The Belize Times
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THE BELIZE TIMES
10 OCT
2021
Established 1957
10 OCTOBER 2021 | ISSUE NO: 5270
The Truth Shall Make You Free
www.facebook/belizetimes | $1.00
DIASPORA EMBRACES
planBelize
In an unprecedented extension of love and care for our Belizean brothers and sisters living in the United States of America, planBelize Ministers Anthony Mahler and Henry Usher led a team who visited with and listened to the concerns of the diaspora. These Belizeans were concerned about land issues, remittances, access to funds, and crime. Without meaning to be facetious, there was NO mention of rap music, deportees or expensive brand names. The government of Belize went to the USA to work and to SERVE the PEOPLE even thousands of miles away. Hundreds of thousands of Belizeans live in the USA and they care for Belize. All Belizeans know in their hearts why our loved ones are in the USA. Today we need all the talent, skills, and training back home. The planBelize government is intent in providing a home that caters for all, as this, our country, truly works for everyone.
Pg. 2 GOING BACK SAFELY
BRICEÑO/OBRADOR BILATERAL
Geographic location of the school and the level of virus transmission in that area
Mexican Independence Ceremony
Teacher vaccination status for the school
Return w/ Another 100K Vaccines
Student vaccination status for the school (considering eligible students)
“unidos con el pueblo de Belice”- Presidente Obrador “Vaccines is a basic human right” – PM Briceño
Shrimp Exports to Mexico will Resume Pg. 2
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Physical readiness of the campus to accommodate students Community context of the school and the need for a return to the classroom
“PROTECT OUR CITIZENS & BRING CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE”
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Cabinet Brief: New Covid Measures Soon | Youth Training | Cohune Industry
VACCINATIONS SAVE LIVES
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10 OCT
THE BELIZE TIMES
Diaspora Embraces planBelize
Serving the People Belizean Diaspora and Government Officials Meet in US Cities Monday, October 4, 2021 - Some 400 Belizeans living in the USA attended Town Hall Meetings held in Houston, Chicago, New York and Miami from September 28 - October 3, 2021, organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora
Relations (MTDR) through its newly established Diaspora Relations Unit (DRU). The Belizean diaspora plays an integral role in the overall development of Belize. It is estimated that over 300,000 Belizeans are currently living abroad, and
Cabinet Brief Belmopan. 6th October 2021. 5:25 p.m. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met in regular session on 5th October 2021. • Cabinet met with a few members of the COVID-19 Health Advisory Task Force for an update on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and to make recommendations for the coming months. The group of medical doctors advised Cabinet that while progress was being made in terms of the number of persons vaccinated, the public must continue to take all precautions since this third wave has not yet peaked. In addition, the team of doctors presented a series of recommendations, for Cabinet’s consideration, to aid in preventing the spread of COVID-19. These recommendations would cover the period from October to December 2021 and will be announced shortly by the Ministry of Health & Wellness. • In an effort to better control the outbreak of COVID-19, Cabinet approved the establishment of a COVID-19 Enforcement Unit within the Ministry of Health & Wellness to oversee responsibilities for the maintenance of supervision and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in all businesses and other establishments. • Cabinet was updated on the status of vaccinations and the number of vaccines available in Belize. As of 3rd October 2021, 198,580 persons or 48 percent had received at least one dose of the vaccine and 139,157 persons or 34 percent have been fully vaccinated. • Cabinet approved a three-pronged approach to crime prevention that is centered on social development, change behavior and violence interrupter components complemented by evidence-based policing presented by the ministries of Home Affairs, Youth and Human Development. • Cabinet gave its approval for Belize to accede to the Madrid Protocol for the international registration of marks administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization and for the implementation of the Madrid Protocol into the domestic legal framework and for the Belize Intellectual Property Office personnel to be trained in preparation of the full implementation of this Protocol (BELIPO). This will require a review and amendment to the existing Trademark legislation and training of personnel at BELIPO. • Cabinet approved an initiative by the Ministry of Youth, Sports & E-Governance to provide for youth mainstreaming in Belize. Youth mainstreaming is a strategy which provides young people with opportunities to partake in skills training and other important roles as a means of becoming involved in the leadership of society in the future. Many young people need training in areas that cannot be provided by the private sector of our society but which can be provided by government departments such as Fisheries, Health, Mining and Geology so that they can gain experience or become interested in the future with the aim that they will be the leaders in those areas as well as mainstream society. • Cabinet gave its approval for Amendment to the Customs and Excise Tariff Introduction of Phase 8 of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Trade Agreement with the European Union (EU) and approved legislation for the implementation of this phase of the EPA which will result in the removal of import duties from goods from EU countries. • The Ministry responsible for New Growth Industries was given approval to form a working group to facilitate the development of a National Cohune Industry. This working group will comprise stakeholders and representatives from the ministries of Energy, Economic Development, Trade, Local Government, Immigration, Sustainable Development and New Growth Industries and has been tasked with coordinating and supporting initial investment and incentive requests of the cohune industry. • In partial fulfilment of its Plan Belize Manifesto promise to make it easy and transparent to conduct business in Belize by eliminating meaningless and excessive bureaucracy and to modernize systems and processes for greater efficiency, Cabinet gave its approval for an addendum to the 2010 Temporary Employment Permit Policy to allow for the processing of applications for temporary employment permits in a more expeditious manner. • Finally, Cabinet strongly urges the public to wear masks, maintain physical distance and wash hands regularly. For those not fully vaccinated, get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccinations save lives.
