VOICE OF THE COMMON MAN PLANBELIZE: DEVELOPMENT BEYOND ECONOMICS

BY HILLY BENNETT

The PlanBelize theme, “Everybody fi Win”, has been scoffed at, ridiculed, and criticized. For many, however, it is a catchy slogan for the People’s United Party (PUP), and it was not a gimmick in any way, shape or form. A gimmick would be the current happenings within the opposition.

The great achievements under this administration are nothing short of amazing. The jewel has been turned around economically in record time, despite the mess and deep waters that the previous government left behind. There is the question, however, in terms of what role the macro policy successes of the PUP play in the lives of the common man and women? Does the great macroeconomic framework connect to the micro level and its social policy design in creating social safety nets and social protection?

“Everybody fi Win” means the PUP returning to its founding principles and philosophy of social justice, embedded in the Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope Paul VI, on the Development of Peoples, Populorum Progressio. His letter spoke on, “The development of peoples, who are making very great efforts to free themselves from the hardship of hunger, poverty, endemic diseases, and ignorance, who are seeking a more bountiful share in the benefits flowing from civilization and demanding that greater value is in fact set upon their qualities as human beings, and who are constantly giving their attention to greater growth, was embraced in the Papal social justice doctrine.”

Erwin Contreras, Minister for Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce under the United Democratic Party (U.D.P), signed in March 2016, the Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS) 2016-2019. The strategy encompassed and reflected “a whole-system approach, and acknowledging increasing prosperity, eradication of poverty, improving social cohesion, caring for our natural resources, and securing peace and Justice for all Belizeans as inter-connected goals. Under the U.D.P. several social assistance programs existed: Building Opportunities for Our Social Transformation (BOOST), which conferred benefits to households or individuals who qualified; The Food Pantry Program, which allowed low-income families to purchase groceries at government-subsidized cost; The Community Action for Public Safety (CAPS) Project, a three-year intervention targeted at reducing youth involvement in crime; The Youth and Community Transformation Project, a five-year Project ( launched in 2013 ), aiming to reduce the vulnerability of children and youth to crime and gang. These social programs became the greatest hustle for the red hydra’s regime and a sinkhole in the people’s purse.

A Panamanian Advisor to social policy in the region cited “errors of exclusion and errors of inclusion” for the failures of the U.D.P. social programs. The neediest of the needy and the poorest of the poor were left off the programs, whilst the UDP Barrowcudas and gutter snipers leeched off the backs of the poor, the marginalized, and the downtrodden masses.

The super majority victory at the polls in November 2020 has turned things around. There has been continuing economic growth, a reduction in unemployment, and poverty. Additionally, there has been the expansion of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program, the Southside free education pilot program which has expanded to Schools down south, and the single mother’s home and grocery bag programs are all part and parcel of the rebuilding of the social infrastructure by the PUP Government and the John Briceño led administration; a paradigm shift from the incompetent and corrupt Barrow Government.

The social fabric of our society has been repaired through an integrated policy framework that links macroeconomic policy with social policies and creates the social effects of economic policy. That “whole-system approach “preached by Contreras was overcome by UDP inertia. The cadre of economic experts under the PUP understands that monetary, fiscal, and exchange rate policies must be complemented with structural reform resulting in major consequences for the social well-being of Belizean society.

Clearly, the PlanBelize theme, “Everybody Fi Win” has and continues to serve the common man and women, touching their lives through employment, educational, and business (MSMEs) opportunities. This Peoples United Party Government understands that there can never be true development without the development of people. It is a development beyond economics. The government of the people by the people.

Government Of Belize

BELIZE SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND III PROJECT INVITATION FOR BIDS Amendment and Republication of the notice published on March 24th,2023

The Government of Belize (GOBZ) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in an amount equivalent to USD$10,000,000 towards the cost of the Belize Social Investment Fund III Project and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under this contract. Payment by CDB will be made only at the request of (GOBZ) and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject, in all respects, to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than (GOBZ) shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

The Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Development through the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF). BSIF has contracted Consultants who will assist with delivering the project.

BSIF now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the Completion of the Corazon Creek Technical High School Building, Corazon Creek Village, Toledo District, Belize. The works include, but are not limited to the following:

The proposed scope includes the construction of a two storey ferro-concrete building measuring 164’-11” long by 42’-2” wide complete with eight (8) classrooms, two (2) administrative spaces, two (2) male and female students’ bathrooms, two (2) male and female teachers’ lavatories, storage spaces and an access ramp up to the ground floor of the building to accommodate users with disabilities.

