Belize Times June 14, 2020- Complete Economic Crisis

APP

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 JUNE 2020 | ISSUE NO: 5202

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.biz | $1.00

FULL BLOWN ECONOMIC CRISIS

“Families are struggling to put food on the table and pay for basic services.

Our borders are closed. Our agriculture and productive sector remain fragile.

Our people are uncertain about the future. Belize, which was already in economic recession before Covid-19 came along, is now in a full blown economic crisis. It is now time for us to focus on the way forward.”

PUP Party Leader Virtual Press Conference – June 10

Pg. 2

DESPERATE DEAN DIGS DEEPER DEBT-HOLE

ALAN

POLLARD JR. THE ANSWER FOR QUEEN SQUARE

Pg. 8

Faber and the UDP: CUTTING OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURES Pg. 2

Pg. 2

BELIZE, 7TH WORSE OF 195 IN IMF’S BOOK Pg. 8

REGISTER TO VOTE; SO THAT YOU CAN VOTE PUP

02 2

14 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

EXCERPTS FROM THE PARTY LEADER’S STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA

VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE JUNE 10, 2020 When the Prime Minister invited me as the leader of the Opposition to join the National Oversight Committee I accepted the invitation after consultation with my Party and agreed to serve as Co-Chair of the National Oversight Committee. This was not a difficult decision. I knew then, as I know now, that this was the right thing to do. Our country was facing a global pandemic -- Covid-19 which required all hands and minds on deck.

I therefore felt it was my duty and obligation to do everything I could to support the work of our Public Health Authorities and to present a united front to the Belizean people in the fight against the coronavirus.

As a Party we made available some of the very best of our human resources to fully engage in and contribute to the discussion, planning and work of our nation’s Covid-19 response. We contributed at every level and I am convinced that our contributions were effective and meaningful. I am fully satisfied that the PUP’s participation on the National Oversight Committee and on the other committees contributed significantly to our country’s successful efforts to contain the coronavirus.

I am proud of my Party’s participation in this national effort and I thank all those who gave so selflessly of their time, energy and ideas. I also wish to thank the Prime Minister and his CEO, the representative of the Council of Churches, Chamber of Commerce, the NTUCB and the Association of NGO’s who all serve on the National Oversight Committee.

As a nation, we are of course most proud of the tremendous dedication and sacrifice of our frontline personnel, from the healthcare workers to shopkeepers and drugstore operators who kept going while most of us had to stay at home. We also must thank our national security workers.

But most important I want to thank the Belizean people who continue to do their part to practice social distance, good hygiene and for being patient and cooperative.

This has been a very difficult and challenging period for our country and people. Two wonderful Belizeans lost their lives to Covid-19. Sixteen others tested positive and recovered fully. Two Belizeans have recently tested positive and will hopefully soon be declared COVID free. Of course, we cannot ignore the fact that thousands of Belizeans lost their jobs. Many small businesses have closed their doors. The tourism industry is effectively on lock down.

Families are struggling to put food on the table and pay for basic services. Our borders are closed. Our agriculture and productive sector remain fragile. Our people are uncertain about the future. Belize, which was already in economic recession before Covid-19 came along, is now in a full blown economic crisis. It is now time for us to focus on the way forward.

It is now time for the PUP to roll out our plans to rescue our country, to put our economy back on a path to growth and to look ahead so that we can present our plans for good jobs, better education, less crime and more opportunity.

The other issue I wish to address this afternoon is the proposed issuance by the Prime Minister of 30 million dollar treasury notes. I found this out like the rest of the nation via media reports, it was never raised or discussed at the level of the National Oversight Committee or at the Economic Oversight Team.

Today our National Executive discussed this issue and raised many important question which we believe the nation should consider.

1.

What will this do to our national debt?

2.

How will this affect our position with the ‘superbond’ holders?

3.

Can this be done without the approval of the National Assembly?

4.

What will these funds be used for?

I have asked our Party’s Economic Representative Chris Coye to join me today to share our points on this issue.

DESPERATE DEAN DIGS DEEPER DEBT-HOLE Thursday, 11 June 2020

At the 11th hour, just months away from being kicked out of office and leaving behind a stinking, rotten legacy of corruption, incompetence and unjust enrichment of friends and family, Dean Oliver Barrow has done the unthinkable, and not for the first time, illegally subjected the people of Belize to another $60M in debt. Mr. Barrow’s treasury note in US dollars, launched just last week, is a clear sign of the desperation of a man who, when he leaves office, will have left the people of Belize more than THREE BILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT. Earlier this year, in a landmark decision, the highest court in the land ruled that Barrow had illegally spent $1.5Billion of the people’s money without the permission of the House. For the first time in the nation’s history, a Prime Minister was subjected to the shame and disgrace of being found GUILTY of violating the Constitution of the country. Barrow should have resigned, immediately, and should have been criminally punished for his actions, but instead, he has ignored the ruling of the Court.

Instead of learning a lesson, the Prime Minister has once again embarked on a move which will have disastrous implications for Belizeans. Just months away from leaving office, Barrow has effectively saddled us with another $60M loan which we will all have to pay back in five years, long after he has left office.

Long before COVID-19 hit Belize, our nation was in deep despair, industries all but wrecked and poverty at an all-time high. Now, as what may very well turn out to be his farewell to the people, Barrow has shafted us again.

The PUP’s legal advisors have stated clearly that the move by Barrow is illegal, and cannot be made without amendments to various acts in the law.

But the Prime Minister does not care. He has broken the law before, with impunity and without repercussions (at least not yet), and he intends to do so again.

Mr. Barrow and his crooked bunch in Cabinet has reduced Belize to a beggar nation, long before COVID-19, and now the IMF and other IFIs are refusing to bail us out in our time of need. While many other countries have gotten concessionary financial assistance because of the pandemic, nobody has paid Belize any attention when the Prime Minister has gone begging. While the IMF has offered financial assistance to many other countries at low, low interest and with few conditions, Belize is in a whole different category, unable to access such largesse.

For weeks now Dean Barrow has sat in front of this nation, assuring the public that millions and millions and millions will be coming in soon, from all sorts of IFIs. Money to assist farmers, and assist with COVID and assist with poverty relief and assist with the unemployment situation and assist with all sorts of things – and nothing has come in yet. Mr. Barrow played big and bad for far too long, and now the chickens have come home to roost.

Unfortunately, it is the people of Belize who will continue to pay for Barrow’s bombast and megalomania. It is time for you to go, Mr. Barrow, so that the people can elect new leaders to right the wrongs that you and the UDP have wrought in our country. CALL ELECTIONS NOW!

2020

Faber and the UDP: CUTTING OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURES Within just 4 days the UDP told our children and youths that they will have Millions more to pay in UDP ground-breaking loans AND that simultaneously their educational preparation will be cut short. Even as our children took the brunt of the curfew and were locked down for most of 3 months, they will be taking another UDP hit where it hurts the most—their future and their quality of life. The UDP cold heartedly in a State of Education announced Cut after Cut to what they still calling our children’s education. Education was already short changed as is but the UDP finds education expendable.

Even as the Prime Minister said that there was money for education in his last press conference. Did he lie?

Patrick Faber finally got his airtime and got noticed for the most horrible of reasons. Prime Minister Barrow’s stating that there was money for Education didn’t mean he had enough.

Education was already lean so when he, Faber and the UDP cut, they are slicing directly at our children’s muscle—their future and Belize’s progress. These cuts are insult to injury.

Already our children are saddled with almost four billion is debt. Now, their educational preparation is curtailed along with the great lockdown away from the classroom. Online classes and printouts can never replace the human touch especially for our children who have learned to learn that way. The State of the UDP is horrendous. Their time to leave is 12 years long overdue.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

|

ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

|

$1.00

serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo EDITOR

José Jiménez

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By TIMES NEWSPAPER LTD. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com

editortimes@yahoo.com

14 JUN

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

03 3

EDITORIAL

M

Cordel Gets It!

uch has been discussed in the past few weeks in regards to Land. However, its prominence on Belizean news outlets has been largely the work of Mr. Petillo and his efforts at organizing hundreds in demonstrating in the thick of COVID-19 season. History shows that Land has been able to ignite revolutions and civil wars. The importance of Land is simple, it is a factor of production and it is the simplest way to create and redistribute wealth. Other characteristics of Land are that it is limited in supply (finite), static, a passive factor of production requiring other factors to be put in use, and the supply is inelastic. Land determines agricultural production, industrial progress and prosperity and largely determines GDP by influencing total production of a country, its trade, and growth. Squatting and Land have been the center of attention these last few weeks, and GOB has tried to douse that fire instead of tackling the problem straight on.

During these last twelve years the UDP has had a very particular land strategy. They have created large land owners, and have pardoned millions in taxes from these same land owners in a land tax amnesty.

Choice parcels have gone to friends and cronies allegedly in exchange for consideration of votes for conventions and other favours. Land has been sold off for pennies on the dollar and used in irregular land dealings that have illicitly enriched family and cronies from the public purse. Land has been granted to many individuals who have no concrete plans for development, these speculators are often foreign and profit immensely without leaving any meaningful development for Belize. This is what Land Policy is for the UDP! There are many factors which affect the productivity and thus the value of Land. Firstly, those that are directly affected by GOB are Land Ownership Laws, direct owners of land will improve land while a person with a lease is less inclined to do so. Second, the availability of an efficient labour source, trained and capable of using the land. Third, the availability of capital through commercial or national banks at reduced rates. Lastly, government is responsible to ensure the proper usage of land based on location and size. Land reform usually seeks to correct what were the results of distortions in land allocations as a result of previous reforms, colonialism or dispossessions.

The UDP has done the exact opposite, they have not used Land to equitably redistribute wealth. They have used it to concentrate wealth on a chosen few elite families. Griffen et al in their essay Poverty and the Distribution of Land define land reform as “redistribution reforms and also establishment of collective or communal forms of farming…In addition, tax and credit measures intended to create incentives for large land owners to sell part of their holding.” The clear intended beneficiaries of a true Land Reform Policy that is concerned with the equitable redistribution of wealth should be small farmers and farm workers, entrepreneurs, the landless, women, youth, and the rural poor. This is the land to tiller model and should be the guide for the development of a comprehensive Land Reform Policy in Belize.

Attention to the greater macro-economic purpose of improving the agriculture industry’s contribution to overall economic development should be key. In Belize, farming cooperatives should be revamped to promote a transition to modernized small farmer models working in a collective system for increased productivity and returns.

Cordel gets it, he really does! Far from shunning the landless as squatters, he sees them as prospective farmers. He sees not idle hands but rather great potential for the addition to our productive sector. The PUP recognizes the need of the landless. Only greed profits under the UDP. Land Reform will come under the PUP who understands the value of land as a tool to rise up out of poverty and hunger. This crisis has called attention to the fact that our nation’s food security is precarious and that it is in fact the Belizean farmer who must now come to the rescue. It will be the Next PUP Government who will bring an equitable redistribution of wealth through meaningful land reform!

04 4

THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

2020

en Español

Cordel lo Entiende!

M

14 JUN

ucho se ha discutido en las últimas semanas con respecto a terrenos. Sin embargo, su importancia en los medios de comunicación de Belice ha sido en gran medida el trabajo del Sr. Petillo y sus esfuerzos para organizar a cientos de la gente a manifestar en pleno período de la temporada COVID-19. La historia demuestra que cuestiones de tierras ha sido capaz de encender revoluciones y guerras civiles. La importancia de la Tierra es simple, es un factor de producción y es la forma más sencilla de crear y redistribuir la riqueza. Otras características de tierras son que es limitado en la oferta, estático, un factor pasivo de producción que requiere otros factores para ser puesto en uso, y la oferta es inelástica. La tierra determina la producción agrícola, el progreso industrial y la prosperidad y determina en gran medida el PIB al influir en la producción total de un país, su comercio y crecimiento. La ocupación ilegal y tierras han sido el centro de atención estas últimas semanas, y GOB (gobierno de Belice, siglas en inglés) ha tratado de apagar ese fuego en lugar de abordar el problema directamente.

Durante estos últimos doce años el UDP ha tenido una estrategia de tierra muy particular. Han creado grandes propietarios de tierras, y han perdonado millones en impuestos de estos mismos propietarios de tierras en una amnistía de impuestos sobre la tierra. Terrenos de gran valor han sido otorgados a los amigos y los compinches supuestamente a cambio de la consideración de votos para las convenciones y otros favores.

La tierra se ha vendido por centavos de dólar y se ha utilizado en transacciones irregulares de tierras que han enriquecido ilícitamente a familias y compinches del erario público. La tierra se ha concedido a mucha gente que no tienen planes concretos de desarrollo, estos especuladores son a menudo extranjeros y se benefician inmensamente sin dejar ningún desarrollo significativo para Belice. ¡Esto es lo que la Política de Tierras es para el UDP! Hay muchos factores que afectan la productividad y, por tanto, el valor de las tierras. En primer lugar, los que se ven directamente afectadas por el Gobierno por las leyes de propiedad de la tierra, ya que los propietarios directos de la tierra mejorarán la tierra mientras que una persona con un contrato de arrendamiento está menos dispuesta a hacerlo. En segundo lugar, la disponibilidad de una fuente de trabajo eficiente, capacitada y capaz de utilizar la tierra. En tercer lugar, la disponibilidad de capital a través de bancos nacionales y comerciales a tasas reducidas. Por último, el Gobierno es responsable de garantizar el uso adecuado de la tierra en función de su ubicación y tamaño. Por lo general, la reforma agraria trata de corregir los resultados de las distorsiones en la asignación de tierras como resultado de reformas anteriores, el colonialismo y la desposesión.

El UDP ha hecho exactamente lo contrario, no han utilizado la Tierra para redistribuir equitativamente la riqueza. Lo han utilizado para concentrar la riqueza en unas pocas familias selectas. Griffen et al en su ensayo La pobreza y la distribución de la tierra definen la reforma agraria como “reformas de redistribución y el establecimiento de formas colectivas o comunales de agricultura… y medidas fiscales y crediticias que tienen por objeto crear incentivos para que los grandes propietarios de tierras vendieran parte de su propiedad.” Los beneficiarios claros de una verdadera Política de Reforma Agraria que se ocupa de la redistribución equitativa de la riqueza deben ser los pequeños agricultores y trabajadores agrícolas, los empresarios, los sin tierra, las mujeres, los jóvenes y los pobres de las zonas rurales. Este es el modelo de tierra para labrar y debe ser la guía para el desarrollo de una Política de Reforma Agraria integral en Belice. Debe ser fundamental prestar atención al mayor propósito macroeconómico de mejorar la contribución de la industria agrícola al desarrollo económico general. En Belice, las cooperativas agrícolas deben modernizarse para promover la transición a modelos de pequeños agricultores modernizados que funcionen en un sistema colectivo para aumentar la productividad y los rendimientos.

