With just days to go before Belize’s hurricane season officially begins, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is making sure the public stays informed and prepared. This morning, NEMO joined forces with the National Meteorological Service and the National Hydrological Service to host a special media training session. The goal? To equip journalists with the tools and knowledge they need to report accurately on storms, floods, and other natural disasters. NEMO Coordinator Daniel Mendez emphasized the growing importance of these sessions, especially as climate change continues to affect Belize. “The more prepared our media is, the better we can keep the public safe,” he said.
Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO
“We at NEMO recognize that the media is a very important partner in sharing information during, before, during, and after any disaster event. So the purpose of inviting the media here was for you to listen from the experts, from the National Met Service, the National Hydrological Service, and NEMO. To hear and to respond to any questions that you may have regarding any of these kinds of events. We shared with you all of the correct scientific information. We also shared an information package that you can utilize as we begin this season. And this is just to ensure that we are all sharing the correct information. And so really the purpose was that information sharing with us, with the media. So we are. we do the best job possible in sharing information when we, if we do have to face a hurricane this year.”
Britney Gordon
“What are some of the challenges that NEMO has faced in the past when trying to disseminate information out to the media and the public that prompted a session like this?”
Daniel Mendez
“Of course, there’s always the issue of this misinformation and people listening to different sources and getting different information from many different areas. So what we wanted to do was to remind the media that any questions for any of these should be sent to us. We at NEMO rely on the National Met Service as our primary source of information for any meteorological issues. We rely on the National Hydrological Service for any issues that relate to flooding, and anything that is needed at that point..”
If your car is in desperate need of a wash, the YMCA is inviting you to visit their Shine for the High School Program on May thirty-first. It’s an annual drive-through car wash operated by high school students to raise money for the YMCA’s programs and empower youths through meaningful work. Today, we visited the car wash for a sneak peek of the experience. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
If you’ve been cruising around Belize lately, your car probably looks like it’s been through a desert. Dust is everywhere, but there’s a fresh way to fight back. The Young Men’s Christian Association of Belize (YMCA) is rolling out a drive-through car wash to help you clean up in style. It’s fast, easy, and all for a good cause. Executive Director Dr. Clara Cuellar says the event is more than just a wash, it’s a way to support the community while keeping your ride looking sharp.
Clara Cuellar
Dr. Clara Cuellar, Executive Director, YMCA Belize
“So they’re learning the processes and procedures in this case, in a car wash. And that gives them the opportunity to learn new skills, new vocabulary, and to put it in action. For example, everybody likes to use power wash, but now learn it properly and move the hose around without slipping off the power washer, eithter an electrical cord or the plumbing system. They have to figure that out.”
At YMCA Belize, it’s not just about soap and water, it’s about shaping futures. The organization runs a variety of programs to support young men in the community, from homework help to sports and field trips. Now, they’ve added a drive-through car wash to the mix. It’s designed to teach teens valuable life skills like time management and work ethic, while delivering a sparkling clean car in just fifteen minutes. Seventeen-year-old Youth Leader Devaughn Lopez says the best part? Teamwork.
Devaughn Lopez, Youth Leader, YMCA
“Well, the one thing that I learned from this, well, we always learn is that everything we do here at the YMCA, but it’s teamwork. Because teamwork, if we work as a team to accomplish any goal that we want.”
A ticket costs just twenty dollars, and all funds are channeled back into YMCA programs.
Dr. Clara Cuellar
“When they come here, they are able to get the use of computers for whatever assignments they have. They have free internet, free printing, and all the projects. Parts and components they need. They are, everybody gets something to eat because everybody, when we come home from school, we’re hungry so they get something to eat. So it’s to fund the program of their being inside of it.”
After completing their wash, the participants huddle up to discuss their strengths and weaknesses in the operations, paving the way for a stronger approach. Devaughn explained how grateful he is to be learning these skills and working for a worthy cause.
Devaughn Lopez
“Well these skills are very helpful to me just in case that I like get a car in the future from my adulthood when I have a job and things. So when I do, if I have get my own car clean, instead of going to other businesses to get my wash clean, I could do it myself. So that helps me in the future to save more money.”
The team is hoping to achieve washing one hundred cars in one day. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The car wash will be in operation this Saturday from seven thirty a.m. to five p.m.
The future of the government’s proposal remains uncertain as the joint unions have yet to decide on its acceptance. The Belize National Teachers Union has already issued a 21-day strike notice, and if its members vote against the proposal, industrial action will follow. Meanwhile, the proposal—approved by Cabinet—has sparked debate during the 2025 budget discussions. Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher weighed in, highlighting that teachers and public servants are set to receive a 14% salary increase spread over the next three years.
