25 Pro-Poor Programs in South Side Belize City

Anthony Mahler

Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations and area representative for Pickstock, Anthony Mahler got up to support the 2023/2024 budget, but not before clapping back at Leader of the Opposition Shyne Barrow and Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton. Now the tourism sector provides for about forty percent of G.D.P.  Mahler shared that contrary to what was presented; there are twenty-five pro-poor programs under the Briceño administration.

Anthony Mahler, Area Rep., Pickstock

“If you listen to the member from Albert, you would think that our administration isn’t doing anything for the south side of Belize that we have totally forgotten the south side of Belize. Remember, for thirteen long years the most powerful ministers in cabinet and on that side of the aisle represented the people of south side and no time during those thirteen years did they have free education on the south side. Never in that thirteen years did they have the community development fund and worse to the PUP.  In fact, Madam Speaker, the member for Mesop said yesterday that my good friend Cordel Hyde was doing a wonderful job in the Ministry of Lands and the member for Albert knows well that there is little land in Belize City – Albert, no land fi true; Pickstock, no land. Madam Speaker, no time in that thirteen years was there a serious raise in the minimum wage; that is why the wage bill has gone up. Madam Speaker, this budget and this government have twenty-five programs to fight against poverty. We have programs in health, programs in education, programs for rural development, programs for human development and the list goes on. This budget has a primary surplus of point three-nine percent compared to the last U.D.P. government that had a primary deficit of ten point eight-one percent, double digits – that’s almost a failed state, Madam Speaker. The member for Mesop also stated that in 2019 our economy was booming. Madam Speaker, this is utter nonsense.  Just take a look at the Statistical Institute of Belize website and you will find the facts.”