Cordel lo entiende, realmente lo hace. Lejos de rechazar a los sin tierra como ocupantes ilegales, los ve como futuros agricultores. No ve manos ociosas, sino un gran potencial para la incorporación a nuestro sector productivo. El PUP reconoce la necesidad de los sin tierra. Sólo la codicia se beneficia bajo el UDP. La Reforma Agraria vendrá con el PUP que entiende el valor de la tierra como una herramienta para salir de la pobreza y el hambre.

Esta crisis ha llamado la atención por el hecho del que la seguridad alimentaria de nuestra nación es precaria y que, de hecho, es el agricultor de Belice el que ahora debe acudir al rescate. Será el próximo Gobierno del PUP el que traerá una redistribución equitativa de la riqueza a través de una reforma agraria significativa.

14 JUN

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

BELLY of the

BEAST

The IMF What exactly is the old Dean Oliver not telling the nation? Did you know that after repeatedly acting like he had no use for the IMF, and couldn’t care less about their recommendations, Barrow went begging weeks ago for money? Did you know that while many other countries in the region have gotten millions to assist with COVID-related matters from the IMF, Belize has gotten a big, fat ZERO? A big bird from the Ministry of Finance has told the Belize Times that the IMF wants nothing to do with Dean, and has sent him a letter explaining in diplomatic terms that they told him that he was a dodo-bird a long time ago, and if he had listened instead of being his usual megalomaniac self, the nation wouldn’t be in the position it’s in right now. We here at the Belize Times have been told, also, that other IFIs are following in the footsteps of the IMF. Notice that even the IDB is giving Belize a wide-berth. Nobody wants to put cash in the hands of Dean Oliver and the UDP. That’s the truth. The proof is in the pudding, and ain’t nobody willing to hand over any pudding to this bunch.

Imer That same big bird from the Ministry of Finance has told the Belize Times that the UDP’s favourite contractor, Imer Hernandez, is holding on to a big bunch of money he was given. Remember Imer and some shady company from Mexico, allegedly under investigation for fraud, were given the contract to pave the Coastal Road? How come nobody has gone back to Imer to ask for that money back, since certainly the paving of the Coastal Road is no priority at a time like this? We figure it’s because everybody has figured out by now that Imer (Gapi’s nephew) is the contractor of choice only because he is willing to dole out the kickbacks which have become standard trade under the UDP. We don’t doubt that for a second. We also understand that all these contracts being given to Imer were all part of an elaborate plan to fill UDP coffers before elections, which might have been called by now if

05 5

not for COVID-19. If Dean Oliver grieves so much for his poor Belize, which he personally had a hand in impoverishing, he should take a trip to Imer’s mansion in Benque and ask him for some of that money back.

Remember It is impossible to take Dean seriously when he says he grieves for his poor Belize. How easily he seems to have forgotten the millions which were paid out to his friends and family. Remember how Dean O. made sure his ex-wife Lois got rich off every case he could push her way, then sent her off to a cushy diplomatic posting in the lap of luxury. Remember how Dean O made his son Anwar a millionaire by putting him at BTL, where he promptly ran that company into the ground. Where is BTL now, old man Barrow? We remember the other day when you secretly arranged to pay off Ashcroft over half a billion dollars, you told us it was worth it cause BTL would be worth billions. How much is BTL worth now, Dean Oliver? Remember how you brought back your brother Denys from his judicial posting and made him even richer by giving him all GOB’s lucrative legal litigation work? Remember how you even brought in your law firm to witness that deal with Ashcroft in Miami? What percentage did you rake in from that half a billions dollar deal? So when you sit there with your crocodile tears trickling down your face, all grieving for Belize and stuff, the entire country knows you are the BOGUS man. We see you, Dean Oliver.

Scam Alert Nobody should be shocked by emerging allegations that Shyne hoodwinked a generous donor and took money that she gave him to open a resource center for the people of Mesopotamia. The former wannabe gangster rapper turned deportee turned rabbi turned politician may wear a suit, and talk pretty like his daddy, but even when you put lipstick on a pig, remember that it’s still a pig. And Jamal bin-laden Barrow is a hell of a pig. This fool was brought back kicking and screaming to Belize. He didn’t want any part of the jewel. All he wanted was to go back to the US even though Uncle Sam threw him out. And that’s all he still wants. We know that Jamal sees himself as a Minister with a diplomatic passport which he believes will magically gain him entry into the US. And that will be the end of that. This fool is a scam artist, and he will always be a scam artist who feels that he is owed something by the country because his daddy didn’t want him when he was born. He’ll get the sense soon enough.

6 06

14 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS

1. Will the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance please confirm or deny if the Government of Belize entered into a lease with the owners of Keystone Building to rest space for Government offices and will the PM also say how much rent will be paid for this office space?

2. Will the Minister of Finance please inform the Belizean public whether it makes sense for government to enter into a long term lease for space in a private high end, high rise building in Belize City mere months before the new government-owned facility in the Lake Independence Area is to be completed?

3. Where is the Minister of NEMO? Will the members of Cabinet please say if Minister Castro is fulfilling his duties as a minister of government or whether during this time when villages are being flooded if he is too busy with his private meat smoking business to attend to his responsibilities as NEMO minister?

4. Will the Minister of the Public Service please inform the Belizean public if Delroy Cutkelvin is being paid by taxpayers and, if so, is it not against the public service rules for a government employee to be writing political articles for news organizations? Fire Delroy.

5. Good job Belize, we continue to be safe when we keep practicing social distance, good hygiene and wearing our mask in public.

2020

BY ORDER OF MORTGAGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under and by virtue of a Deed of Mortgage registered at the Land Titles Unit between DUDLEY MICHAEL GARCIA of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 47, comprising 582.384 Square Metres situate along the Northern Side of the Lord’s Bank Road, Cuellar’s Layout, Lord’s Bank Village, Belize District, and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Subdivision Survey by Cyrus B. Samuels Sr., Licensed Land Surveyor, recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan City, Cayo District in Entry No. 12953, Register No. 21TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of DUDLEY MICHAEL GARCIA DATED this 2nd day of June 2020 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

CARTOON

14 JUN 14 14 JUN JUN

2020 2020

THEBELIZE BELIZE TIMES THE TIMES Father’s A Father’sDay Day AA Father’s Day Message from Message from Message from John JohnBriceño Briceño John Briceño Those who can will Those who can will

spend Sunday, June 17, Those who can will spendcelebrating Sunday, June 2020 Fa-17, spend 17, 2020 cel2020June celebrating ther’s Day with theirFaebrating Father’s Day ther’s ItDay their dads. willwith probawith their dads. probably be the Itdads. firstwill timeIt inwill probably first time bly be be thethe first time in months that extended infamilies months extended months extended willthat be allowed families willbe be allowed tofamilies come will together maktoing come together making to come together makthis year’s Father’s this Father’s Day Day even special. ingyear’s this more year’s Father’s Being aspecial. dad isspecial. not even more Day even more anBeing easy task, a dad is itnot an Being a but dad isisnot ananimportant for easy task, itone, isbutan easy but task, itimis inan addition being portant one,tofor in the addiimportant one, for one who is expected to tionintoaddition being the one who to being the provide for the finanis expected provide for one who to is expected to cial needs of the family, theprovide financialforneeds the the of finanfathers today are also family, fathers today are cial needs of the family, about loving and supporting their children first and also about loving and supporting their are children fathers today also foremost. first and foremost. about loving and2020 supporting their children In our Party’s True Blue Platform wefirst willand In our Party’s 2020 True Blue Platform we will foremost. roll out for the first time a policy on the family. We roll In outourforParty’s the first time a Blue policy on the family.

2020 True Platform know that in Belize many families may onlywein-will We that Belize families only inrollknow out theinfirst timemany a policy on themay family. clude onefor parent or may include grandparents tak-We clude or may include know thatparent in of Belize many families may only ining onone the role mom or dad, still grandparents we believe thattaking on role of orinclude dad, still westarts believe that clude one parent or may grandparents for ourthe country to mom progress everything withtakfor country to mom progress everything startsforwith ingour on the role of or dad, stillwill we believe that the family.

Building strong families make the Building strong families will make for stronger communities and a better country.

All the forfamily. our country to progress everything starts with stronger communities and afamilies better country.

All studies show that fathers who take their will role as par- for the family.

Building strong make the studies show whototake rolethe as ents seriously andthat are fathers committed the their developstronger communities and a better country.

All parents arewho committed torole thewho develment of seriously their children turn out strong children studies show that and fathers take their as parthemselves build stronger families for themselves. opment of theirand children turn out to strong children ents seriously are committed the developFor reason our turn policy the family who themselves build stronger families forwill themment ofthis their children outonstrong children who find ways to foster programs that make it easier for selves. themselves build stronger families for themselves. working fathers to support their families variouswill For reason our on family will For this this reason our policy policy on the the infamily ways, so that dads can spend time attending school find make it it easier easier for for findways waysto tofoster foster programs programs that that make events with their children and encouraging them to working to support supporttheir theirfamilies families in variworking fathers fathers to in various mentor their sons while encouraging their daughous ways, so dads that dads can spend time attending ways, so that can spend time attending school ters to work to make their lives better. school eventstheir withchildren their children and encouraging events and Day encouraging them to So aswith we celebrate Father’s in these chalthem to mentor their sonsencouraging while encouraging their mentor their sons daughlenging times, let us while not only honour whotheir we are as daughters to work to make theirbetter. lives better. ters to work to make their lives fathers, but also be conscious of the impact fathers So asasthe we celebrate in these these chalchalSoon wefuture. celebrate Father’s Father’s Day Day in have lenging let us ussingle notonly only honour who lenging times, let not honour who wewe areare as And times, to all those parents who struggle as fathers, but also be conscious of impact the fathers, butfor also be sons conscious of the to provide their and daughters as impact wellfathers as fathers the future. have have on theon future. those dads who each day put family first … in the And those who struggle PUP, wetoto sayall thank you,single we areparents here forwho you, struggle HapAnd all those single parents topy their as well well as as Father’sfor Day! toprovide provide for their sons sons and and daughters daughters as

those … in in the the thosedads dadswho who each each day day put put family family first first …

PUP, for you, you, HapHapPUP,we wesay saythank thank you, you, we we are are here here for py pyFather’s Father’s Day! Day!

7 07 707

Father’s Father’sand and Mother’s Mother’sDay Day Event Event

Hosted by Party Leader John Briceño and Hosted

by Party Briceño and the Orange Walk Leader Central John Executive

the Orange Walk Central Executive

June 7, 2020 Covid-19 has tried hard to isolate us and to socially distance us but we June 7, 2020 are not giving up. The celebrating ourus moms, dads and the persons Covid-19 hasspirit triedofhard to isolate and to socially distance us but we who are represent them in each of our lives will always be in the human spirit. not giving up. The spirit of celebrating our moms, dads and the persons The PUP Leaderthem and his out on a virtual endeavour takehuman the whoParty represent in team each set of our lives will always be intothe spirit. place of the traditional songs, raffles and hugs. The idea was to celebrate our The PUP Party Leader and his team set out on a virtual endeavour to take the parents and the work they place into our lives. place of the traditional songs, raffles and hugs. The idea was to celebrate our The Orange Walk Central Executive’s gala event grew into one that enparents and the work they place into our lives. compassed all other 31 standard bearers. No picture can show all the smiles The Orange Central Executive’s gala and entertainment thatWalk reached out into the devices of event Belize.grew into one that encompassed all other 31 standard bearers.

No picture cangive show all the smiles The PUP, the Party Leader and the OW Central Executive thanks and entertainment that reached out into the devices of Belize. to all: Moms, Dads, Businesses that sponsored gifts, Centaur TV and crew, PUP,and theViewers Party Leader and the OW Central Standard The Bearers, everywhere in the virtual world.Executive give thanks

to all: Moms, Dads, Businesses that sponsored gifts, Centaur TV and crew, Standard Bearers, and Viewers everywhere in the virtual world.

8 08 8

THE BELIZE TIMES

ALLAN POLLARD JR.

Young Standard Bearer for Queen Square.....Young, Fresh and a worker....the answer for Queen Square For too long the people of Queen Square have been neglected by a man who knows nothing about real poverty, a man with no compassion or understanding, a man who now wants to install his sister to take over the area. But the people of Queen Square are tired of Absentee Representation.

They are ready for the young, dynamic and serious worker, Allan Pollard Jr. Allan, a young entrepreneur himself, is the owner of “Supreme AutoMotive,” a venture he manages with pride after being awarded with the Emprende Belize Fund in 2016. He graduated from St. John’s College High School then further earned an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from St. John’s College Junior College and plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

This young general, currently a City Councillor, has always had a passion for serving the people of his city.

He was born and raised on Faber’s Road where he worked even before entering politics to uplift the residents and build community spirit in his neighbourhood.

With a passion for helping others and a natural drive to be a part of a thriving community, Allan has spearheaded various community-based ventures, promoting young Belizean artists, supporting young entrepreneurs in their initiatives and coordinating positive social events.

He was recently elected to serve the city as the youngest Councillor on record, and holds the portfolio of Traffic, Community Participation, Public Relations and Special Events at the Belize City Council. Among other

projects, he has seen the installation of traffic lights for swift traffic movement, equipping traffic officers with vehicles, establishing a cooperative agreement with bus and taxi operators and has also contributed towards the progressive economic development plan for the old capital.

ERICA JANG

Interim President of the United Women’s Group (UWG) Erica is the only PUP councillor in the present Dangriga Town Council.

She shared the following sentiments with Vibes Radio and the Belize Times, “I am elated that I have been chosen to be the President of the UWG. I am humbled and as women we should be able to carry the mantle from woman to another. Tanya Santos was a wonderful president and now we will follow on the plans that she already had.

We will make sure that polices are in place. This will strengthen women through education, leadership and also to make sure that women are recognised in the role that we should play in

politics.

