Unions and Government Representatives Meet Over Increment Freeze

Representatives from the joint unions and their counterparts from the government held another in a series of meetings today. The two sides have been trying to work out the finer details of how and when the increment freeze on public officers’ and teachers’ salaries will be lifted. And while many on the wayside might have […]

Senator Smith: We Do Not Agree to Link Discussions on Increments to Pension Reform

Belize National Teachers’ Union President, Senator Elena Smith told the media that the discussions were frank and cordial, but that no definitive conclusions have yet been met. But one thing is for sure: the unions are not in agreement with the linking of the unfreezing of increments with pension reform.   Senator Elena Smith, President, […]

Government Negotiator Says Retroactive Increments is Not a Reality This Year

Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca, who is on the government’s team, explained in greater detail. He said that aside from the unions wanting their increments to be restored, they also want to collect their increments for the past two years. That, he explained, is not a matter that can be realized this year.   Francis […]

Government Sets Up Taskforce to Address Inflation and Price Gouging

The global issue of inflation has sharply increased the cost of supplies, as well as the cost of goods and services in Belize.  Notwithstanding government subsidies to the productive and transportation sectors, among other initiatives and achievements, the cost of living remains high and is affecting all Belizeans.  Earlier today, it was announced via cabinet […]

Would Lifting the Increment Freeze Require Tweaking the Budget?

When the talk of lifting the increment freeze comes into play, the question of whether or not the government might have to adjust its expenditure for its National Budget to reflect this new addendum becomes a live issue, but according to P.S.U. President Flowers, not necessarily.   Dean Flowers, President, P.S.U “If you’re going to […]

Pension Reform Will Have New Terms for New Enlistments into the Public Service

The government has been pushing the point that the current pension scheme is not sustainable and that there will have to be a reform of sorts. Along with the discussions for pension reform is the suggestion that there be new conditions for new employees who are enlisted on system.   Francis Fonseca, Government Negotiator “We […]

A Tribunal to Review D.O.E.’s Decision on Waterloo Project

The Ministry of Sustainable Development has established a tribunal to review the decision of the Department of Environment’s decision regarding the Port of Belize Expansion and Cruise Tourism project.  As we reported in late 2022, Department of the Environment did not grant environmental clearance to Waterloo Investment Holdings Limited for the Port Expansion and Cruise […]

San Estevan Benefits from First Digital Connect Center

In tonight’s episode of Belize on Reel, News Five travels to San Estevan, Orange Walk District where the inauguration of Digital Connect Center was held.  Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.   Isani Cayetano, Reporting Many may not know or remember, but San Estevan was the first town in Orange Walk District.  Before […]

Belize Benefits from Ten-million-dollar Compact Development Funding

The governments of Belize and the United States, along with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, M.C.C., a U.S. government agency, signed a Compact Development Funding Grant Agreement on Wednesday evening. M.C.C compacts are five-year grant programs that aim to reduce poverty by increasing economic growth. Belize had submitted two concept papers to the corporation that described […]

Taiwan Trains K.H.M.H Radiologist for Re-established Unit

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital has four newly-trained radiologists to complement its Radiology Unit. The project was initially introduced in 2019, but was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As soon as business returned to normal, efforts were renewed to re-establish the unit. The hospital, along with the Taiwan Embassy, through its new Ambassador to Belize, […]

How Are the Finances of the Belize City Council?

