B.P.P. Launches Progressive Plan of Action

The two mass political parties, the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party, launched the manifestos last week. Today, the Belize Progressive party which says it is fielding twenty-five candidates released its manifesto. The B.P.P. is focusing on the family, the health of the nation, economic development as well as foreign policy.  News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The launch of what is being billed as a progressive plan by the newly-formed third party is the final campaign platform to be rolled out ahead of general elections next Wednesday.  The policies of the Belize Progressive Party are quite straightforward, beginning with the strengthening of the Belizean family.

Elizabeth Dena

Elizabeth Dena, Freetown Standard Bearer, B.P.P.

“The Belize Progressive Party shall immediately create the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, consolidating departments of women, youth, human development and all relevant departments under one single portfolio.  We shall create and introduce a spiritual value-based family curriculum in our education system at all levels.  We shall create and offer more incentives for training in social work with emphasis on family, with competitive compensation to make this field attractive to the brightest minds of our country.”

Of equal importance is the health of the Belizean people, both physical and mental.

Jose Luis Uk Espat

Dr. Jose Luis Uk Espat, Albert Standard Bearer, B.P.P.

“We will ensure that the quality of service being provided under the NHI is of the highest quality so as to guarantee the optimum benefit of the true meaning of NHI.  We will initiate the implementation of a psychiatric ward which is very, very, very important in so many aspects in this country and it not only affects health but it also affects some cases in the criminal aspect.”

Of course, driving the country forward is sustainable economic development, one of several fundamental pillars on which the nation is buttressed.

Patrick Rogers

Patrick Rogers, Party Leader, B.P.P.

“The B.P.P. strategy is to move away from the piecemeal approach that has been used by successive administrations.  We shall engage the various industries, yet this shall be translated into an overall national development plan in this regards.  We will create a more robust environment in which the expansion into value added products can be explored, developed, marketed and distributed both locally and abroad.  A key component of our strategy involves providing the necessary resources for the productive sector to ensure that they can provide in abundance for the local market and implement an aggressive approach towards finding and securing the NICH market for Belizean products.”

Belize’s foreign policy, should the B.P.P. form the next government, will also be revisited and will address directly the territorial dispute with Guatemala.

Paco Smith

Paco Smith, Chair, B.P.P.

“It is the position of the B.P.P. to proactively assert Belize’s rightful position as an independent nation and engage in the diplomatic arena with full confidence of our place among the sovereign nations of the world.  To that end, it is the primary intention of this party to ensure that Belize’s territorial integrity is maintained and respected to ensure 8867 today, 8867 tomorrow, 8867 forever.  Of particular significance the B.P.P. identifies Guatemala’s unfounded claim to Belize’s sovereign territory as paramount.  As such, our policy on this issue is premised on the foundation that one: dispelling the notion that going to the ICJ is the only course of action and two: exploring alternative avenues toward settlement that shall not place any portion of Belize’s territory whether terrestrial or maritime at risk.”

That certainly depends on support from the electorate.  Like other established mass parties, the B.P.P. is also turning to the voting population for a chance to materialize these pledges.

Elizabeth Dena

“All we need for you to do is to be willing to walk with us and get these plans and policies implemented.  I thank you my Belizean brothers and sisters for the opportunity to even stand here before you as an ordinary citizen just like yourself with the hope of moving our wonderful and beautiful Belize to the place where it should have been a long time ago.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.