Women should find their place with relation to politics. We should introduce the UWG to the entire country. We need to make sure the foundation is strong. We have a

Allan is ready to be the new voice of the people in Queen Square, bringing visionary and energetic leadership to an area that has been stagnant for too long. It is time for a new, revitalized Queen Square. It is time for a REAL man of the people to lead the area. It is time for Allan Pollard Jr.

base that we should be able to use to grow. Younger girls you can also become a politician besides being a doctor, teacher. This is the area for women to be seen and be heard.

The public will recognize that women make great leaders.

What we do at home are the same we will use when we govern. When we get into politics these are the same principles. I want to encourage our base in all communities.

The leadership role comes from within. If we are given an opportunity to lead we will move forward. We can’t see the power within us until we decide to do something.

Hats off to all women in politics. Hats off to women in the UWG. And hats off to Dr. Candice Pitts and Senator Bennett of the People’s United Party.”

14 JUN

2020

BELIZE, 7TH WORSE OF 195 IN IMF’S BOOK Based on IMF’s April 2020 Economic outlook... Belize ranks 7 of 195 countries with the worst GDP growth -11.97%.

Imagine your salary goes from 600 dollars a month to 530 dollars and everything at the store is more expensive. Belize as a country has hundreds of not thousands of people living that new excruciating reality planted 12 years ago and now in full red poisonous bloom of a novel species Venus humantrap--everthing and everyone the UDP can milk and destroy it milks and destroys.

The Belizean economy was the first to be trapped.

The 3 Incomplete Term UDP government has been bogged down in a recession prior to the end of 2019. Covid-19 is deadly to the economies of the world especially those with debilitating underlying conditions. The UDP policy of no transparency, unbridled corruption, and unconstitutional level borrowing, doused with Imer Indecent Infrastructure has wreaked havoc as they unheeded the IMF annual caveats.

Now the UDP can boast top level world class recession. If this is not a criminal affront to our society then nothing is.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Social Lounge Ltd. is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Social Lounge ” located at Miles 4 ½ Miles Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Samantha Munoz is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Krazzy Kups” located at # 3645 Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

NEEDED: Helper at AL Tope Class clothing store, located at # 27 Albert Street, Belize City.

Call 600-9047 for more information.

14 JUN

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

From the People’s United Party, Party Leader John Briceño and the PUP National Executive

Happy Father’s Day

2020

A Special mention for the fathers who are on the frontline (Security Forces, Medical Personnel, Farmers, Grocers and all other Essential Workers) of the battle to keep Belize safe and fed.

099

10

14 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTIES

Libertad Village, Corozal District; San Estevan Village, San Jose Palmer, Trial Farm, Orange Walk Town & Carmelita, Orange Walk District

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo & Christiana R. Castillo will sell the following properties on Monday 22nd June 2020 at the following locations and times:

1. At Parcel No. 383 Libertad Village, Corozal District at 9:00 am:

REGISTRATION SECTION Libertad Village

BLOCK 1

5. At Parcel No. 120 off the Phillip Goldson Highway, San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District at 12:00 noon:

PARCEL 383

(Being a two-storey concrete residential building: Ground floor [15 ft. X 18 ft.] and First Floor [9 ft. X 15 ft.] + Veranda [9 ft. X 15 ft.] situate in Libertad Village, Corozal District, the freehold property of Mr. Sergio Mesh) 2. At Parcel No. 315 San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District at 10:30 am:

REGISTRATION SECTION San Jose Palmar

BLOCK 4

PARCEL 120/1

(Being a fabulous two storey concrete residential complex and lot situate beside the Phillip Goldson Highway, Orange Walk Town, the leasehold property of Mr. Luis Romeo Urbina) 6. At Parcel No. 1290 San Felipe Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District at 1:30 pm:

REGISTRATION SECTION San Estevan

BLOCK 1

PARCEL 315

(Being an attractive fenced timber bungalow dwelling house [32 ft. X 42 ft] containing 4 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + Living/Dining/Kitchen and lot [492.000 S.M.] situate on corner San Estevan and Sarteneja/Progresso/Chunox Roads, San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Mr. Mr. Agusto Angel Blanco) 3. At Parcel No. 315 San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District at 10:30 am:

REGISTRATION SECTION San Estevan

BLOCK 1

PARCEL 639 &640

(Being two vacant parcels of land [639 - 2.786 acres & 640 - 2.786 acres] situate on the San Estevan Road just outside the developments of San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District, the freehold properties of Mr. Manuel Jesus Blanco and Mr. Agusto Blanco) 4. At Parcel No. 16/1 San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District at 11:00 am:

REGISTRATION SECTION Ann Gabourel

BLOCK 4

PARCEL 1290

(Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [34 ft. X 36 ft.] containing 3 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/kitchen + front, side & back porches and lot [447.22 sq. yds.] situate on San Felipe Street, Orange Walk Town, OrangeWalk District, the freehold property of Ms. Lilia Constantino) 7. At Parcel No. 1290 San Felipe Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District at 1:30 pm:

REGISTRATION SECTION Ann Gabourel

BLOCK 4

PARCEL 2770

(Being an elevated metal sided building [14 ft. X 21 ft.] containing 2 bedrooms + kitchen/living + bathroom and lot [583.773 S.M. or 698.19 S.Y.] situate on Snapper Street, Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Mr. David Enrique Navarette) 8. At Parcel No. 1290 San Felipe Street, OrangeWalk Town, OrangeWalk District at 1:30 pm:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK San Estevan 4

PARCEL 16/1

(Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [25 ft. X 34 ft.] + Building B measuring [13 ft. X 19 ft.] and lot [1,039 S.M. or 1,242.64 S.Y.] situate in the Village of San Estevan, Orange Walk District, the leasehold property of Ms. Irma Olivera)

REGISTRATION SECTION Ann Gabourel

BLOCK 4

PARCEL 1080

(Being a vacant lot [557.35 S.M.] situate in Pucte Villas Subdivision, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Mr. Marlo Perrera) Continued on page 11

14 JUN

2020

11

THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE

Continued from page 10

PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTIES

MOVE

STANDARD BEARER RAMON “MONCHI” CERVANTES

Libertad Village, Corozal District; San Estevan Village, San Jose Palmer, Trial Farm, Orange Walk Town & Carmelita, Orange Walk District

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo & Christiana R. Castillo will sell the following properties on Monday 22nd June 2020 at the following locations and times:

9. At Parcel No. 1189 in an Alley off San Francisco Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District at 2:15 pm:

Monchi on the ground in Trial Farm Village.

Assisting residents with flooding problems.

REGISTRATION SECTION Orange Walk Town

BLOCK 4

PARCEL 1189

(Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [24 ft. X 26 ft. + bathroom addition 8 ft. X 8 ft.] containing 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/kitchen + laundry/open ended shed 8 ft. X 16 ft. + block wall storeroom 5 ft. X 8 ft. and lot [371.988 S.M. or 444.90 S.Y.] situate in an Alley of San Francisco Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Mr. Gilbert Bernard Jr.) 10. At Parcels Nos. 1141 & 1143 Phillip Goldson Highway, San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District at 3:00 pm:

REGISTRATION SECTION San Jose Palmar

BLOCK 4

PARCEL 1141 & 1143

(Being two (2) lots -: Parcel No. 1141 containing (0.298 of an acre or 1,442.32 square yards) together with an incomplete concrete building [28 ft. X 47 ft. + open area 14 ft. X 28 ft.]; Parcel No. 1143 containing (0.585 of an acre or 2,831.4 Square Yards) together with 2 block making sheds [each 24 ft. X 24 ft] + storeroom [16 ft. X 15 ft.] + office building [8 ft. X 16 ft.] + horse stable [12 ft. X 36 ft.] + water well situate beside the Phillip Goldson Highway, San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District, the freehold properties of Mr. Roamir Gonzalez) 11. At Parcels Nos. 1141 & 1143 Phillip Goldson Highway, San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District at 3:00 pm:

REGISTRATION SECTION Carmelita

BLOCK 1

PARCEL 206/1

(Being an incomplete building and lot [1,042.6 S.M. or 1,246.95 S.Y.] situated in Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District, leasehold property of Mr. Zayne Palacio)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing) TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Book: Belize Auctions

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

SELF-EMPOWERMENT vs GOB DEPENDENCE

By Senator Elizabeth Bennett Empowering ourselves and empowering our children and empowering people in our communities can only result in a nation not dependent on GOB’s “maga” handouts, but a nation of proud, highly productive, prosperous Belizean with a sound knowledge and a full consciousness of their power as THE PEOPLE – THE GOVERNMENT! Self-empowerment is self-thought or learnt actions or better yet, life style behaviours designed to increase our degree of autonomy and self-determination for ourselves and our communities in order to enable us to represent OUR interest in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on our own authority/power within set laws of the country and not having to wait on government to act in our best interest.

How can we begin this self-empowerment process and start directing politicians on ‘HOW WE NEED’ our country to be governed and not be a “Yes Minister” or “No Minister” type of Belizean?

That’s a million dollar question!!

Yap! And I do not have all the answers, you do!! Collectively, as smart Belizean people, we all do have the answers to this question!

Secondly, I am not an economist nor a trained agriculturalist, just a nurse and an aspiring politician, who has a big heart to help others utilize the steps of the empowerment process. So before March 15, 2020, I knew ONE basic thing about gardening and that was the fact that plants need water so you water the plants!

Nothing else! But what I have learnt over the past three months of doing my back gardening has been just simply amazing!

This list is in no way exhaustive as I continue to reflect on the many positive outcomes from just a mere 2 - 3 hours per day in the garden.

Having a backyard garden can means simply utilizing pans, pots, drums even truck tires. The catch would be the same – Simply Amazing!

The experience has been breath-taking to say the least and especially, because one of my philosophies is to inspire others to be empowered and become self-sustained as much as possible in this Covid-19

crisis and beyond. The journey has been nothing short of a life time of rich blessings! Thus far my love of gardening, which has now become a family project, has yielded 1. Quality family time 2. Peace of mind from the stressors surrounding the pandemic 3. An alternative place to be than just locked up inside the house - perfect “chill spot” 4. Less spending on certain market produce given the little financial resources at hand 5. New skills - agricultural skills – e.g. How to enrich soil?

6. New knowledge in caring for plants – e.g. Pruning of trees 7. A deepened appreciation of our local farmers’ hard work on an intimate level

8. An awareness for me to ask and choose what’s locally grown and available at the market 9. An awareness to not beat down the farmers’ prices at the market because I understand and appreciate a bit of what they go through 10. I have learnt the high value of one single seed, of one single plant!

11. The art of how to salvage waste material from dump sites e.g. saw dust, old board, and waste strips of sticks 12. An increased pooling of resources with the neighbors 13. A higher level of gratitude of how to share and care even more with my neighbours 14. Better research skills on how to save money on home-made equipment that works just perfect as the ones in the store or better 15. A new perspective on bartering with people who are like-minded in gardening 16. A new level of inspiration to

14 JUN

2020

share with others how to start and sustain a backyard garden 17. A greater influence on younger generation to plant as teens and children are amazed at their own planting skills even my daughter planted her fever grass and aloe plants 18. An increase in the much needed micro nutrients in the diet, especially for growing children and elderly given the ration bags of flour, rice and beans at this time in COVID-19 19. Healthy serving of vegetables and fruits to follow as trees are in full blossom 20. Financial saving on some market produce; had to repeat!

So what have you learnt from your gardening journey that has empowered you and your family? I’m sure it has been just as amazing or even more! For certain more than ever, you are now even more convinced, from your own personal experience that GOB should put agriculture as one of its priorities and not just focus on roads.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE PUBLIC Lodgment of an EIA Report and Public Consultation For and Public Consultation Lodgment of an EIA Report The Philip S. W. Goldson Highway For Upgrading Project, Mile 24.5 Including the RemateHighway Road Bypass, by the Ministry Works The92Philip S. W. Goldson Upgrading Project, of Mile 24.5 -

92 Including the Remate Road Bypass, by the Ministry of Works

The General Public is hereby advised that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been submitted to the Department of the Environment (DOE) by the Ministry of The General Public is hereby advised that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has Works for The Philip S. W. Goldson Highway Upgrading Project, Mile 24.5 – 92 including been submitted to the Department of the Environment (DOE) by the Ministry of Works for The thePhilip Remate Road Bypass.

The EIA reportProject, was prepared by–Mott MacDonald Ltd. / Road Nextera S. W. Goldson Highway Upgrading Mile 24.5 92 including the Remate Environmental & Engineering Consultants.

TheMacDonald EIA reportLtd. will/ be reviewed by the National Bypass. The EIA report was prepared

by Mott Nextera Environmental & Engineering Consultants.

The EIA report will be reviewed by the National Environmental Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) before a final decision is taken.

Appraisal Committee (NEAC) beforeinformed a final decision is taken.

The General Public is hereby that the EIA report will be available for public review starting June 5, 2020. Copies of the EIA report can be examined free of charge, The General Public is hereby informed that the EIA report will be available for public review Mondays to Fridays, working am tofree 5:00 at Mondays the following starting June 5, 2020.during Copiesnormal of the EIA reporthours can be(8:00 examined of pm), charge, to locations: Orangenormal Walkworking Town Hall, Center, Fridays, during hours Corozal (8:00 am Town to 5:00 Hall, pm), atSan the Narciso followingCommunity locations: Orange Hall, San Narciso San Joseon / San andWalk SanTown Jose Hall, / SanCorozal PabloTown Public Library.

The Community EIA reportCenter, is alsoand available thePablo DOE’s Public Library.

The EIA report is also available on the DOE’s Facebook Page and website Facebook Page and website http://doe.gov.bz/environmental-clearance/. http://doe.gov.bz/environmental-clearance/.

Bearing in mind the realities related to the COVID19 State of Emergency, and while hard copies of the report aretoavailable at the above-mentioned DOE Bearing in mind theEIA realities related the COVID19 State of Emergency, andlocations, while hard the copies would that this EIA report beabove-mentioned reviewed usinglocations, the online Please of theprefer EIA report are available at the the options.

DOE would preferpractice that this soreport be when reviewed using the online options. practice social distancing when viewing cialEIA distancing viewing hard copies of thePlease reports and follow recommendations of the hard copies of the reports and follow recommendations of the Ministry of Health.

Ministry of Health.

The general public and interested persons or groups are invited to submit comments, The general public and interested persons or groups are invited to submit comments, questions or questions orthe queries to the DOE via email to eiaunit@environment.gov.bz queries to DOE via email to eiaunit@environment.gov.bz

by June 17, 2020. by June 17, 2020.