While we had the opportunity of speaking with the Belize City Mayor on Wednesday, we asked him how the City Council’s finances are performing. This comes a year after the reopening of business and citizens’ payments of trade and property taxes at that time were still less than impressive.   Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor […]

Belize City Street Repairs To Prioritize New Areas

Repairs to Belize City’s road infrastructure continue to be carried out in phases. Mayor Bernard Wagner explained that there is a list of streets that will be prioritized in the coming weeks and months, including quite a few on the south side.   Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor “We have a robust street, street plan […]

D.R.R.: Including the Most Vulnerable in the Decision Making Process

Inclusion is viewed as the key to essential disaster risk management and reduction. Women, children, youths, the elderly, the indigenous population and persons living with disabilities are among the most affected by disasters at the local level. As a result, their voices play an important role in the creation of national and local strategies. The […]

The Challenge With “Building Back Better” In the Caribbean

During the negotiation period of the Sendai Framework the “Build Back Better” concept was introduced as a post-disaster response towards creating more resilient nations and societies. It is considered to be one of the most important concepts in the framework, and touches issues pertaining to the restoration of physical infrastructure, revitalization of livelihood and economy, […]

Increments for Public Officers and Teachers to Resume in April

Increments for teachers and public officers will resume at the start of the next fiscal year, on April first, but it hasn’t been without much back and forth between the unions and the government.  Both entities are set to meet on Thursday to finalize the return of the annual wage adjustment.  Ahead of that meeting […]

Mayor Says After Re-assessment, Digi Park Parking Meters Could Be Removed

The installation of the parking meters in front of the parking spaces at the Digi Park in Belize City has raised the ire of the public. Some are saying it goes against the order of business for those who vend from the park itself. Others argue that it does not support family-oriented events at the […]

Minister Bernard Debunks Allegation of Grabbing Green Space as Personal Property

And while we were with Minister Bernard, our colleagues posed a question to him about a one-acre parcel of land in Carmelita Village that was purportedly allocated as a green space but that now bears his name as the owner. The minister responded by saying that the report is a political ploy.   Kevin Bernard, […]

Is There Tension Brewing Over Village Boundaries in the South?

Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Dolores Balderamos-Garcia has written to the President of the Toledo Alcaldes Association, as well as the Program Manager for the Maya Leaders Alliance in respect of an issue that is being reported by the chairwoman of Barranco Village.  It is also a concern that is being raised by the chairperson […]

G.O.B. Says Recent Compliance Meeting with Maya Representatives was Successful

While speaking with Minister Dolores Balderamos-Garcia earlier today, she provided an update on a recent compliance hearing that was held between the Government of Belize and representatives of the Maya communities in southern Belize.  The compliance hearing is part of a series of activities that were prescribed by the Caribbean Court of Justice in respect […]

Tertiary Level Students Meet with Members of the P.C.C.

Today, at the Jaguar Auditorium at the University of Belize, Belmopan Campus, students from U.B., Galen and other tertiary institutions got an opportunity to attend a presentation by members of the People’s Constitution Commission and its secretariat. The students were able to ask questions and voice their concerns, even make suggestions as it relates to […]

Mid-term Review on Sendai Framework Highlights Communication Challenges

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is the single-most important global agreement for the preservation of life and investments in the event of a disaster. But, this is probably the first time you have ever heard any mention of it. And, if you are among the few globally who have an understanding of […]

Early Warning System Shows Great Success in the Caribbean

Multi-hazard early warning systems are playing an integral role in the preservation of lives across the globe, in the event of an impending hazard. For example, when a tropical cyclone is expected to impact Belize, through its early warning system the National Meteorological Service of Belize can make predictions about the storm’s projected path, its […]

CDEMA’s Executive Director “The Investment Has to Be at A Transformative Level”

And while multi-hazard early warnings systems have yielded a great deal of success within the Caribbean, Executive Director Elizabeth Riley, of Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency,  says that to truly realize the vision of the UN Secretary General, as it pertains to early warning systems for all, there is a need for greater access to […]

U.S. Government Donates CESSNA Aircraft to B.D.F.

Stake Bank Goes Tit for Tat with Portico Over Definitive Agreement

There is a war of words being waged by the principals of two cruise port projects in Belize and the back-and-forth via press releases continues to reveal the intricacies of the agreements that were struck with the government.  On February twenty-second, Chief Executive Officer David Gegg issued a blistering response to a letter that was […]