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service
“Salary adjustment, in reference to the salary adjustment the government is proposing a three percent salary adjustment in 2025 and an additional increment at the start of fiscal year 2026/2027 to make up for the frozen increments in 2021. In addition, the remaining five point five percent and the second frozen increment will be adjusted in a maximum three-year period. Mr. Speaker, each increment represents two point five to three percent of an adjustment. So the actual figure is not eight point five percent, but over three years will equal to fourteen percent in this three-year period.”
Lee Mark Chang didn’t hold back, accusing the Briceño administration of underreporting budget figures—a practice he says has gone on for too long across governments. While supplementary budgets are nothing new, Chang questioned whether repeating past mistakes makes them acceptable. He warned the administration that Belizeans are paying attention—and come 2030, they’ll be ready to vote.
Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia
“The people of Belize deserve full transparency, not just pretty numbers in a book but real answers behind the increases, cuts and omissions. I fully expect the government’s side will say, “dah just wah estimate, we can change that. Don’t let it be a technicality”. If every estimate is consistently surpassed, year after year, that is not budgeting that is called under reporting. Let us look at the fact, in 2024/2025, across multiple ministries, the actual spending exceeded the estimate budget, and it is not by a couple thousand or hundred thousand, it is by millions. This raises serious questions, how does the government cover the difference when actual spending outpaces the budget? There is only one answer, we just have to go borrow more. What does that mean for the Belizean people, more debt service payments in future budgets. If the government continues down this road, budget manipulation, growing debt and mismanaged priorities then the people will not hesitate to give a “shilacking” 2030.”
If you’ve ever flipped on your TV early in the morning, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of the show that’s become a daily ritual for thousands of Belizeans — Open Your Eyes. Airing every weekday on Greater Belize Media, this isn’t just a morning show, it’s a movement. From breaking news to heartwarming community stories, OYE has been waking up the nation with purpose, passion, and plenty of personality. And as it approaches its seventeenth anniversary this November, we take a closer look at how this beloved program continues to inform, inspire, and connect Belizeans at home and abroad.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
If you’re just tuning in, you’re likely already familiar with the show that’s become a staple in households across the nation — Open Your Eyes. Airing every weekday from 6:30 to 8:30 AM on Greater Belize Media, Open Your Eyes isn’t just a morning show — it’s a national institution.
Viannie Reyes
Viannie Reyes, Producer
“It’s a nation that has been looking forward to all of our different, informative segments that we have implemented in our different schedules every day and the creativity that we’ve had and the staff that we’ve had here in the studio to make sure everything is successful. We do not only stream for Belize but Belize and beyond and definitely for the fact that we’ve also been noticed across the Caribbean for bringing back awards from CBU here to Channel 5, Greater Belize Media now. It’s definitely shown that we have what it takes to be international.”
With its dynamic mix of news, interviews, and cultural highlights, OYE reaches a wide and diverse audience from north to south, east to west. But what truly sets it apart? Its power to shape public opinion and keep citizens informed. The show blends news, lifestyle, entertainment, and live interviews, keeping the content fresh and engaging. This variety appeals to a broad demographic.
Paul Lopez
Paul Lopez, Host
“It not only benefits those who watch and those who are in tune with these conversations, but it sets me up to have greater knowledge on these conversations so that I could, outside of this setting, do my job, outside of this setting, better. As well, I can have more engaging conversations.”
Whether it’s breaking down the latest headlines, spotlighting community heroes, or diving into the issues that matter most — Open Your Eyes is where Belize wakes up informed, inspired, and ready to take on the day. With its slogan “Staat Yuh Mawnin Right,” the show has established a strong identity that resonates with viewers and sets a positive tone for the day.
Monilee Aspinall
Monilee Aspinall, Assistant Producer
“I never thought I’d be waking up at four a.m. everyday, but being able to bring something new to the table every single morning is what I consider my cup of coffee. And it’s allowed me to get a small taste of what media, journalists, people who are on the go early in the morning as well, so that I could relate to them better and cater to what they’d like to see on their morning commutes.”
Every weekday morning, this top-rated show on Channel 5 Belize shines a spotlight on the stories that matter most, from classrooms to clinics, from youth centers to startup hubs. By highlighting initiatives in education, health, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship, Open Your Eyes is more than just a morning show, it’s a catalyst for national development.
Paul Lopez
“I think, as hosts on Open Your Eyes, one of our primary responsibility is accountability, more so holding those in authority accountable through the questions we ask. A lot of times, the questions we ask most times are questions that the public has, and so we glean from those questions based on the conversations and the suggestions, and we bring those questions to, for example, the prime minister. If we are to ask him about the budget, if we are to ask him about a current national issue. We glean from the concerns of the public and we present questions, for example, to the Minister of Sports on issues related to sports.”