the majority of those are residents of the United States. Belizeans living abroad continue to contribute to Belize’s economy in many ways including investment, tourism, expertise exchange, philanthropy, and remittances. The main objective of the meetings was to reach out to a wide cross-section of Belizeans living in and around these cities and to exchange information and ideas that will contribute toward nation-building. The Government of Belize delegation consisted of the Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations; the Hon. Henry Usher, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform; H.E. Lynn Young, Ambassador of Belize to the United States and Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organization of American States; Mrs. Sandhya Murphy, Ambassador for Diaspora Relations; Mrs. Nicole Solano, Chief Executive Officer in the MTDR; Belize City Councillor Mrs. Stephanne Hamilton, Councillor for Tourism and Diaspora Relations; Mr. Paul Thompson, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining; and Ms. Sandra Mahler, Senior Liaison Officer in the MTDR. Hon. Gilroy Usher, Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics and H.E. Carlos Fuller, Ambassador to the United Nations, joined
Shrimp Exports to Mexico Will Resume The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the phytosanitary health body that oversees plant and animal health for Belize, including exports and imports, has recently indicated that Belize has gotten the green light to renew the export of shrimp to Mexico. BAHA has been in constant contact on several areas of export and import with their counterpart authorities from Mexico, the Mexican National Agro- Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality Service (SENASICA), and today confirmed that the Mexican authorities via Mauricio Flores Villasuco, director of Aquaculture and Fishing Health at SENASICA, has given the go-ahead for shrimp exports to resume. The shrimp export license expired in 2019, and due to COVID-19 restrictions, the requisite inspections connected with license renewal had been delayed. Shrimp exports represent a potential market of at least BZ$87 million with employment for some 1,500 persons, according to shrimp industry figures. The Mexican market is a significant part of that total value and is especially significant to Belize because of its proximity. Costs such as ocean freight are not factored into the calculation of the total value of the exports. Shrimp production has been down since 2015, particularly due to disease affecting the production of shrimp on local farms. Lately, however, the shrimp sector has been given a boost through intervention from the Government of Belize for financing for the sector and new technologies being implemented in the design of ponds. The announcement follows the recently held bilateral working meeting where Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, and his Mexican counterpart, Dr. Victor Manuel Villalobos, agreed on partnerships in areas of agriculture between the two countries, including the export of shrimp. This is another resounding success for Plan Belize, as agriculture leads the way in the country’s economic recovery.
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the meeting in New York. Mrs. Leticia Castellanos, Honorary Consul of Belize in Chicago and Ms. Janine Sylvestre, Honorary Consul of Belize in Florida also joined the meeting in their respective cities. “Belize’s development will require the input and contributions of all Belizeans, those at home, as well as those around the globe”, commented Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations. “These types of meetings with our fellow Belizeans abroad allow for personal interactions, and allow us to listen and understand the needs of our people. We will schedule a meeting in Los Angeles before the end of this year, and intend to continue the dialogue in other cities as well.” The format of the Town Hall Meetings allowed for discussions among the government officials and the Belizeans in attendance. The ministers of government provided updates on the current situation in Belize, with an emphasis on the plans for economic recovery. The Ambassador for Diaspora Relations provided details on the plans for the DRU and explained some of the initiatives being undertaken by the unit. During the Question & Answer segment, those in attendance were given the opportunity to make comments, express concerns, and raise matters that require follow up. A business card raffle was also conducted, and four lucky Belizeans won Belizean products, including a four-night stay in Caye Caulker, Belize, courtesy La Isla Resort. Three Belizean restaurants were visited on this tour. Bow’s Taste of Belize, a prominent Belizean restaurant, hosted the meeting in Houston. Ovo Frito Cafe and Garifuna Flava Restaurant hosted the delegation in Chicago, both owned and operated by Belizeans. Ongoing collaboration with the various Belizean business associations in the various cities will ensure further reach within the Belizean diaspora. This is the first in a series of activities being planned by the MTDR that are designed to strengthen relations with the diaspora and identify opportunities for business and development in Belize.
