effectiveness of what’s happening.”
Marion Ali
So what’s happening? Is it a go slow? What is happening on the ground?”
Leonora Flowers
“I will not seek to put any word to it. Suffice it to say, it’s not a strike. We’ve not issued any strike. We’ve not, told anybody to stay at home. Go to work.”
Marion Ali
“But whether or not they’re carrying on with the job, that’s a different story.”
Leonora Flowers
“(Nods head). You’d have to get what happens there from the Port. As we said, we tell our members, “show up for work.”
News Five did reach out to PBL C.E.O., Arturo Vasquez, who said that there was no protest happening, but that the actions of the stevedores has been having an impact on business. Cargo ships have been making calls to Belize since last week and have been unable to unload at the Port of Belize as a result of the actions of the stevedores. News Five also learned that on Saturday, a ship named Vanquish was sent back to Miami without unloading and that another ship, Aries, which provides a Caribbean feeder service will reportedly travel to the Port of Big Creek to be unloaded. There is another vessel, the Caribbean Mariner, which is also likely to be unloaded. And Flowers said the stevedores are prepared to stay the course until they hear from the government.
Marion Ali
“For how long will this be the case – that they report to work, but work is not happening?”
Leonora Flowers
“We’re anticipating a response from the government as we speak. It’s been more than a week that we’ve heard absolutely nothing from them.”
We left just as the C.W.U was starting a meeting with the foremen of the stevedore gangs. As Flowers explained, they are the ones who determine what steps they will take next.
Leonora Flowers
“These are the people who direct the union what happens. We take our orders from them.”
Marion Ali
“So they will inform what happens tomorrow and for the rest of the week?”
Leonora Flowers
“Yes.”
The stevedores want the government to pay them four point nine million dollars in compensation for the loss of wages when the decision was taken to have bulk sugar exported from the Big Creek Port instead. They also want to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
On Friday, Prime Minister John Briceño presented a review of the government’s fiscal performance for the year 2023 to 2024. He also put forward his administration’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. On Friday, we showed you some highlights from his presentation. Tonight, News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at the 2024/2025 budget, looking at key investments proposed for infrastructure, education and health. And then, there is that ever increasing public sector wage bill. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Prime Minister John Briceño projects one point five billion dollars in revenue and grants for fiscal year 2024-2025. Total projected expenditure stands at one point six billion dollars.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Revenues are comprised of seven hundred and ninety-one million dollars from collections on goods and services, Three hundred and sixty-five million from collections on income and profits, two hundred and twenty-three million from collections on international trade and transactions accounting and seven point seventeen million from collections on property accounting. Let me put this into perspective, for Belizeans to better understand the purpose of each dollar Government spends. Thirty cents of every dollar will be for the wages of public officers; seven cents of every dollar for public officer pensions; eighteen cents of every dollars for operational costs to government, such as utilities and transportation; seven cents for interest on loans, and the remaining twenty-seven cents for capital expenditures, which includes the funding of all projects and programs undertaken by Government.”
That’s seventy-three percent of every dollar going to government’s recurrent expenditure and twenty-seven percent left for capital projects and programs. Among them, the Briceño Administration promises thirty-five million dollars more to fund the expansion of NHI, six million to construct low income houses, and a whopping forty-nine million to construct, repair and maintain streets and highways across the country. Two million dollars have been allocated for sports investments. In education, twelve high schools are being added to the Education Upliftment Project.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“In the budget 2024-2025, Government plans to add twelve additional secondary schools to the Program, increasing coverage to a target of six thousand additional students. The twelve additional schools include Belize Rural High, Ladyville Technical High, San Pedro High, Belmopan Comprehensive, Mopan Technical High, Valley of Peace SDA Academy, Chunox St. Viator Vocational High, Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico, Belize High School of Agriculture, Orange Walk Technical, Bella Vista Government Secondary and Julian Cho Technical High Schools. In these schools the government is paying everyting for these students and there should be no reason why any of these kids should not remain in school.”