Kindly be informed that a virtual public consultation session for the EIA will be held be informed that a virtual at public session the EIA willofbeBelize held onPress June Office 18, on Kindly June 18, 2020, commencing 3:00consultation pm sharp via the for Government 2020, commencing at 3:00 pm sharp via the Government of Belize Press Office Facebook Page.

Facebook Page. The general public is invited to participate in this virtual consultation to The comments, general public invited to participate in this virtual consultation to make comments, make askis questions, seek clarification, express concerns or issues, or toask make questions, seek clarification, express concerns or issues, or to make representation to the DOE in representation the DOE in of relation to the project possible effects of the proposed project activity relation to theto possible effects the proposed activity on the environment. on the environment.

14 JUN

2020

CORDEL HYDE: NEED FOR LAND DISTRIBUTION A few years ago, Nigel Petillo, agitated a formula that was catalysed both by the Belizean frustration to own land and the UDP’s innate blend of incompetence meshed with the hotbed of corruption—the Lands Department of Belize under Gasper Vega, Dean Barrow, Godwin Hulse, Carla Barnett, and lately by Vega/ Saldivar’s minion Hugo Patt. This blend has allowed law abiding Belizeans from all walks of life to brave a State of Emergency (SoE) and to show their deep desire to own a part of the jewel by whatever means is placed to them.

The latest attempt to assemble on June 7 was denied at the hands of police using the full might of the SoE to turn people around. But the resolve is clear, Belizeans want land by any means. The future, nevertheless, is much more secure with a land title securely tucked away.

PUP Deputy Leader and Standard Bearer for the Lake Independence Constituency: Hon. Cordel Hyde: “There are tens of thousands of people in this country who do not have land, who need land. Land is your vehicle out of poverty. The only way to uplift yourself is to own something. This isn’t about Petillo.

If the (UDP) government wanted to help they could have helped. But the

13

THE BELIZE TIMES

government is not interested in that obviously.”

“Last Year they (UDP) wrote off 90 million dollar is land taxes. When you own land you have a social responsibility to develop that land not only for yourself but for the benefit of the nation.”

“Government has a responsibility to reason with these land owners so that they can give this land to first time land owners. What is the problem with that? Who would disagree with that?”

“The Africans say that, ‘The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago and the other best time is now’.”

“As long as you are a Belizean you are supposed to have an opportunity.”

The last statement is part and parcel of the Bill of Rights that the People’s United Party and the Party Leader Honorable John Briceño have placed at the forefront of its quest to return Belize to prosperity. With John Briceño at the helm and with the Hon. Cordel Hyde deputizing together with the rest of TEAM 31, the PUP is poised to make good on the 5 Pillars that will lay the foundation for our children’s future and a Belize that, needless to say, “will work for everyone.”

GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE MINISTRY OF WORKS SIXTH ROAD (COASTAL HIGHWAY UPGRADING) PROJECT SIXTH ROAD (COASTAL HIGHWAY UPGRADING) PROJECT CONSULTANCY SERVICES CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING FORFOR LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING FOR LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The Government of Belize (GOBZ) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) towards the cost of The Government of Highway Belize (GOBZ) received financing theofCaribbean Developthe Sixth Road (Coastal Upgrading)has Project and intends to apply from a portion the proceeds of ment Bank (CDB) thepayments Unitedunder Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership (UKCIF) this financing to and eligible a contract for which this invitation is issued.

PaymentsFund

by CDB willthe be made at the request of GOBZ and upon approval by CDB, and willProject be subject in all respectsto apply towards costonly of the Sixth Road (Coastal Highway Upgrading) and intends to theof terms conditionsofofthis the Financing Agreement.

The Financing Agreement withdrawals a portion theand proceeds financing to eligible payments under aprohibits contract for which this from the Financing Account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of invitation is issued.

Payments by CDB will be made only at the request of GOBZ upon apgoods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the and United provalNations

by CDB, andCouncil will be subject in all respects the terms and conditions theother Financing Security taken under Chapter VII of the to Charter of the United Nations. No of party than GOBZ derive any Agreement rights from theprohibits Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of Agreement.

Theshall Financing withdrawals from the Financing Account for the Financing. 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 The Ministry of Works (MOW) - PEU, the Executing Agency, now wishes to procure consultancy Council taken Chapter VIIBuilding of the Charter of the United Nations. services forunder Community Capacity for Livelihood Enhancement Projects. No party other than GOBZ shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the The objective of the consultancy is to explore the potential economic development opportunities available Financing. for the communities (specifically Gales Point and Mullins River), and helping the targeted communities to develop and take advantage of the wider economic and livelihood enhancement opportunities that the

The Ministry of Works (MOW) - PEU, the Executing Agency, now wishes to procure conupgrading of the road is expected to bring. The consultancy team is expected to provide the consultancy sultancy services Community Building for Livelihood Enhancement Projects. services in two for phases: Phase One inCapacity 30 days, over a four-month period and Phase Two in 45 days, over an eight-month period.

The objective of the consultancy is to explore the potential economic development opporThe Ministry of Works now invites interested eligible consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest tunities available for the communities (specifically Gales Point and Mullins River), and helping indicating qualifications and experience required to provide these consultancy services. the targeted communities to develop and take advantage of the wider economic and livelihood enhancement the upgrading of the road is expected to bring. The consultancy Consultantsopportunities shall be eligible that to participate if: team is expected to provide the consultancy services in two phases: Phase One in 30 days, over in theand casePhase of a body it is over legallyan incorporated or otherwise a four-month(a)period Twocorporate, in 45 days, eight-month period.organised in an eligible country, has its principal place of business in an eligible country and is more than 50 per cent beneficially owned by citizen(s) and/or bona fide resident(s) of eligible Ministry of Works now invitescorporate interested eligible consulting firms to submit Exprescountry(ies) or by a body(ies) meeting these requirements;

The sions of Interest indicating qualifications and experience required to provide these consultancy services.

Consultants shall be eligible to participate if: (a) in the case of a body corporate, it is legally incorporated or otherwise organised in an eligible country, has its principal place of business in an eligible country and is more than 50 per cent beneficially owned by citizen(s) and/or bona fide resident(s) of eligible country(ies) or by a body(ies) corporate meeting these requirements; (b) in the case of unincorporated firms, the persons are citizens or bona fide residents of an eligible country and (c) in all cases, the consultant has no arrangement and undertakes not to make any arrangements, whereby any substantial part of the net profits or other tangible benefits of the contract will accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an eligible country. (b) countries in the case unincorporated firms, persons are citizens or bona fide residents of an Eligible areofmember countries ofthe CDB. eligible country and

The attention of interested drawn to paragraph 1.9 of CDB’s (c) in all cases, the Consultants consultant hasis no arrangement and undertakes not toGuidelines make any for the Selection and Engagement of Consultants (2011), conflict arrangements, whereby any substantial part ofsetting the net forth profitsCDB’s or other policy tangibleon benefits of of the contract accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an interest for the selection ofwill consultants. eligible country.

In the countries assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to qualifications and expeEligible are member countries of CDB. rience on similar assignments. The consultancy team should possess persons with appropriate The attention interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphGender 1.9 of CDB’s Guidelines for thefield, Selection qualifications inofSociology, Community Development, Studies or a related as well and Engagement of Consultants (2011), settingmanagement forth CDB’s policy on conflict interest for the and selection as expertise in monitoring and evaluation, or business or of a related field; natural of consultants. resources management with a minimum of 10 years’ practical experience in applying community development and small business/livelihoods development, and naturaland resource management In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to qualifications experience on similar in ruralassignments. communities.

The consultancy team should possess persons with appropriate qualifications in Sociology, Community Development, Gender Studies or a related field, as well as expertise in monitoring and evaluation, management or ainrelated field;Further and natural resourcesmay management with from a All information mustorbebusiness submitted English. information be obtained minimum of 10 years’ practical experience in applying community development and small the first address below between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday. business/livelihoods development, and natural resource management in rural communities.

Three hard copies the Expressions Interest must bemay received at the first below All information must beofsubmitted in English. of Further information be obtained from theaddress first address belowthan between 8:00amon andMonday, 5:00pm Monday to Friday. no later 10:00am 6th July 2020 and an electronic copy in pdf format must be sent simultaneously to both MOW and CDB at the Email addresses below. The sealed envelope Three hard copies of the Expressions of Interest must be received at the first address below no later than containing each submission should include the name and address of the applicant and shall be 10:00am on Monday, 6th July 2020 and an electronic copy in pdf format must be sent simultaneously to clearly “Expression of Interest Consultancy Community Capacity both marked MOW and CDB at the Email addresses- below.

The sealedServices envelope for containing each submission Building Livelihood Enhancement Projects” should for include the name and address of the applicant and shall be clearly marked “Expression of Interest - Consultancy Services for Community Capacity Building for Livelihood Enhancement Projects”

Following the assessment of submissions, a short-list of not less than three and not more the assessment of submissions, a short-list of not less than three and not more than six thanFollowing six applicants will be provided with full terms of reference and invited to submit technical applicants will be provided with full terms of reference and invited to submit technical and financial and proposals financialtoproposals to undertake GOBZ reserves the right to accept or undertake the assignment. the Theassignment.

GOBZ reservesThe the right to accept or reject late applications reject late applications to cancel the present invitation partially or in toitsassign entirety.

It will or to cancel the presentor invitation partially or in its entirety.

It will not be bound any reason for not not short-listing applicant defray any costs by any the preparation be bound to assignanyany reasonand forwill notnotshort-listing anyincurred applicant andapplicant will notin defray any costs and submission of Expressions of preparation Interest. incurred by any applicant in the and submission of Expressions of Interest.

1. Attention: Mr. Evondale Moody Project Execution Unit Ministry of Works Power Lane Belmopan Cayo District BELIZE C.A. Tel: +501-828-5220 Fax: +501-822-0563 Email: peumow@yahoo.com

2. Procurement Officer Procurement Policy Unit Caribbean Development Bank P. O. Box 408, Wildey St. Michael BARBADOS, W.I. Tel: +246-431-1600 Fax: +246-426-7269 Email: procurement@caribank.org

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

14 JUN

2020

One Vision…One People BILL OF RIGHTS The People’s United Party wants to share its vision with the Belizean people. It is rooted in a philosophy that goes back to the Father of our Nation the Right Hon. George Price. Mr. Price always believed ours was a work in progress; he led a revolution that is at its core peaceful, always constructive, progressive and uniquely Belizean.

These values remain true today and form a part of our PUP Creed. We are committed to the protection of our territorial sovereignty. We cannot, and will not risk even an inch of our beloved country, from the Rio Hondo to the Sarstoon. And we are committed to an accessible, fair and independent justice system and the rule of law in Belize.

The PUP will always seek to achieve social, economic and environmental justice. It is a commitment to the socio-economic improvement of all Belizeans. Our plan is to rid Belize of poverty. To the PUP, poverty is an ugly scar on our nation’s collective conscience, and no amount of cosmetic surgery can paste over the suffering of close to half of our people, most of them women and children, who live on less than ten dollars per day.

This is not only a task for governments. We all have a stake in this enterprise, but government must LEAD and bold leaders must show that they truly care. For us the task ahead is clear - to build a Belize that works for everyone, so that every Belizean should come to expect five things. This vision, this determination, has created what we call our BELIZEAN BILL OF RIGHTS. FIRST - Every Belizean should have access to a piece of land. With land we immediately create opportunities for upliftment and personal growth.

SECOND - Every Belizean should be able to own a decent home. The 17th Century Jurist and politician Edward Coke in speaking on human rights said: “A man’s home is his castle.” Every Belizean in 2020 should expect such an entitlement whether they live on Bocotora Street or on Seashore Drive.

THIRD - Every Belizean should be given the chance to go to school from pre-school to junior college. We have to make education free from pre-kinder to Junior College. If we will give our young people a chance at success, it must start with a good education.

FOURTH – Accessibility to quality basic health care is critical, which means every Belizean should be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program. If we can invest 42 million dollars in a basketball stadium, then we should be able to provide basic health services to all.

FIFTH and most important, the driving force behind it all is JOBS - good jobs that can lead to meaningful careers; jobs that will give Belizeans a chance for personal growth and prosperity and provide a hand up for those at the very bottom of the economic ladder.

If we do these things, if we create a fair and just society, if we build on these principles we will then be able to change people’s lives and together we will rid our shores of the scourge that is poverty.

14 JUN

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

15

TEAM 31

Orlando Habet for Cayo Northeast The Voice of the People Orlando Habet is known as a tireless worker in the division, and a man who is committed to uplifting his people through providing resources and opportunities.

He is a passionate advocate for development, who travels the communities in Cayo Northeast assisting however he can and has been a constant voice of his people on the ground and in the House of Representatives.

Orlando has an Associate’s Degree in Animal Husbandry, a Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Production Science and a Master’s Degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics. He has used his educational background and training both in the public and private sectors and has travelled extensively representing Belize.

He has served his people and Party well for many years, both at the municipal and national levels. He has also served as Mayor of the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena and has continued to work in his division as an Area Representative since 2015.

Orlando is well recognized and loved in his division because of his serious demeanor and work ethic. He is a man of few words but will work to help his people without hesitation. He has focused much attention on infrastructure in Cayo Northeast, because that is the only way the people will be able to access the centers of commerce effectively, to sell their produce and crops. He believes in people working to empower themselves and has committed that he will give priority to ensuring that the residents of Cayo Northeast are given equal opportunities to employment, housing, health and education, as well as opportunities to markets for the goods produced in Cayo Northeast.

51 16

14 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2020

14 JUN

2020

14 JUN

2020

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

TEAM 31

David Castillo for Corozal North Ready to Work for People and Party David Castillo is a young leader, a family man and a true servant of the people of Corozal North. He is a humble, dynamic man who understands the needs of the people and he never hesitates to work along with the residents of his constituency to develop the community.

David was educated solely in Corozal. He went to Mary Hill Primary School and Corozal Community College before completing his studies at the Corozal Junior College. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and a certificate in managerial, supervisory and customer service.

Since that time, he has forged a successful career in the private sector, and for the past decade has worked in a managerial capacity.

He has been involved in politics most of his life, and has had the very best role models in his grandmother, the famous Gwen Lizarraga, and his father Valdemar Castillo, who served the people of Corozal for many years. He has worked with the Party since his teens, as an active member and National President of the Belize Youth Movement, and in different capacities on the local and national executive of the PUP. In both private sector and public service, David has shown himself willing to do whatever work is needed to get the job done. He wants to help ensure a better life for the men, women, and children of Corozal North. He believes that building a strong PUP is essential in that cause. He knows that as a leader he must adapt to every changing dynamics of politics and the people, and has placed great focus on social development, education, employment and agriculture.