Whether it’s showcasing a young innovator’s big idea, diving into health awareness campaigns, or giving voice to educators and community leaders, OYE is helping Belize move forward, one conversation at a time.
Viannie Reyes
“This year, 2025, November 2025 makes seventeen years of Open Your Eyes’ anniversary and I have to say that I am more than honored to be here to experience all the changes, all the success, and all the different fun memories that we’ve had over the past couple of years that I’ve been here.”
With interactive features like WhatsApp, email, and social media, viewers aren’t just watching the show — they’re part of it. Whether it’s sending in a question for a guest, sharing a community event, or just saying good morning, the audience has a direct line to the studio. And it’s the little touches that make a big difference, like birthday shoutouts and community highlights. These moments create a sense of connection, turning a national broadcast into a personal experience. It’s this inclusivity that makes Open Your Eyes more than just a show — it’s a community. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
There’s a wave of empowerment rising in Southern Belize. In the villages of Gales Point and Mullins River, residents are turning opportunity into action. This week, sixty Belizeans proudly completed a skills training program designed to boost livelihoods and open new doors, part of a major initiative tied to the Coastal Plain Highway Project. With support from BELTRAIDE and several international and local partners, these communities are proving that when opportunity knocks, they’re ready to answer. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the story from Gales Point.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Livelihood Strategic Action Plan aims to build economic resilience and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in Gales Point Village and Mullins River Village. This week, fifty-nine villagers proudly completed an entrepreneurial development training program, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to launch and grow their own businesses. But that’s not all, BELTRAIDE, the agency leading the charge, has been working together with the community to formalize and register a total of eighty micro and small enterprises.
Ishmael Quiroz
Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director, BELTRAIDE
“BELTRAIDE for its part has been tremendously honored to be the lead agency in the entrepreneurial development component of this project, which focuses on the formalization of businesses, capacity building and increasing market access, and what these things speak to is helping you to register your businesses, register your business names because they are yours and they’re sacred and special, and we’re giving you that security capacity, building through the training, through the knowledge, through the refreshers that you’ve heard during the lessons, and of course increasing market access, helping you to be able to get to your clients, to your customers, and to retain them.”
When communities are given the right tools, they don’t just survive, they thrive. That’s the vision behind the Belize Social Investment Fund’s latest efforts. By backing initiatives that build stronger local economies and support self-reliance, SIF is helping to lay the foundation for long-term success in villages across the country.
Carlos Tun
Carlos Tun, Executive Director, Belize Social Investment Fund
“We are best known for our contribution to infrastructure projects in the areas of water education and health. But an equally important pillar of our mission is the social component. it is this component. That brings us here today as we witness the tangible results of a program focused not just on infrastructure, but on people. This training initiative is a critical part of empowering individuals and communities by enhancing knowledge, by nurturing innovation, and by fostering entrepreneurship.”
Transforming communities, one project at a time—that’s the goal behind the UK-funded Coastal Road Upgrading Project. Backed by a generous thirty-two-million-dollar grant from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, this initiative is already making a difference in places like Gales Point. And for residents like Leroy Andrewin, the impact is personal.
Leroy Andrewin
Leroy Andrewin, Gales Point Mantee Resident
“Now you all give us the tools to work with and everything, and we have the seed to plant. And so when we plant the seed, we hope for the seed to go and make Gales Point into a better Gales Point business to spread, to help spread the news about this business, and thank the teachers, especially teachers, and you all to do this for us. Gales Point is a beautiful village and we always feel like we’re left behind. But now this happened to Gales Point. We know we didn’t left behind. We are part of the system.”
The program supported forty-three female-owned and thirty-seven male-owned businesses in sectors such as food, agriculture, tourism, and electrical sectors. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The organization’s plan to further support the villages growing entrepreneurial community by hosting a Buy Belizean Expo in Dangriga Town on June fourteenth, 2025.