Works shall include but not be limited to the following activities: proposed compacted backfill to existing foundation; construction of reinforced concrete ground floor and upper floor slabs; construction of masonry walls; construction of reinforced concrete columns and beams; construction of a reinforced concrete roof; construction of concrete staircases; application of concrete rendering; construction of ceilings; installation of windows and doors; installation of electrical, plumbing, water supply and wastewater systems; application of surface finishes; and the undertaking of landscaping activities. Adherence to the contract’s environmental and safety protocols during construction is of paramount importance.

Consideration will be limited to firms or joint ventures of firms, which are legally incorporated or otherwise organised in, and have their principal place of business in an eligible country and are either: (a) more than 50% beneficially owned by a citizen or citizens and/or a bona fide resident or residents of an eligible country, or by a body corporate or bodies corporate meeting these requirements; or

(b) owned or controlled by the Government of an eligible country provided that it is legally and financially autonomous and operated under the commercial law of an eligible country and otherwise meets the eligibility requirements of the CDB Guidelines for Procurement (2006).

All countries are Eligible.

Eligible bidders will be required to submit full qualification information with their bids establishing their eligibility to bid and qualification to perform the contract if the bid is accepted. Tender and qualification information are to be submitted in the English Language on the prescribed forms inserted in the Bid Documents. Submissions that do not provide the information required, or do not demonstrate the prospective contractor’s ability to perform satisfactorily, will not qualify and will not be considered for further evaluation.

Qualification requirements include, inter alia:

(a) an average annual turnover (defined as certified payments received for works in progress or completed) within the last 5 years of at least One Million Four Hundred Thousand Belize Dollars (BZ$1,400,000.00) (US$700,000.00)

(b) a demonstrable cash flow (including access to credit) for One Hundred Fifty Thousand Belize Dollars (BZ$150,000.00) (US$75,000.00)

(c) experience as a prime contractor, joint venture member, management contractor, or subcontractor, of at least four (4) assignments of a nature, scope and complexity comparable to the proposed project activity within the last five (5) years (to comply with this requirement, works quoted should be at least 80 percent complete).

Bidding Documents may be obtained by eligible bidders from the first address below for a non-refundable fee of BZ$150 (USD$75). Requests may be made by written application including email. Written applications must be clearly marked: “Request for Bidding Documents for the Completion of the Corazon Creek Technical High School Building, Corazon Creek Village, Toledo District, Belize.”, along with the name, address and contact information of the bidder for which Bidding Documents are being requested. Payment should be by cash deposited to, or Bank transfer to BSIF’s Bank Account only. Banking details can be requested at the address below. Cash payment will not be accepted at the BSIF Office. Applicants who request that documents be forwarded to them must submit an account number from a local courier agent that accepts freight collect charges. Documents will be promptly dispatched, but under no circumstance will the Government of Belize or their authorised agent be held responsible for late delivery or loss of the documents so transmitted.

Submissions in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Bid for the Completion of the Corazon Creek Technical High School Building, Corazon Creek Village, Toledo District, Belize.”, must be received at the second address below not later than 10:00am (Belize Local Time) on 22nd May 2023 Bid opening will take place immediately after the deadline for submission at the address below in the presence of bidders representatives who choose to attend. Qualification information only must be simultaneously submitted electronically to the third address below.

All bids must be accompanied by a “Bid Security” of: BZ$8,000.00 (USD$4,000.00). Late bids will be rejected. The Government of Belize reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, and to annul the process and reject all bids, at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected prospective bidder(s) or any obligation to inform the affected prospective bidder(s) of the grounds for the Government of Belize action. The Government of Belize will not defray any costs incurred by any bidder in the preparation of bids.

1. Address for Correspondence

Senior Procurement Officer Social Investment Fund 3rd Floor, #1902 Constitution Drive Belmopan Cayo District Tel: 8220239/822-0508 E-mail: angeles.itzab@sifbelize.org cc: carlos.tun@sifbelize.org kyla.cho@sifbelize.org

3. Email Address for Completed Qualification Information Only Procurement Officer Email: procurement@caribank.org

2. Address for Bid Submission and Bid

Social Investment Fund 3rd Floor, #1902 Constitution Drive Belmopan Cayo District Tel: 822-0239/822-0508