With his background, his proven ability, and his dedication to people and party, David is the only real choice in Corozal North, the man who is ready to work for people and party.

Rodwell Ferguson for Stann Creek West A Man of the People Rodwell Ferguson has proven time and time again that he is a man of the people, for the people – a visionary but humble, soft-spoken man who is always willing to work for the development of Stann Creek West, and always willing to stand with his people to face whatever challenges stand in their way.

Rodwell holds a General Certificate in English, Religious Studies and Accounting, and Advanced Diplomas in Cost Accounting and Business Management. He has translated his education and drive to succeed into a successful private sector career. He has worked as an Accountant and Supervisor, and has also held various positions within government, including Minister of Defence, Youth and Sports. He now owns and operates a successful resort in Pomona.

Rodwell has earned a name for himself as Area Representative of Stann Creek West. He has served his people well and has served his Party well in whatever capacity he has been called, at the municipal and national level.

His focus has always been on empowering the people of the community of Stann Creek West, ensuring that the educational needs of the children remain a priority. He has also been an advocate for adequate healthcare in the communities where residents have no health facility, and no full-time medical professional to care for them. He understands that it can no longer be politics as usual, and the people must be given the opportunities to better themselves, their families and their community through meaningful employment, adequate housing and equal opportunities.

Because he is a man of the people, and a man for the people, Rodwell is the only choice in Stann Creek West.

17

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

TEAM 31

14 JUN

2020

Oscar Arnold for Collet Ready to Win in Collet Oscar Arnold is a young, dynamic individual who has been driven all his life to succeed. He is a sports enthusiast who has dedicated many years to the upliftment of volleyball in Belize, and it is this drive which he brings to Collet, an area which has been neglected for many years, with no meaningful development to speak of. Oscar has the ability, and more importantly the will to transform the Collet Division into a thriving, productive community in Belize City.

With an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from St. John’s College Sixth Form, Oscar dived straight into a career in business and management, working as an Auditor and Accountant in various firms. He then entered the banking sector, and because of his natural ability to excel, he worked himself up the corporate ladder, and became the Manager of Scotiabank’s San Pedro branch, a position he left voluntarily to take up greater service to the people when he decided to enter politics and campaign for the City Council elections in Belize City.

Oscar hit the political ground running, and because of his humility and obvious rapport with the people, as well as his obvious abilities, he was elected to serve as a City Councillor in 2018. He has never been one to sit still, though, and has now thrown his hat into the ring in Collet, because he saw first-hand the situation of the residents there during his campaign for City Council and wants to do better.

Through most of his professional life, Oscar has been placed in administrative roles, in charge of various teams, tasked to find solutions to problems, a skill he has mastered because of his tenacity. He is a team player and believes in decision making which includes all the people. He remains an avid volleyball and softball player, and is also an internationally certified volleyball Coach, and believes that through the introduction and encouragement of healthy, positive sporting initiatives in Collet, the youth can be guided in the right direction.

He also is committed to empowerment of the residents, particularly single mothers who are in need of real, meaningful opportunities so they can raise their families in a positive environment. Oscar brings new energy and vision to Collet, an area which has gone stagnant under its current representation. He is serious about working hard for the people. He has the skill, and he has the will.

Oscar is a natural winner, and a man who believes in service. He is the only choice in Collet.

14 JUN

2020

GREAT EVENTS THAT SHAPED BELIZE…

By Ricardo Moguel Rosado History is not about accumulation of facts but to use the lessons of the past to make decisions in the present to plan for the future…

History is not the story of

Obituary

JOSEPH EMMANUEL BROWN PANTING

Sunrise: August 2, 1951 Sunset: June 7, 2020 He was the former Sergeant-at-Arms at the House of Representatives under the People’s United Party Administration and commonly known as ‘Brutus.’

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be He put His arms around you and whispered “Come to Me” With tearful eyes we watched you as you slowly slipped away, and though we loved you dearly we couldn’t make you stay You golden heart stopped beating your tired hands put to rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.

Joseph Brown was predeceased by his mother Ms. Lucille Brown, his father Mr. George Panting Sr., his step-father Mr. Karl Gabb.

Children: Shane Brown and Valerie Panting Brothers: Glenford Davis, Michael Coleman, and Dennis Gabb.

Niece: Jessica Smith He is survived by his Sons: Joseph Panting Jr., and Jason Panting; Daughter – Lauren Panting.

Brothers: Lincoln Panting, George Panting Jr., Rudolph Smith, Joel Smith, and Derek Gabb, Sisters: Mrs. Rita Middleton (Belmopan), Mrs. Eleanor Smart (UK), Ms. Alice Panting and Ms. Shirley Panting (Belize City) A host of grandchildren, one great-grandchild, many nieces and nephews.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there will be neither a wake nor a repass.

Funeral services will be held on Monday 15th of June 2020 at 1:00 pm at Saint Mary’s Church North Front Street, Belize City The People’s United Party, the Hon. John Briceño, the Hon. Cordel Hyde, the PUP National Executive and the PUP Family extend their most heartfelt condolences to the Brown-Panting Family. May his soul rest in peace and rise in eternal glory.

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

anonymous social and economic movements. History is made by great individuals, great ideas, and great events that are propelled by these individuals and ideas.

Events have consequences that still reverberate with us today.

The History of Belize is multifaceted. The world changes each day. Today there is a new normal.

Ideas make political history such as the Bolshevik, the Chinese, and the Cuban Revolution. Political history shapes art and literature. Great individuals shape history, but the political and intellectual climate must be right. Untimely reformers tend to be burned at the stake of history.

Technology goes hand in

hand with intellectual currents in shaping political events.

Books and academia claim that the Yucatec Maya came to Belize from Yucatan. This is partially true but the bulk of the Maya were already in Belize living in the Yalbac Hills and surroundings for 4,000 years. To accept the fact that the Maya came from Yucatan denotes that there was nobody here and justifies the massive land theft the British did of Maya land by claiming Tierra Nulis. We were in the jungles and we protected the jungles while they exterminated us. We are still here.

Part of our history, the history of the Hispanic and Maya descendants of the refugees who fled Yucatan during the Caste War that began in 1847 into what is now Belize, was not shaped by a single individual but by the great event. ‘La Guerra de las Castas’, the most important indigenous revolt of the Americas, was a social movement catapulted by greed and exploitation of the indigenous Maya by descendants of Europeans who stole our land.

This was a movement of people

that lacks specific names but has a Hispanic and Maya face.

Five generations ago our great-great grandfathers walked the jungles of Yucatan to pour into British Honduras.

The magical date was 1847.

The movement started and stretched throughout the rest of the century and devastated Yucatan. Four generations of our people have been born and populated Belize. We are part of the landscape of the Mesoamerican jungles and the Maya mountains and the Caribbean Sea, We are Belize.

CALL

671-8385 or

EMAIL: belizetimesadvertisement@ yahoo.com

To place advertisement in the Belize Times Newspaper

20

14 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

Land Grab: Omar Figueroa Style As we approach another UDP selection/election of leader an issue that almost blew under the radar was of a land acquire with the help of Omar Figueroa. If it is land Hugo most likely was involved.

The municipality, a UDP led one, was planning a public venue on a prized land. This land was passed on to the Juan Family. Accompanying documents will show that this was done just days before the past UDP convention. San Ignacio North is of course Omar’s ignored area. Delegate votes were prized then and definitely they are even more prized today as he will be running for leader of a UDP that obviously he is in cahoots with.

Omar is perceived by some as being a clean UDP but that is a species that has never existed.

Now that the Cayo Town Council wants to do their project.

The land now is For Sale if they want it. Omar Figueroa and his cronies are more important than all the San Ignacio/Santa Elena people.

The young Juan getting a PACT cheque for some obscure Karst protection—observing white marl.

Full Land Title (Note the Date)

Red-Handed

WHOSE ECONOMIC RECOVERY…?

John Saldivar wants to move the economy by reviving agriculture, guess he knows the UDP killed it. A case in point is the Sugar Cane Industry. The UDP being in bed with big business precipitated the fragmentation of the Cane Farmers Association. The policy has always been to divide and rule. After demonstrations and strikes that culminated in the killing of Atanacio Gutierrez at Tower Hill, the cane farmers gave in to ASR/BSI who were aided and abetted by the UDP Government.

Their idea of fomenting the agriculture sector has been always to heap tax concessions upon the huge corporations that come to take advantage of Belizean peasants. They have subsidized these businesses and allowed them unfair advantages and pitted them in competition with the small Belizean farmer. This is what passes for Agro-policy UDP Style.

The Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) has been the vehicle used for many a get rich quick scheme for cronies, controlling the importation licenses and distribution of many basic products for the benefit of a chosen few. Far from equipping farmers with information, technical advice or even fertilizers and seeds, the Ministry of Agri-

culture under the UDP has done nothing to minimize the ravages of drought and climate change which have affected farmers for years.

The grants and assistance received after catastrophic losses due to climate conditions have gone beyond pitiful to being downright offensive and a slap on the face of hardworking Belizean farmers.

The current Ministry of Housing has nothing to show for the last decade of its existence and millions in budget allocation. It is incredible that it has taken a pandemic of apocalyptic proportions, driving Belizeans to the brink of total socio-economic collapse, so that an ex member of cabinet could suddenly become aware of the thousands countrywide that live in abject poverty and deplorable living conditions. On second thought, maybe it was the greed for leadership that cleared up his vision. The potato, onion growers of the North have had no assistance from the UDP and the papaya growers saw their entire industry fold. The citrus is crumbling and in an effort to save the jobs of thousands have switched to pineapple growing and processing now. Dear ole John wants to take us back to great infrastructure projects and housing. The World Bank estimates that worldwide

about one third of monies ear marked for infrastructure projects are lost to corruption. Might one third not be too conservative a figure in Belize? If such blind focus on infrastructure development is what got us here in the first place, should Belize continue down that road?

John Saldivar has made no mention of raising the minimum wage to reflect a living wage, which is one direct way to lift people out of poverty. This would provide the Belizean worker with dignified and fair remuneration for their labour.

He has made no mention of the fact that even now SSB has increased the contributions further cutting into the disposable income.

No mention was made about plans to root out corruption which is the principal reason behind wastage, and a decline in investor confidence.

Belize to be sure lacks economic diversity and an acceptable degree of self-sufficiency and food security. Moving forward these are key things we must develop in order to become resilient. Our ability to adapt to any foreign stimulus be it climate change, health crises or economic fallouts will determine our survival. For all his

pontification, John Saldivar does not have the moral authority to speak against corruption having been caught lying about his connection to convicted fraudster Lev Dermen.

As part of the cabinet he is also part and parcel and bears collective responsibility for all decisions of the UDP Government.

His economic recovery plan mirrors what he is all about, himself.

His plan is chock full of fanciful ideas of sports teams making it big, this doesn’t an economic recovery make. The tone deafness, selective amnesia and inability to see the issues make him unfit to lead. The entire essay was not meant to find solutions to the problems made by him and his friends, rather it was a cheap campaign gimmick, used to try to make him relevant. There is more in his recovery for the economies of the same chosen few than there are for the rest of the Belizean people.

CALL

671-8385 or

EMAIL:

belizetimesadvertisement@ yahoo.com

To place advertisement in the Belize Times Newspaper

14 JUN

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT

DEFUND DEAN Our Prime Minister has done it again. It seems every week he does some unacceptable, egregious matter which is not in the interest of our country.

Mr. Barrow approved selling four jet planes for a meagre one hundred thousand dollars each. Each plane values over a million U.S. dollars.

Belizeans are baffled by this move. They cannot understand why the government which is broke and which was threatening public officers, police, BDF, nurses and teachers that if they did not give up their increments, the law would be changed to strong arm their salaries. And then sell four planes for a pittance.

Who would be interested in buying drug planes? Drug dealers?

The second one which is becoming more baffling the more it is scrutinized is the request of government for persons with US currency to sell these to government and get a 6.5 percent profit annually for five years.

Yes, the government is terribly short of US currency which is badly needed to allow purchasing of goods from abroad. The government is seeking to obtain thirty million dollars US currency. It is talking about asking Belizeans in the US and elsewhere to take part in selling their savings to help out.

Wow! Sell your US to a wasteful, corrupt government which is broke and whose Prime Minister won’t be around come November…

Why is the government so broke? Wasn’t tourism pouring in US currency into the country. Wasn’t banana, citrus, sugar cane, Spanish Lookout oil, seafood, lumber and other exports bringing in US currency, before they all started to show decline?

Was there no setting aside some savings for the proverbial, rainy day? The sad answer is no.

What about the massive inflow of US currency for the long list of never ending borrowing to the tune of two billion dollars?

We have no US and we have no Belize monies. The government is dead broke.

How did we come to this? How? Even a street side vendor, selling fruits or panades knows he or she has to set aside a little amount to buy more fruits and more corn. He or she knows there might be emergencies so another little amount is set aside.

Mr. Barrow did set aside. Approximately, one hundred thousand dollars for himself and each of his thirty U.D.P. politicians. They called it Christmas cheer. That amounts to three million, one hundred thousand dollars.

They took another approximate three million dollars and called it Mother’s Day Cheer. Did they have an Easter Cheer as well? You looking at over nine million dollars. What a cheerful gang of politicians we have in charge of our tax dollars.

Did the Minister of Finance who is also Prime Minister, keep all the millions of dollars from boledo and lottery, in the government account? No, he gave the boledo bubby to Brad’s and a certain family member. Imagine. Eleven million dollars each year.

When the Prime Minister overpaid Señor Ashcroft more than half a billion dollars. Was it done on a payment plan of ten million dollars per year? Ha! When the five million dollars were being squandered and stolen was there any concerns that the farmers might face flooding or the country can be devastated by hurricanes.

Now the country is broke. So broke we are wondering if like Humpty Dumpty, it can ever be put together again.

Forty odd thousand Belizeans have not received the little one hundred dollars they applied for under the social assistance following Covid-19. In the most cruel cut of all the program was suddenly closed.

Hey baby! We can’t be funding these ‘Ali Baba and the thirty thieves.’ They got the situation where it is. Rock bottom with no future.

21

PARTY LEADER Johnny Briceño did an excellent job at his press conference on Wednesday of this week. It was a brilliant exposé of the Prime Minister’s 30 million dollars bond to raise US currency.