This morning, on the heels of his budget presentation, Prime Minister Briceño made an appearance on Open Your Eyes. He explained how his administration goes about ensuring financial prudence and accountability across all government ministries.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“You make enemies, some people get upset, some people get happy, ministries are constantly fighting for more resource, it is a constant battle. Joe Waight and Zeta are not the most popular people in government because they are the ones that has to make the hard decision to tell us, minister well this is the money, this is what we have, these are the commitments we have to meet and this is what is left. And even of what is left we have already committed to projects, so that gets even smaller. We have to take a hard look at to where the real needs are, education, housing, health, infrastructure works and then from there we start to look at where we can allocate the limited resources to try to have the biggest impact in our lives.”
With up to one point one billion dollars allocated to recurrent expenditure and just over half of that earmarked to pay wages and pension, Prime Minister Briceño says the government’s wage bill is too big. So, how does the Briceño administration plan to trim the fat? That’s what he was asked.
Isani Cayetano, Co-Host, OYE
“What can be done to either limit or sort of curtail that part of expenditure? You are looking at pensions, salaries and everything that falls in that category?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Isani you the try set me up? Because, of those advocates that I believe the government is too big. But, you are right, agree. That is why we are pushing for pension reform, pension continues to go up, and it is over a hundred million dollars. What has happened, when I think about it, when we got independence, when we became independent in 1981, we took what the British did and continued that road. The government pays every single penny of your pension and it continues to increase. There has been some instances in government that when you combine the pension from government and from social security you end up with the same salary you are earning when you worked. We are speaking with the public service and union about pension reform and they have been very clear it is a must. We cannot continue to afford it. Now this is hard decision we are making and it cut hurt us politically. We nuh wah benefit from it because what we are saying is all those in the system will continue to benefit but we need to have a cutoff date.”
As we said, over fifty percent of the government’s revenue is being spent on public sector wages and pension. With the annual pension bill now exceeding one hundred million dollars, Prime Minister John Briceño says the need for pension reform is urgent. He further noted that the public sector begins to focus its efforts on hiring more employees that are better able to perform their duties.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“The problem we are having with governments, and successive governments and we throw the need to everybody that is to be blamed, for too long we do not have a public service that you set standards and if you meet the standards you could get into public service. For example in other countries, the elected representatives or the politicians can’t just go and say oh just hire this person. They have to meet certain standards. We have not done that so that government when you look at the workers, the employees the government has it is like a pear, small at the top and the bottom bog and a lot of times, no offense to anybody, a lot of times the people that come into the government system have limited ability to do the work. So now, when we try, we have to bring in somebody from outside the public service and those people will say well I nuh wah come work for government salary and the public service union start to cry foul. That is the challenge, we need more people that can help us to get the work done and I mean it as no disrespect to anybody, please.”
Last Friday, you heard from attorney for the American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries Limited, Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, who explained a court ruling that came against the government. It was the case of the Belize Sugar Industries Limited and the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association against the Attorney General, the Sugar Industry Control Board, the Minister of Agriculture and the Controller of Supplies. The claimants had filed an injunction to have the amended Sugar Industry Import/Export Regulation that was introduced in May of 2023 halted. And the court agreed with the basis of their argument: that the implications of the document, were it effected, would have been unreasonably invasive to the company. When he met with reporters, Smith also said that his view is that the Commission of Inquiry that the government has planned for B.S.I. would also unfairly delve into the company’s sensitive material that it has a right to keep private. And the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, B.C.C.I. has weighed in on that Commission of Inquiry as well. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister John Briceño, President of the Chamber, Marcello Blake writes about the Chamber’s concern that the Inquiry would investigate the commercial arrangements between two private sector entities. Blake wrote that the government’s intention to conduct the inquiry indicated that the Commission would be convened to examine the modernization of the sugar industry and improve its viability. While the Chamber agrees that there is a need to modernize the sugar industry’s practices, it is of the view that any provision in the Commission’s Terms of Reference to empower it to investigate commercial arrangements between private entities risks setting an undesirable precedent. Quoting in part from Blake’s letter, it states, “Such an action may be seen as an overreach of executive power and is likely to impact any gains made in improving Belize’s viability as an investment destination. Furthermore, the practice of using public resources to resolve commercial disputes involving private entities is not sustainable and parties in dispute must be facilitated to settle using available mechanisms”. The letter ends by suggesting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as the best methods to resolve commercial disputes fairly and that parties to any commercial dispute should be encouraged to pursue this route.