It’s budget season in Belmopan and the numbers are big, bold, and stirring up plenty of debate. For the next three days, members of the House of Representatives are deep in discussion over a nearly two-billion-dollar national budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister John Briceño laid out his one-point-seven-eight-billion-dollar plan, covering everything from roads and infrastructure to education, healthcare, and social support. But not everyone is convinced. Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton came out swinging today, calling the budget “optimism passed with selective statistics.” In her opening remarks, she argued that while the Prime Minister’s presentation may have been polished, it missed the mark on addressing the real, urgent needs of everyday Belizeans.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“The government has prioritized a single high visibility intervention, the NHI roll out for the Cayo district. While neglecting other key components, boost, grocery bag assistance, housing for the underprivileged, skills training for the unemployed, healthcare for the elderly and abuse, and labor protections for those who are victimized. All are necessary for a comprehensive and resilient social protection system. It is on this platform that the PUP was first elected to govern in 2020 and again in 2025. The rallying cry, the promise of plan Belize and Plan Belize two 2.0 is that everybody fuh win, todos ganamos, we the stay pan track, let us be fair. While the roll out of our community-based healthcare made accessible to all Belizeans is indeed welcome, one program does not a system make. I hope to make the case on behalf of all Belizeans that the numbers presented by this Briceño administration does not, and let me say that again, does not signal performance. Rather it reveals a government that is obsessed with spending and allergic to accountability, reform and measuring the economic impact of their failing social protection policies.”
Freetown Area Representative and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, didn’t hold back during today’s budget debate. He dismissed Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton’s response as nothing more than “empty, hollow rhetoric.” Fonseca criticized her remarks as weak and uninspired, even suggesting her notes were filled with Google searches and ChatGPT-generated content. He also took a jab at the opposition’s presence in the House, pointing out that Hugo Patt and Miguel Guerra were both absent from the debate, leaving their side short on representation. Fonseca’s comments added another layer of tension to what’s already a fiery exchange over the proposed national budget been.
Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown
“She said we are not here to just criticize and oppose, we are here to be balanced and so, but the absolute betrayal of that desire was almost immediate when she started to talk. What followed was empty hollow rhetoric, this dark meaningless rhetoric which offered no vision for the country not one plan for the country. She said nothing about what the UDP could do, no plan for the country, no vision, ideas, solutions. Typical UDP, so in my view it was a very weak, lazy response. I say that, before anybody say the lady weak, lazy, I said that about the former leader too, his response was always lazy. No thought or effort had gone into the preparation of their presentation. Just lot of googling, lot of google thing extracted and paced, a lot of cut and pace or googling. Chat GPT nuh. Very disappointing. Even two members of the other team on her side already have a slim team over there, a maga team and two of them couldn’t bother to show up. Two of them could not get them selves out of bed to witness the leader of the opposition.”
The budget debate continued with sharp criticism from the Opposition today, this time over a twenty-six-million-dollar loan motion tied to the Western Highway upgrade. Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton took aim at the Briceño administration’s infrastructure strategy, questioning its priorities. She pointed out that while nearly half of the highway project is being funded through this loan, not a single dollar is being invested in upgrading bus terminals, a key part of the public transport system. Panton argued that the government is leaning too heavily on road construction as its main economic driver, while overlooking the everyday needs of commuters.
Tracy Taegar Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“To tell the Belizean people, at our very first working session, before the prime minister could dot the last I and cross the last a loan motion was approved for the sum of twenty-six million dollars to over forty-seven percent of road repairs from Democracia to Belmopan. According to the member for Cayo South, who is responsible for the ministry of housing and infrastructure development, urgent repairs are needed. To listen to his logic one would never understand that millions have been invested over the years for highway upkeep that include this eighteen mile stretch. There was a time when the member of Cayo south use to stand up and make the case that people cannot eat streets. Now this is lauded as this government’s preferred strategy to keep the wheels of this economy going. This crowd the take we for kunu munu.”
Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde is standing firmly behind the Briceño administration’s proposed 2025/2026 budget, calling it the largest in Belize’s post-independence history. During today’s House Sitting, Hyde didn’t hold back. He took a jab at Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton, questioning whether she had even listened to the same budget presentation delivered two weeks ago. Hyde also took a moment to reflect on the state of the economy when the Briceño administration took office in November 2020, painting a picture of how far the country has come under their leadership.
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister
“I rise in support of this budget, the biggest in post-independence Belize, one point seven eight billion Belize dollars, three hundred and three million dollars for the ministry of education alone, a hundred and eighty-one million for the ministry of health and wellness. A hundred and sixteen million for the ministry of home affairs, eighty- four million for the ministry of National Defense, six hundred and ninety-eight million for wages, salaries and exgratia payments and pension for our teachers and public officer. We are putting our money where our mouths are. So we forget that when we took over in November of 2020 that it was absolute worst of times. It was in the middle of COVID and tens of thousands of Belizeans were not working and hundred we drying, a total of six hundred and eighty-five. And we had to borrow a million a day to pay salaries for teachers and public officers. We were on the edge of an economic cliff. We were facing a most uncertain future, but the prime minister led and the rest is history.”