In addition, Johnny answered questions from the media on a wide range of subjects. He was straight forward, honest and down to earth. This is what a Prime Minister should do. Answer the people. Be honest, be straight forward. Don’t hide behind big words, fake responses and false promises.

The visuals and the optics were good.

Proud of our Party Leader.

NIGEL PETILLO Nigel Petillo has once again touched a raw nerve regarding the increasing demand by Belizeans for a piece of land. He organized a second meeting last week and again for the second time the government sent the police to break up the gathering.

As Nigel pointed out why wasn’t an official from the Lands Department sent to collect information from the desperate land seekers in order to provide a needed service.

Nigel was a strong supporter of the UDP leading up to the last election. This support was used to get a certain UDP lands on mile 42 on the roadside. Pablo and his group, got lands and Ali Baba and his gang took the remaining thousands of previously privately owned lands.

RAPE IN OUR ARMY Like all the other scandals that emerged during the horrible reign of the UDP government, the despicable reports of multiple rape allegations in the BDF will be covered up.

That we guarantee the unfortunate victims.

There is no justice under this present government.

22

THE BELIZE TIMES

14 JUN

2020

PUP Standard Bearers

Appealing to their Constituents Excerpts of FB Posts

Hon. Jose Mai, Orange Walk South This is the price cane farmers are getting paid in Quintana Roo..... do the math and compare to Belize. It is sad to be Belizean cane farmer!! Shame and disgrace.

On the government!! Shame and disgrace on ASR!!! Shame, shame!!

Equivalent to $108.00 Bz per ton of sugar cane..... Belize cane farmers are receiving $47.00 per ton!! Shame and disgrace!!. #BlackOutTuesday Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Dangriga Time to change the Government they will be going around making all the offers and after they win nothing is done for rural areas.

The village of Mullins River has being neglected for the past 12 years under this Government. I visited the small village on the coast yesterday and gave each family a bag of groceries. It was a small token i hope they appreciate it, thanks to J.R Reed and his group out of the states for their contribution. I observed that the village was in high bush and lots of mosquitos, I Immediately told the chairman I will make arrangement for the village to be bushed.

I contacted Ministry of Works Stann Creek and I was told that if the tractor is used on the weekend I will have to provide the driver’s salary. I agreed without any objection low and behold immediately after, my opponent was informed and he called the chairman of Mullins River that he will be sending the tractor tomorrow. The chairman and people of Mullins River knows better. What he and the government should be engaged in is to rebuild back the water tank that collapsed a couple months ago?

Hon. Landy Habet, Cayo Northeast It is fitting to recognize the good and selfless assistance provided by Quality Poultry in repairing the much dilapidated road between Bullet Tree and Spanish Lookout.

This road was almost impassable.

Thanks to Manager Raymond Barkman and his team for their invaluable assistance to the people of Cayo Northeast and other users.

Andre Perez, Belize Rural South Congratulation to the graduates from the San Pedro High School on behalf of Mr. Andre Perez!

Hon. Julius Espat, Cayo South These are the losses our Valley of Peace farmers will now face. Surely this is a hit to many famers around the country. I hope that the same way they have sustained our country during this time of emergency and need the Government will come to their aid.

S e n a to r Louis Zabaneh, Dangriga Please join me in congratulating some exceptional women in Dangriga - Michelle Irving, Denise Flores Henry, and Erica Jang.

My sister, Michelle Irving, has been serving our Dangriga community for many years, especially women and young girls facing many challenges. She has deservedly received recognition from Queen Elizabeth for this wonderful work. Thank you Mich for your selfless work!

Mrs. Denise Flores Henry has been very active in educational development and is the district President for the BNTU. She has helped with numerous worthy causes over the years.

(I am proud to have been one of her teachers along her journey). Thank you for your wonderful service Ms. Denise!

Councillor Erica Jang has also been serving in the education sector for many years and has participated and assisted in many social efforts. She has also taken her aspiration to the political arena to serve. Thank you Councillor for working with those who are in need in our community!

We have many in our communities who serve others. They deserve to be recognized and we have much to learn from their sincere commitment to make the lives of our people better.

So please join me in congratulating these outstanding women in Dangriga and I humbly encourage you to do the same for others in our communities across our lovely country. Together we will overcome Covid-19; together we will change our country for the better! God bless you!

Kevin Bernard, Orange Walk East The discussion that should be going around at this time, is what plan do we have to save the economy and country? We cannot continue to focus only on the tourism sector, but (should focus) on other industries as well. Diversification is also key in the Agriculture Industry. We must produce more to export. Opening up of new markets in Central America and in North Mexico is also something we need to do as a country.

We cannot go by what the PM(Barrow) said in one of his last messages, that he grieves for Belize. He was at the helm since 2008 and this is what we face today after 12 years of mismanagement and a corrupt Government.

Let’s reset that button but bring meaningful and better ideas that will shape this country for the next 200 years.

Jorge ‘Milin’ Espat, Cayo West Digamos SI a la prosperidad de Cayo Oeste y el bienestar de nuestra gente y mejor gobernación. ¡Nos cansamos de esperar lo mejor, por eso vamos con todo a decir NO AL ABANDONO! ¡JUNTOS PODEMOS! Esta elección 2020 votemos por nuestros candidatos PUP #2020añodelCAMBIO Are you registered to vote? REGISTER TO VOTE The Elections and Boundaries office in Cayo West is now open from Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you need assistance in getting registered please contact Mr. Manuel Mendez 604-0673, Mr. Alfred Kuylen 625-6163, Mr. Joe Mendez 635-5977 or Mr. Marco Chable (Succotz) 652-2995.

Our country is in crisis with an incompetent government which has failed our people during the most vulnerable moments. The best never came and certainly will never come with this administration. It can only be possible if we make a change. The only way you can change the direction of our future is by VOTING. YOUR VOTE MATTERS! Get registered on time as we gear towards a decisive moment in Belizean Politics. Stay Safe. Best wishes from your PUP Cayo West candidate.

Oscar Mira, Belmopan The Leader of our great party, the Hon. John Briceño hosted a Mother’s/Father’s day program virtually and on TV and they were the winners for Belmopan. The PUP Family in Belmopan is excited, we cannot wait for the General Elections to return the PUP back to Belmopan. The energy of the Belmopan PUP Family is amazing! #TeamMira Candice Pitts, Mesopotamia ——To the Graduands of 2020: All of our realities have been changed as a result of COVID-19. With respect to you all, what should be one of the most celebratory events of your lives has been overshadowed by the uncertainties and fears of the moment.

For many of you, the school year ended abruptly and senselessly. There were some who needed to improve and redeem their grades to ensure graduation, and there were those who were very certain they would have graduated. In any event, you all are now here, about to make a significant transition in life.

Graduation is a significant ceremony for many of us. There are some people who will be first generation graduands. There are some people whose academic success was the only dream for their parents and grandparents. That dream would have materialized and become more real when the graduand walked across the stage to receive that diploma.

When I was a student, I remember I used to work very hard and used to go the extra mile to ensure I would graduate, in part because I knew my mother could not wait to be at my graduations. She used to sit in the audience with great pride, and that alone gave me so much joy.

But even though you all won’t be able to celebrate these events with the traditional accompaniments, such as prom, graduation, and the grand party, we must acknowledge your hard work and success.

You have made it! To the ones who made it with distinctions: Bravo! To the ones who made it by the skin of their teeth: Bravo! You all will now receive your diploma with some academic inscriptions and an institution’s sealed affixed. However, do remember that the degree will mean only that—some academic inscriptions—until you use it: So Make Maximum Use of It! Congratulations to all of you, on every level, from those graduating pre-school, primary school, and high school, to those graduating from College and Graduate School! You all are the generation of Change. Embrace that New Reality. Let your light shine brightly and walk into your Greatness! ~CAP #Graduation2020 Oscar Arnold, Collet “The Power of the People is Greater Than the People in Power” Ghonim....#teampolocollet.

Ed. Note: Readers please be mindful that these are excerpts. For the complete comment/releases/posts of our PUP leaders visit, like and follow their FB profiles and pages.

14 JUN

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

23

THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IS ILLEGAL

BY EAMON H. COURTENAY SC The first positive case of the dreaded COVID 19 virus was identified in Belize, on the 23rd March 2020, the second on the 25th March 2020. As a result of the first case, the Governor General declared a state of public emergency for Ambergris Caye only. Regulations were issued by the Governor General that restricted freedoms of persons in Ambergris Caye.

At the same time, the Director of Health Services issued Regulations under the Quarantine Act limiting gatherings to ten persons or less, imposing social distancing of three feet, closing certain businesses such as casinos, bars, gyms, spas and restaurants, requiring work from home where possible and imposing other restrictions. The San Pedro State of Emergency was to last for a period of 72 hours but was extended on the 25th March 2020 for a period of one month. The Quarantine Regulations were to last until revoked.

The virus continued to spread exponentially around the world, and on the 1st April 2020, the Governor General, acting on the advice of the Cabinet, declared a state of emergency throughout the country of Belize. The Proclamation signed by His Excellency stated that “I am satisfied that a public emergency has arisen in the entire country of Belize as a result of the outbreak of the infectious disease known as COVID 19”. The period of emergency was stated to last for one month. During the period of public emergency, severe restrictions were imposed on all persons in Belize as restrictive as those in the Quarantine Regulations (which were suspended) and the borders were effectively closed to persons wishing to leave or enter Belize.

There can be a debate as to whether on 1st April 2020 there was a sufficient threat from COVID 19, to justify a nationwide state of emergency. On balance, I supported the nationwide public emergency especially as medical experts were advising that the risk was real and that the virus was highly contagious. In fact, I was of the opinion, based on advice from medical experts that our borders should have been closed from the 25th March immediately after the first case was imported to mitigate and suppress the spread from imported cases.

Belize experienced its first community-spread cases around the 8th April 2020, and we eventually identified a total of 18 cases of the virus.

The last known case was identified on 13th April 2020. There have been no new cases, whether imported or community-spread, for some fifty days. The borders have been closed since 1st April 2020. In late April the National Assembly extended the State of Emergency for two months.

The impacts of the Emergency Regulations, first issued on 1st April, have been devastating. Life has not been normal since the shutdowns more than two months ago, and the economy has been dealt a

severe blow. There has been massive unemployment, business closures, government revenues are a trickle, and we face a foreign exchange crisis. As a result of forced stay at home orders and the curfew social activity has been severely restricted with attendant problems.

Powerful arguments have been made contending that the continued restrictions on economic activity have become counter-productive. There is much merit in these arguments which may be compelling enough to justify an end to the state of emergency. But, in addition, it is my settled opinion that as a matter of law, the state of emergency can no longer be justified.

It is important to appreciate that the power to declare a state of emergency is to be used sparingly and in very exceptional circumstances. It is only where the objective facts reveal a grave and present danger to life and or property which cannot be managed by using measures contained in ordinary legislation that the extraordinary power can be lawfully exercised. Once the threat has subsided, the Government is under a duty to immediately end the state of emergency.

Section 18 of the Constitution empowers the Government to have the Governor General proclaim a period of public emergency only where: “(a) a state of war between Belize and another State is imminent or that a public emergency has arisen as a result of the occurrence of any earthquake, hurricane, flood, fire, outbreak of pestilence, outbreak of infectious disease, or other similar calamity; or (b) that action has been taken or is immediately threatened by any person or body of persons of such a nature and on so extensive a scale as to be likely to endanger the public safety or to deprive the community, or any substantial portion of the community, of supplies or services essential to life.”

In response to COVID 19, the Governor General was advised by the Government that “a public emergency has arisen as a result of the … outbreak of infectious disease”, and being so satisfied he issued the Proclamation. The question is what is the emergency that exists now, mid-June 2020, that justifies the continuation of the restrictions imposed on the population by the Emergency Regulations? In my opinion, there is none.

Once the state of emergency was declared, serious restrictions were imposed on our rights to personal liberty, to associate and to move freely and our right to work. The decision to impose these restrictions was based on medical advice to the effect that to protect health and life of the general population from COVID 19, it was absolutely necessary to impose measures to reduce the spread of the virus, which measures curtailed fundamental rights and freedoms. Such restrictions can only lawfully be imposed and maintained if there is a real emergency as a result of the outbreak of infectious disease.

The Constitution solemnly proclaims that the “Nation of Belize shall be founded upon principles which ac-

knowledge the supremacy of God, faith in human rights and fundamental freedoms, the position of the family in a society of free men and free institutions, the dignity of the human person and the equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed by their Creator”. It continues: “The people of Belize recognise that men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and upon the rule of law”.

The Constitution is designed to ensure that we enjoy our fundamental rights and freedoms, and that they can only be restricted to protect the public interest. It seems to me that the Emergency Regulations have succeeded in serving the public interest—Belize has been effectively COVID—free for some fifty days. There is now no serious threat to our collective health by community spread COVID-19. The borders are closed so there is no threat of imported cases. The incubation period, by any measure, has passed without new cases being identified. The possibility of asymptomatic cases lurking within our midst is not an emergency that justifies the severe restrictions of our fundamental freedoms.

I recognise the inevitability of the so-called second wave. If that threat emerges, the Public Health Act and the Quarantine Act provide the tools to address the possible threat.

I have reviewed the Public Health Act which was enacted in 1943. The Act confers wide powers on the Director of Health Services, Dr Marvin Manzanero to address outbreaks of infectious diseases and can be used to address a second COVID-19 threat to Belize. The Act can easily and quickly be amended to add the new Corona Virus as an infectious disease. Section 76 can be amended to allow the DHS to identify countries with infectious diseases where “it is probable that such diseases may be brought into Belize”.

By section 77 where dangerous

infectious diseases prevail in Belize, or any town, place or district, the Director may designate such places. In order to prevent and mitigate the spread of the dangerous infectious disease, section 78 provides for “inland quarantine”. Essentially, sections 78 and 82 empower the Minister to provide for quarantines where there is movement of people and goods from designated areas to non-designated areas.

Section 83 is wide and empowers the DHS to make regulations, to be approved by the Minister, which are designed to guard against the spread of infectious diseases. The regulations can reasonably restrict the freedom of movement within Belize and to and from Belize, can also curtail freedom of assembly and association, and restrict the right to work. The Constitution provides for derogations from these rights in the interest of public health and public safety.

With a few amendments, and appropriate regulations, the Public Health Act can be modernised to prevent and mitigate the spread of the new Corona Virus. This would obviate the need for continuing the state of emergency. As mentioned earlier, in March the Director of Health Services issued Quarantine Regulations to address the risk arising from the presence of COVID 19 positive persons in San Pedro. He can use the same tools to address a possible second wave throughout Belize without a declaration of a state of emergency or a curfew.