Some weeks ago, News Five brought you the story of the illegal jetty that an investor in Corozal had begun to construct in the Corozal Bay. The jetty, still not completed, was at least three hundred feet into the sea and work was still underway. The residents of the area had raised concerns because the structure was in an area that is part of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and they suspected that the investor had not gotten the necessary permits to build the jetty. News Five checked with the Department of the Environment, which confirmed that there was no permit given to have the structure built and today, Chief Environmental Officer, Anthony Mai told us that the property owner has six weeks from the time the jetty was deemed illegal to remove it.
Anthony Mai
Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer, Dept. of Environment
“Before the jetty was constructed, or is constructed, he would have had to do an EIA, right, because that is what the law says.”
Marion Ali
“Did he do that?”
Anthony Mai
“The law says that any project within a protected area requires an EIA. So we informed him, he didn’t do the EIA and he went ahead and he constructed a portion of the jetty. When we were informed, we went and we issued a stop order and he was charged for that, particularly because it’s an offense to start a project without environmental clearance. When we were about to settle the matter, we were informed that he continued to construct and we met with him, and because of all the history in terms of the violation, we agreed with him that the jetty would be removed altogether. And so this came from him, from the owner: the owner agreed that because of all that has occurred, he agrees to remove the structure and we said that was the best option for us, the Department of Environment as well. And so we have written to him and we have given him a time period within which he needs to remove the jetty.”
PM Briceño then proceeded to emphasize that of every dollar government earns, only twenty-three cents is invested in social programs and infrastructure projects. He also spoke on public investment programs, including the expansion of National Health Insurance.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“In effect, seventy-three cents of every dollar simply keeps the machinery of governance running, leaving twenty-seven cents of every dollar for programs and projects. Now when we took office in 2020, the percentage of total spending available for programs and projects was at twenty-three cents on the dollar spent. In just three years then, we have managed to shrink government’s operating cost by more than five percent, allowing more money to finance programs and projects that will benefit the people. To a sampling of the principal capital projects that will be included in this year’s public investment programs. Of course, these all line up with Belize’s medium term development strategy, as well as the overarching goals of Plan Belize. Thirty-five million dollars to fund the continued expansion of NHI. Three point five million dollars for hemo-dialysis support programs. Twenty-one million to help fund the growing payables related to UDP land acquisitions. Ten million dollars for the repair and maintenance of major highways. Seven point five million dollars to support the ongoing expansion of solid waste transfer stations. Six million dollars for low-income homes and housing repairs. Five point seven million dollars for another phase of the PSW Goldson Highway rehabilitation, four million dollars for the upgrading of the Guinea Grass Road. The paving of the road, Abi Mai, yes.”
This morning, the twenty-seventh annual Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge commenced with much fanfare in the twin towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio. Over the course of four days, sixty-seven paddlers will compete against each other and the currents, as they race one hundred and eighty miles to Belize City’s BelCan Bridge on Monday. This year, hundreds of supporters eagerly await to see who will take home the prize in the event that is recognized for its ability to bring people together. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
This morning, the twin towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio were alive with activity as people from all over the country gathered to secure their spots on the banks of the Macal River for the perfect view of the 2024 La Ruta Maya River Challenge. This year boasted a large turnout, as sixty-seven teams would be vying to be the first to cross the finish line on Monday. The race began at its usual starting point, at the Hawkesworth Bridge in San Ignacio where it journeyed down the Macal River to Banana Bank. Among this year’s competitors are returning champs Slim and Trim Like Guava Limb, who stated they were felling the pressure.
Britney Gordon
“So you guys are the returning champs. How do you feel about that?”
Daniel Cruz
Daniel Cruz, Paddler, Slim & Trim Like Guava Limb “Well, we feel, proud and pressured, right? Because, you know, they will want to win us and we have to try defend it.”
Britney Gordon
“And are you confident that you and your team will be able to pull it off today?”
Daniel Cruz
“First God, yes.”
Fellow Guava Limb team member, Andres Cabb stated that they have put in about four months of training and plan to recite a prayer before the race to prepare.
Andres Cabb
Andres Cabb, Paddler, Slim & Trim Like Guava Limb
“Well right now we just did, we’ll do a prayer and then we’ll get in the water. Warm up. So we don’t stretch no muscle when we start.”
As one of Belize’s biggest events of the year, the race garners a lot of tourist attraction to San Ignacio. Visitors from all over the country travel to witness and participate in the activities. We spoke with first team manger of the first time competitors, the Panthers, Jim Berriman, who is a past paddler himself. Berriman stated that the team is representing BATSUB and while, they did not have a lot of time to prepare, they are excited to participate.
Jim Berriman
Jim Berriman, Team Manager, Panthers Team
“They’ve done a few training sessions only two training sessions actually. First one was about twelve miles, second one was thirty-seven, so they’re not the most experienced, but we’re here to take part.”
Britney Gordon
“Alright, so are you guys confident in your performance today?”
Jim Berriman
“Oh yes, very confident. I think we’ve got a good chance of the win. Yeah, we’ve been eyeing the trophy up, so yeah, definitely.”
The race not only exists to garner tourist attention, but it brings attention to the cultural and environmental significance of the river. Event organizer, Roberto Harrison, highlighted the significance of these aspects to us.
Britney Gordon
“This event started as a way to get people of San Ignacio together to have an event for the long weekend. How has the event elevated itself since its beginning?”
Roberto Harisson
Roberto Harisson, Event Organizer, La Ruta Maya
“First of all, we were looking at something to replace the one day event, the ninth of March, the Baron Bless Day. Normally, small events happening, but nothing much and at the rest of the day and the rest of the weekend. So we coined the idea of putting something that would be more than just San Ignacio. And we came up and finally agreed that we would try this for the event. It’s been a very trying thing over, over the years because initially we looked at promoting not only the race as a sport, but looking at the culture the different communities along this river. There’s a history behind this river.”
Harrison explained that there are several key factors to consider when highlighting the importance of the river, historical, environmental and cultural.
Roberto Harrison “It was the business highway for people from San Ignacio to Belize city and Belize city to San Ignacio, we look at the environmental side because then, and now there’s quite a bit of difference in the banks of the river. So we wanted to look at how we can promote or create that awareness to replenish some of the green in the riverbanks. And we also look at the historical aspect because, again, history has it that this river was used by the Mayas to transport food from up Belize down or down Belize and up to San Ignacio. We looked at the communities themselves during the logging period where we knew that those communities were significant on how the goods were transported up on the road. So we look at the race in three parts; environment, history, and the culture of the river itself.”
Typical for the race is the overturning of canoes, as paddlers battle with the currents rushing against them. One team that encountered this setback was the Belize Coast Guard, which still managed to place third, despite the initial drawback at the start of the race.
Wilberto Daniels
Wilberto Daniels, Captain, Belize Coast Guard Team
“We placed top three today. Unfortunately we had a bad start and that’s the consequences of a bad start, right? But as a team captain, I’m always, my job is to keep the motivation high in my boat. So that managed to pick up back a momentum and start closing back the gap on the other teams. And today was one of the hardest day ever in my years of pulling La Ruta Maya, we really work hard today. Maybe if we had a little more time, maybe we would have closed the gap a little more, but yeah that’s a part of race. And we still have three more days and anything can happen in a race.”
The race ended with a close call as returning champs Guava Limb finished with a point five second lead over Team Lucas Oil Male, which encountered an obstacle just before the finish line. We checked in with today’s victors post-win for an update.
Britney Gordon
“So you just finished the race and you came in first place. How are you feeling?”
Andres Cabb
“First of all, I want to give thanks to God and that have given the opportunity to win the race. And we’re feeling tired and well, we are feeling tired but happy at the same time.”
Britney Gordon
“Do you feel that this win has eased some of the anxiety as the returning champs? “
Javier Guardado
Javier Guardado, Captain, Slim & Trim Like Guava Limb Team “Well, I guess so. So like we want today so tomorrow maybe will be a better day for us.”
The feelings of the paddlers may be mixed, but the race has only just begun and that coveted title is still up for grabs. Britney Gordon for News Five.