Until there is a second wave, we should be allowed to enjoy our freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution with only such limitations as are needed to protect the public interest. The curfew must go. We should continue to practice good hygiene and report to medical personnel when we suspect that we are showing symptoms. Additional restrictions in a COVID 19 free country are oppressive and undemocratic. In my opinion, the state of emergency is unlawful and should be lifted without delay.

24

THE BELIZE TIMES

VOICE OF THE COMMON MAN

INSTRUMENT OF DEBT

By Hilly Bennett “Indeed debt has become a new form of bondage, and indebted economies have become indentured economies.” (Iyo, 1996) The Barrow administration has transformed the Belizean economy into an indentured economy with their incessant borrowing and reckless spending. The hallmark cry ‘Governments borrow all the time’, has been the fuel for the UDP’s economic engine, investing in odious infrastructural projects.

Belize’s public debt has ballooned to almost BZ 4 billion dollars.

Seemingly, Barrow has hit the proverbial debt wall and has resorted to a new instrument of debt.

On Thursday, June 4, 2020, Dean Barrow, Prime Minister, Minister of Finance announced his hallmark U.S. dollar- denominated Treasury Note “purposed to augment the stock of official Central Bank reserve.” Additionally, Barrow indicated that, “Government is taking advantage of the opportunity to tap into accounts held by Belizean businesses and individuals for U.S. dollars.”

Clearly, the Treasury Bills Act will need to become amended and parliamentary approval must be sought. This was expressed by Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno at a June 9 virtual press conference.

His wizardry at ‘evilnomics’ is one of Barrow’s cunning characteristics. Apparently, the “precious currency peg” is at risk and currency devaluation is brewing on the horizon.

Undeniably, these Treasury Notes even in US dollars represents additional debt to the Belizean economy. Whenever, a country issues debt in a foreign currency it is to quell the fears of the investors in the advent of currency devaluation.

These Treasury Notes exposes the Belizean Government to exchange rate risk and realized high cost.

The Treasury Notes coupon is listed at 6.5 percent. It is considered relatively high and expensive for Belizean taxpayers.

It is the writer’s opinion that this novel instrument of debt is Barrow’s chosen alternative to acquire dire needed foreign capital when the PM hits the proverbial debt wall.

Hitting the debt wall materializes when countries, including Belize, become dependent upon foreign debt and foreign investment to subsidize their budget or commercial deficits and the monetary spigot is cut-off. Recently, the Prime Minister sought funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The PM was denied access to foreign capital inflows. Quite likely from the lack of “adroit stewardship” regarding the “capacity to maintain sustainable public finances.” Moreover, Barrow has been heedless to the IMF Consultative Mission recommendations.

Once upon a time, the term ‘failed states’ meant countries that couldn’t govern their own territories. Today it encompasses countries like Belize that have lost control of their financial affairs.

The coronavirus pandemic will surely necessitate pragmatic leadership to deal with the economic aftershocks emanating from the self-induced economic crisis. Such leader will practice fiscal responsibility and austerity without compromising the investment necessary for long-term prosperity. This leader will not sacrifice neither fitness nor fairness for the sake of short-term goals. Under the leadership of John Briceño the aforementioned shall be achieved.

14 JUN

2020

14 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

25

Quintana Roo News

Otorgan prisión domiciliaria a Mario Villanueva, tras 19 años de estar en la cárcel

Por La Otra Opinión Former Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, Mario Villanueva Madrid, returns home.

He confirmed this via his account on social media: “Amigas y amigos, deseo informarles con profunda alegría que hoy por la noche me llamó el Consejero Jurídico de la Presidencia, el licenciado Julio Scherer, para informarme que el Tribunal que tiene a su cargo mi caso, había emitido un ACUERDO ordenando mi traslado a la casa.

Imaginen lo que siento después de 21 años y casi tres meses sin pisar mi hogar, con 19 años de cárcel, cuando soy inocente de lo que me han acusado, lo que está debidamente probado con documentos en el Congreso del Estado.

Ahora vamos por el trámite de la libertad, que están gestionando los defensores públicos dirigidos por el licenciado Carlos Gustavo Cruz Miranda, con la Consejería Jurídica de la Presidencia de la República y la Secretaria de Gobernación.”

Former Quintana Roo governor

Mario Ernesto Villanueva Madrid es ingeniero agrónomo y fue miembro del Partido Revolucionario Institucional PRI. (sipse. com)

47 nuevos positivos en Quintana Roo ACTIVOS por municipio (10 de junio) ↘288 Benito Juárez ↘102 Othón P. Blanco ↘77 Solidaridad ↗22 Tulum ➡11 Cozumel El resto menos de 10 casos activos

Mario Villanueva, will continue his sentence for drug trafficking under house arrest, after the court ruling that follows his case, also mentioned that he will now seek the procedure to obtain his freedom.

The former governor explained in the message titled “I’m going home” that what follows is to carry out the release process, which is being managed by public defenders led by Carlos Gustavo Cruz Miranda.

It should be mentioned that Villanueva Madrid has long been asking the authorities to apply for the new Amnesty Law promoted by the current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He was detained in the North Reclusorio and mentioned in an interview with Radio Fórmula that he was confident that the President of Mexico will help him.

We may recall that Villanueva Madrid was governor of the state of Quintana Roo from 1993 to 1999. He was accused of having ties to the Juárez cartel. First with “El Señor de los Cielos” and, on his death with Ramón Alcides Magaña, “El Metro”, one of the main operators of that criminal organization.

Accused of organized crime, criminal association, intimidation and money laundering, the former governor was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the latter crime in 2013. Also, the authorities assessed that he raised $19 million as a result of the illegal activities. (Universal & Forbes)

26

THE BELIZE TIMES

14 JUN

2020

Section

Con este plan, Costa Rica detiene los casos y muertes por COVID-19 Por Israel Pantaleon, forbescentroamerica.com “El éxito ha sido real, pero no es garantía”, reconoce el ministro de Salud costarricense, Daniel Salas, quien señala que sin una vacuna contra el COVID-19 o que haya una inmunidad de la población del 60% o más será posible hablar de una ‘victoria’ contra esta pandemia, por lo que el gobierno sigue con un rastreo oportuno de los casos.

El funcionario reconoce que no es una garantía lo que han logrado en tres meses, así como la idea de que se vaya a mantener esta tendencia, por lo que se seguirá trabajando en responder a los puntos débiles que se vayan presentando, debido a que es necesario hacer escenarios, ya que no es lo mismo la actualidad con lo que sucedía hace dos meses.

Con 1,056* casos de COVID-19 y 10 fallecimientos por este virus, Costa Rica se perfila como unos de los países de América Latina que han enfrentado de mejor forma esta pandemia, en comparación de países como Brasil, que tiene más de medio millón de casos y casi 30,000 muertes por este virus.

Parte fundamental de la estrategia del país centroamericano es tener un sistema de salud universal, que se accesible, el cual es costeado tripartitamente (Estado, Patrón y Empleado), además, de contar con más de 1,200 Equipos Básicos de Atención Integral en Salud (Ebáis) en el país, explica Salas.

“Un sistema de seguridad social unificado que permite hacer flexibilizaciones para adaptarse a las respuestas, permite la distribución de los insumos y de las pruebas de detección de COVID-19. Además, tenemos un laboratorio de referencia de seguridad pública que hace la supervisión dentro de todo el sistema de laboratorios a nivel nacional”, destaca el funcionario público.

El ministro de Salud explica que parte del éxito es tener un Ministerio de Salud como un ente rector que está especializado en el liderazgo del sector, al tiempo reconoce el apoyo del congreso local, así como la toma de decisiones oportuna conforme al avance de la epidemia.

La población ha hecho caso en gran parte a las medidas de distanciamiento social presencial y físico, así como a las medidas de higiene, esto ha evitado el creciente número de casos, puntualiza. “Tener una población que hace caso mayoritariamente de las medidas y de los protocolos es clave para enfrentar esta epidemia”, agrega. Vigilancia,

pilar para la ‘batalla’ El ministro de Salud costarricense, Daniel Salas, destaca que parte del éxito para enfrentar la pandemia se debe a las diferentes vigilancias que realiza el gobierno, que va desde la aplicación de pruebas, la puesta en cuarentena de expatriados y la revisión de aguas residuales.

“Nosotros tenemos diferentes tipos de vigilancia, una de ellas es a través de los lineamientos de vigilancia de COVID-19 que responde la definición de casos, eso está dado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS)”, explica.

Editor: Para más sobre este artículo por favor visite forbescentroamerica.com.

Un sistema de salud universal, diferentes tipos de vigilancia y la realización constante de pruebas, son claves en la estrategia del país centroamericano para enfrentar la pandemia. Daniel Salas, Foto Julieth Méndez

Salvadoran President Vetoes Coronavirus Law Again-Legal Team Por Nelson Renteria, Reuters, via New York Times SAN SALVADOR — Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has for the second time vetoed emergency legislation passed to regulate the Central American country’s coronavirus policy and usher in a gradual reopening of its economy, his legal team said on Saturday.

Bukele’s legal counsel, Conan Castro, said Bukele had vetoed the law backed on May 30 by Congress because it breached a number of constitutional guarantees including the rights and health of workers and cooperation between organs of government.

Castro was speaking to reporters at a news conference in San Salvador with other members of Bukele’s legal team.

Bukele, who has been at loggerheads with Congress for weeks over coronavirus policy, had vetoed a similar law in May on the grounds it put the public’s health at risk. He had said he would do the same with the law passed last weekend.

Bukele has imposed some of the toughest measures in the Americas against the pandemic, repeatedly clashing with lawmakers over the scope of the lockdown he is pursuing.

Bukele’s administration is also ready to sanction any companies that restart operations on Monday without proper authorization, Labor Minister Rolando Castro told reporters at a separate news conference in the capital.

14 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

27

Section

Día Mundial de los Océanos Por fundacionaquae.org El 8 de junio se celebra el Día Mundial de los Océanos. Si pensamos que cubren alrededor de dos tercios de la superficie de la Tierra y son el verdadero pilar de la vida es importante que nos concienciemos de la necesidad de preservarlos.

La presión humana, que incluye la sobreexplotación pesquera y la pesca ilegal, desconocida o sin regular, así como las insostenibles prácticas de acuicultura, la polución marina, la destrucción del hábitat, las especies invasivas, el cambio climático y la acidificación están causando un grave daño a los océanos y los mares.

La ONU también ha emprendido una campaña que bajo el lema “#MaresLimpios, ¡Cambia la marea del plástico!“, pide a los Gobiernos que lleven a cabo políticas para la reducción del plásticos, y apela a los consumidores a que abandonen el hábito de usar y tirar productos plásticos antes de que perjudique irreversiblemente a nuestros océanos.

Algunos datos y cifras sobre los océanos: • Los océanos cubren más de 70% de la superficie del globo. Sólo el 1% de la superficie oceánica está protegida.

• Entre un 50 y un 80% de la vida en la Tierra se encuentra bajo la superficie del océano, que constituye el 90% del espacio habitable del planeta. Menos del 10% de este espacio ha sido explorado hasta ahora por el hombre.

• Un conjunto de organismos marinos minúsculos llamados fitoplancton producen la mitad del oxígeno de la atmósfera mediante la

fotosíntesis.

• Los océanos contienen el 96% de toda el agua de la Tierra. El resto es agua dulce que se encuentra en forma de ríos, lagos y hielo.

• El océano absorbe anualmente cerca del 25% del CO2 que se agrega a la atmósfera debido a la actividad humana, reduciendo así el impacto de este gas con efecto de invernadero en el clima.

• El conjunto de los ecosistemas costeros que actúan como sumideros de carbono, como los manglares, las marismas salinas y las praderas submarinas pueden contener una cantidad de carbono cinco veces superior a la de los bosques tropicales.

• Los productos del mar son la principal fuente de proteínas para al menos una de cada cuatro personas en el mundo.

Coronavirus en Argentina: 5 controversias de la estricta cuarentena en el país sudamericano

La larga cuarentena argentina ha sido exitosa para frenar el coronavirus pero también ha paralizado la economía, en un país que ya estaba en crisis. Istock Por Veronica Smink, BBC New Mundo En enero pasado los argentinos miraban atónitos los reportes desde Wuhan, China, donde millones de personas vivían un estricto confinamiento que buscaba evitar la transmisión de un nuevo tipo de coronavirus.

Seguramente pocos imaginaron

que dos meses más tarde su propio país viviría una cuarentena similar, que incluso sería más extensa que la de Wuhan.

Este viernes Argentina alcanza los 77 días de encierro obligatorio, uno más que la ciudad china donde comenzó el brote, y el gobierno anunció que la medida se extenderá al menos hasta el 28 de junio, es decir, hasta alcanzar un total de 100 días.

Los expertos coinciden en que el “aislamiento social, preventivo y obligatorio” decretado por el presidente Alberto Fernández el 20 de marzo ha servido para contener la pandemia.

Hasta el jueves 4 de junio, el país registraba 588 muertes, 12,8 por cada millón de habitantes, a causa del coronavirus. Eso es mucho menos que las fatalidades en las otras grandes economías de la región, Brasil y México, que no establecieron restricciones fuertes. Incluso es menos que otros países que sí aplicaron con-

finamientos, como Perú, Colombia y Chile.

Pero algunas de las cosas que hicieron que la cuarentena argentina sea tan exitosa -principalmente su extensión y rigideztambién han provocado otras polémicas.

Uno de los eventos que más preocupó a los críticos se dio en el partido de Tigre, un suburbio residencial al norte de Buenos Aires, donde la policía prohibió, bajo amenaza de prisión, una caravana de autos organizada por vecinos de barrios privados para protestar contra el aislamiento.

“El Estado ha tenido que restringir algunas de las libertades pero es en pos del bienestar general”, señaló la ministra de Seguridad, Sabina Frederic.

“El Estado regula, pero no es autoritario, totalitario”, aseguró en declaraciones a radio La Red. Por su parte, el ministro de la Corte Suprema de Justicia Ricardo Lorenzetti coincidió que

el gobierno actúa “dentro del Estado de derecho”. Pero advirtió que las medidas restrictivas “tienen que estar limitadas en el tiempo”.

“Los gobiernos no pueden avanzar sobre las libertades individuales”, afirmó a CNN Radio. “Hay un riesgo de autoritarismo a nivel mundial si la emergencia se prolonga en el tiempo”, indicó.

Pero nada de esto inquieta al presidente, que cada vez se muestra más fastidiado con las críticas y más convencido de los méritos del confinamiento obligatorio.

“La cuarentena va a durar lo que tenga que durar para que los argentinos estemos sanos y para que los argentinos no se mueran”, sentenció al respecto.

1. Salud vs pobreza 2. El Estado que “gasta lo que no tiene” 3. Salud vs pobreza 4. “Concentración del poder” 5. La “falta de libertad” Editor: Para más sobre este artículo por favor visite bbc.com/mundo

28

THE BELIZE TIMES

14 JUN

2020

Section

CDEMA says it’s a hurricane season with a difference

By Alicia Dunkley-Willis, Jamaica Observer ACTING executive dire ctor of the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Elizabeth Riley, classifying the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season as “one with a difference”, says the entity is focused on ensuring it can navigate a multi-hazard situation in light of the current novel coronavirus pandemic.

“This is a hurricane season with a difference, because not only are we seeking to address and manage the threats that are associated with not just hurricanes but also with severe weather events, we also are dealing with the reality of a prolonged drought and the additional complexity of COVID-19,” Riley told a virtual press conference yesterday from CDEMA’s base in Barbados.

She said CDEMA has developed a comprehensive operational readiness programme which comprises, among other things, training exercises and scenario planning in preparation for any eventuality.

“Given the roll-out of the various scenarios this year with the drought [and] COVID-19, we have taken a more proactive approach to the operational readiness programme,” Riley said.

She said at the national level participating states have signalled that the COVID-19 outbreak has provided a jump-start of their national preparatory actions for the 2020 hurricane season.

“It should be noted that COVID-19 is impacting the region during the period when many critical elements of this operational readiness programme were scheduled for implementation and as a result, both the coordinating unit and the participating states are in operational mode,” the CDEMA acting director said.

In the meantime, she said the agency has prepared a readiness checklist for its 18 member countries and anticipates having a full picture of the readiness of participating states by the end of June. CDEMA’s contingency plan has been reviewed and updated, she said. In addition, she said stocks within regional warehouses have been confirmed and training sessions conducted for countries in areas identified as areas of need.

“Training of our deployment teams is underway. We looked at the regional coordination within the context of a second wave of COVID-19, and this is a possibility based on the briefings from our health colleagues and certainly based on the conversation of our states on the opening of borders,” Riley told the press conference on Thursday.

In the meantime, she said CDEMA is in discussion with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

“We have agreed as partners on a policy of do no harm, so our external partners, military and non-military, fully appreciate at this time that we want to ensure that they are taking the necessary measures with respect to ensuring that they are not exposing populations that are to benefit from search support to any additional risk from COVID-19, and similar-

ly we want to ensure that they are also protected from contracting COVID-19,” Riley told the briefing.

In this respect, she said personal protective equipment are being readied for deployment teams.

“We are ensuring that we look at aspects such as insurance coverage for deployment teams, we want to ensure that they are fully covered,” she said.

And noting that deployment teams

may face some delays relating to the speed with which they can get into a country in the aftermath of a disaster, she said CDEMA has worked with countries so that they are able to begin their recovery in the aftermath of a disaster as they work to get the teams in based on the various protocols [quarantines, testing ].

“I can speak to the conversations that we have had across our 18 states

with our national disaster coordinators and the matter of shelter management for 2020 is being taken very seriously by all of our states. Of course the COVID-19 reality [presents] a situation where there is a reduced number of persons who can be accommodated in established shelters [because of social distancing], so all countries are going through a process where they are looking at the principle of home as shelter,” Riley said.

Funds to keep businesses afloat

By Marlon Madden, Barbados Today With about a third of the workforce now claiming unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Government Minister is stoutly defending a decision to assist businesses using the Catastrophe Fund.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn insisted that Government had to take steps to “re-engineer” its resources to ensure that the majority of those currently displaced due to COVID-19, were back on the job in a relatively short time.

As of Friday, there were some 42,797 unemployment claims by individuals who were displaced due to the pandemic.

Straughn, who was leading off the debate on the Catastrophe Fund Bill in Parliament on Tuesday, described the COVID-19 global pandemic as perhaps the most devastating natural disaster that has happened to mankind.

He said Government’s decision to therefore introduce a new Act to govern the Catastrophe Fund, which was first legislated in 2007, was to simply help businesses survive the pandemic and be able to hire people.

“I want to make it clear to the country that what we are doing here today is not in any way to disadvantage any person in the country. It is not in anyway to take away from the fact that we will still continue to build the Catastrophe Fund, and for the very reasons we are making these amendments today is because we need now to ensure, as much as possible, that as many businesses can survive in this

country [and] continue to employ persons,” explained Straughn.

The new-look $50 million Catastrophe Fund, will provide financial aid to eligible self-employed individuals and qualifying businesses affected by a catastrophe.

While there was a previous Act governing the Fund, which is funded by a 0.1 per cent of employee’s insurable monthly earnings, there has been a broadening of the definition of catastrophe in the new Act to include a pandemic, breach of cyber security and act of terrorism.

A month ago Government announced that the fund would be used to keep businesses afloat in the form of a new $40 million VAT Loan Fund.

Since that announcement, Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley and his team, as well as President of Solutions Barbados Grenville Phillips have voiced concern about the Catastrophe Fund being used to provide the one-year interest-free loans to businesses.

However, Straughn dismissed those concerns today, stressing that the move was only one of several initiatives designed to allow for greater cash flow for businesses to quickly get unemployed people back into the workforce.

“The Government’s responsibility is to ignore those cries and focus on channelling and getting everybody focused on what the solution is,” said Straughn, as he promised continued engagement with stakeholders.

He said: “We are not taking the money and just giving it away. We have put some measures in place to improve the cash flow for businesses outside of any other mechanism they may employ from the bank or financial institutions, to ensure we can keep

as many businesses afloat as possible.”

He said while he expected some people to disagree with the use of the fund to help businesses, Government would do what it could to help as many people as possible to keep their “heads above water”.

“Therefore, I say to Barbadians yes, the next few months, the next year will be tough, but we have crafted a response that is as inclusive as it can be in the current circumstances and while I know some may wish to criticise and they are free to criticise, at the end of the day our mission is to ensure that ordinary Barbadians can keep their heads above water,” said Straughn, who also dismissed objections to the newly-introduced Barbados Optional Savings Scheme (BOSS).

Straughn also used the opportunity to reject suggestions that Prime Minister Mia Mottley should trim her 26-member Cabinet, saying the country should judge Government on the basis of its performance and not the size.

“It is important that the country focuses on what is required to get everybody out of this hole rather than focusing on who they think should be tossed aside. The Government’s response is to keep every single Barbadian household afloat during this time so that we can all come out of this together and the reality is that it is going to be difficult,” said Straughn.

The National Insurance Board is responsible for the management and investment of the Catastrophe Fund, and two committees will be established – the Physical Catastrophes Committee and the Economic Catastrophes Committee – for the consideration of and assessment of claims and granting of financial aid.

29

14 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

Section

Asymptomatic spread of coronavirus is ‘very rare,’ WHO says

By William Feuer and Noah Higgins-Dunn, cnbc.com Coronavirus patients without symptoms aren’t driving the spread of the virus, World Health Organization officials said Monday, casting doubt on concerns by some researchers that the disease could be difficult to contain due to asymptomatic infections.

Some people, particularly young and otherwise healthy individuals, who are infected by the coronavirus never develop symptoms or only develop mild symptoms. Others might not develop symptoms until days after they were actually infected.

Preliminary evidence from the earliest outbreaks indicated that the virus could spread from person-to-person contact, even if the carrier didn’t have symptoms. But WHO officials now say that while asymptomatic spread can occur, it is not the main way it’s being transmitted.

“From the data we have, it still seems to be rare that an asymptomatic person actually transmits onward to a secondary individual,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said at a news briefing from the United Nations agency’s Geneva headquarters. “It’s very rare.”

Government responses should

COVID-19. Photo: Image Point Fr - LPN/ BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

focus on detecting and isolating infected people with symptoms, and tracking anyone who might have come into contact with them, Van Kerkhove said. She acknowledged that some studies have indicated asymptomatic or presymptomatic spread in nursing homes and in household settings.

More research and data are needed to “truly answer” the question of whether the coronavirus can spread widely through asymptomatic

Plane passengers test negative for coronavirus before flying then positive on landing

By Andy Rudd, mirror.co.uk

Greece has suspended flights to and from Qatar after passengers on a flight from Doha to Athens tested positive for coronavirus. The Greek civil protection authority said 12 out of 91 people on a Qatar Airways flight that arrived on Monday had tested positive for COVID-19.

“Following these epidemiological facts, flights from and to Qatar are suspended until June 15,” the agency said in a statement.

However, Qatar Airways said that all passengers on the Athens-bound flight were healthy before they boarded the plane in Doha. They claim that all the passengers on Flight QA203 had

tested negative to coronavirus during pre-flight checks.

In a statement Qatar Airways said: “Upon arrival in Doha and before boarding the flight to Athens, all passengers were screened and tested according to the procedures and established health protocols and were found suitable to continue their journey.”

Qatar said that the 12 infected passengers were not from Qatar.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection said in a press release that one person was a Greek national coming from Japan, two were Greek nationals coming from Australia and nine were Pakistani nationals,

carriers, Van Kerkhove added.

“We have a number of reports from countries who are doing very detailed contact tracing,” she said. “They’re following asymptomatic cases. They’re following contacts. And they’re not finding secondary transmission onward. It’s very rare.”

If asymptomatic spread proves to not be a main driver of coronavirus transmission, the policy implications could be tremendous. A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published on April 1 cited the “potential

for presymptomatic transmission” as a reason for the importance of social distancing.

“These findings also suggest that to control the pandemic, it might not be enough for only persons with symptoms to limit their contact with others because persons without symptoms might transmit infection,” the CDC study said.

To be sure, asymptomatic and presymptomatic spread of the virus appears to still be happening, Van Kerkhove said but remains rare. That finding has important implications for how to screen for the virus and limit its spread.

“What we really want to be focused on is following the symptomatic cases,” Van Kerkhove said. “If we actually followed all of the symptomatic cases, isolated those cases, followed the contacts and quarantined those contacts, we would drastically reduce” the outbreak.

Correction: An earlier headline should have said most asymptomatic coronavirus patients aren’t spreading new infections. The word “most” was inadvertently omitted.

Greece has now suspended all flights from Qatar until middle of June. Image by Reuters

coming from the Pakistani city of Gujrat, who have a Greek residence permit, Those who tested positive for coronavirus will be quarantined for 14

days. The passengers who tested negative will have to go into quarantine for seven days and then be retested to make sure they still don’t have the virus.

14 JUN

30

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

Section

Minneapolis City Council members

announce plans to disband police department

By Derek Hawkins, washingtonpost.com Nine Minneapolis City Council members announced plans Sunday to disband the city’s police department. They did not offer a timeline or propose specific actions but said they are “taking intermediate steps toward ending” the force. The group represents a majority on the 12-person council.

Two weeks after George Floyd died in police custody in the city, protesters nationwide say their work is far from over. They continue to denounce entrenched bias in law enforcement and call for sweeping changes.

In stark contrast, two top Trump administration officials said Sunday they do not believe there is “systemic racism” in the country’s police forces. Attorney General William P. Barr suggested he is reluctant to investigate potential deeper policing problems in Minneapolis, where the national firestorm began.

Here are some significant developments: • President Trump said Sunday he is ordering National Guard troops

to begin withdrawing from the nation’s capital. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and others had criticized the use of heavily armed federal officers as security during largely peaceful demonstrations.

• The New York Times on

Maskless protester tests positive for coronavirus after large rally, KS officials say

By Josh Bell, kansascity.com A man who attended a large protest in Kansas without wearing a mask tested positive for coronavirus a few days later, health officials said. The man attended the protest in downtown Lawrence on May 31, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health said in a news release. He was tested for coronavirus on June 4 and health officials received the positive result on June 5, according to the release.

Sunday announced the resignation of its editorial page editor, James Bennet, four days after publishing a controversial op-ed from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) that called for military intervention in U.S. cities racked by protests over police vio-

As part of the contact tracing process, the man told officials he had not worn a mask at the protest, the release said.

Officials are asking those who attended the demonstration to keep close watch on their health.

“Similar to what we would ask anyone who goes out in public right now, we are asking anyone who attended the recent protest to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and isolate if they become sick as well as call their healthcare provider for

lence.

• The concept of defunding the police has become a growing topic of interest as protests continue nationwide. Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have called for the action as one step toward combating what they view as institutionalized racism within police departments.

• Philonise Floyd is scheduled to testify before Congress on Wednesday, the first congressional hearing on law enforcement reform since his brother’s killing in police custody on Memorial Day. • Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama addressed the unrest sparked by Floyd’s death and the coronavirus pandemic in their commencement speeches to the Class of 2020 on Sunday, telling graduates that they, too, are anxious about the events that have unfolded in recent months. “It’s fair to say that your generation is graduating into a world that faces more profound challenges than any generation in decades,” Barack Obama said.

next steps,” Informatics Director Sonia Jordan said in the release.

The coronavirus is believed to spread person-to-person when someone breathes in the respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the agency, and include

fever, cough, chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and loss of taste or smell, among others.

In an interview with radio station WTOP, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he was concerned about the large gatherings of people, adding that there is “certainly a risk” for coronavirus transmission.

“It’s a perfect setup for further spread of the virus in the sense of creating these blips which might turn into some surges,” Fauci told the station. “It’s a delicate balance, because the reasons for demonstrating are valid, and yet, the demonstration itself puts one at an additional risk.”

Health officials have also said tear gas may cause coronavirus to spread more easily since the chemical agents cause burning of the eyes, runny nose, drooling, coughing and vomiting resulting in increased emission of respiratory droplets, McClatchy News reported.

31

THE BELIZE TIMES

George Floyd

14 JUN

2020

Murals Placed Around the World

By Xena Goldman, Cadex Herrera (Belizean), Greta McLain, Niko Alexander, and Pablo Hernandez at the site by munshots

Syrians supporting BLM even with everything they’re going through!

In Nairobi, Kenya by the artist Allan Mwangi Black Lives Matter protests in West Dublin, Ireland

With angel wings and a stop sign against racism in Barcelona, Spain.

His Last words, at Renato Serra Street in Milan.

Destiny Randle at the memorial site

14 JUN

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

32