The Belize Times
Established 1957
14 APR 2013
|
ISSUE NO: 4840
The Truth Shall Make You Free
www.belizetimes.bz
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$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
10 OCT
2021
THE BELIZE TIMES
EDITORIAL Bringing Back Belize!
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he Government has been busy getting down to the many tasks at hand, and too busy to decry who is at fault for the ghastly mess left behind on the economic front or for the shambles in our societal fabric that has caused the increases in poverty, crime, and violence. This government is focused on catalytical solutions to move our economy forward and upward, to increase employment, educational opportunities and drive down crime, poverty, and violence. The blame game is tired, and Belizeans need solutions not more lame-duck excuses. When the opportunity to lead and govern is bestowed upon individuals and any political party it is then that those ideas must be put into practice. Back seat drivers are a source of constant annoyance, and their pestering presence is rarely welcome. Prime Minister Briceño has been occupied on the international front, first in Guatemala and more recently in Mexico, and has come home both times triumphantly having discussed and secured agreements that will benefit trade and bring significant investment to Belize. Already President Lopez Obrador has indicated that the Tren Maya will come close to the border and Belizean shrimp farmers have regained permission to export to the immense Mexican market. Prime Minister Briceño also came back with one hundred thousand more Astra-Zeneca vaccines and unlike many of our neighbours in the region, Belize has enough to cover her entire population. These visits speak to the commitment of this government to increase the opportunities for Belizean businesses to gain a foothold on the world market, there are agreements for cooperation in agriculture and the cattle trade which Minister Mai has regularized and made official and contributes significantly to our foreign reserves. The Special Envoy for Families and Children, H.E. Rossana Briceño also took this opportunity to meet with her counterparts and forge ties of friendship and cooperation with SNDIF the Organization for Development of Families and Children in Mexico. This is with a vision to enhance the existing relationship to provide more assistance to Belizean children with diverse abilities that have special needs. These accords are also important as they elevate the quality of care and life of one of our most vulnerable sectors of society. The Minister with responsibility for Tourism and Diaspora Relations was also busy in the United States of America in a series of highly anticipated public town hall meetings. It is estimated that there are three hundred thousand Belizeans living abroad and most are in the USA. These Belizeans contribute to the country by the remittances they send back home and the business investments they make back home. The Belizean Diaspora also plays an important part as they contribute significantly by way of patronage to the arts, music, and cultural events. Their contributions and concerns are important and as such the delegation headed by Minister Mahler seeks to welcome their participation and continued collaboration. There is no stone that can be left unturned seeking the solutions to so many problems plaguing our small nation. Prime Minister Briceño, his Cabinet and his working team labour tirelessly attacking these ills on all fronts. Already he has committed to investing in several key programs and initiatives on the Southside of Belize City where gang violence is at its peak. These programs are aimed at young people, putting them back into school and decreasing poverty and increasing job opportunities and training. There will be tangible results to these efforts, and they will help to quell the violence that rages in the city. Meanwhile, a certain eager area rep tours foreign countries, on the advice of his Hollywood manager, touting his false reformation and vindication at long last. The PUP government, the Prime Minister and all his Cabinet work to better the living conditions of all Belizeans, even those in Mesopotamia, where it seems Sunday dinna will be forgotten this week. It matters not, PM Briceño will Bring Back Belize!
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THE BELIZE TIMES
en Español EDITORIAL ¡Recuperando a Belice!
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10 OCT
2021
l Gobierno ha estado ocupado en las numerosas tareas que tiene entre manos, y demasiado ocupado para condenar al culpable del espantoso desastre dejado atrás en el frente económico y de los destrozos en nuestro tejido social que han provocado el aumento de la pobreza, la delincuencia y la violencia. Este gobierno está centrado en soluciones catalíticas para hacer que nuestra economía avance y suba, para aumentar el empleo, las oportunidades educativas y para reducir la delincuencia, la pobreza y la violencia. El juego de la culpa ya canso, y los beliceños necesitan soluciones, no más excusas pendejas. Cuando se concede la oportunidad de dirigir y gobernar a individuos y a cualquier partido político, es entonces cuando hay que poner en práctica esas ideas. Los conductores del asiento trasero son una fuente de molestia constante, y su presencia fastidiosa rara vez es bienvenida. El primer ministro Briceño ha estado ocupado en el frente internacional, primero en Guatemala y más recientemente en México, y ha vuelto a casa triunfante en ambas ocasiones tras haber discutido y asegurado acuerdos que beneficiarán al comercio y traerán importantes inversiones a Belice. El presidente López Obrador ya ha indicado que el Tren Maya se acercará a la frontera y los camaroneros beliceños han recuperado el permiso para exportar al inmenso mercado mexicano. El primer ministro Briceño también regresó con cien mil vacunas más de Astra-Zeneca y, a diferencia de muchos de nuestros vecinos de la región, Belice tiene suficientes para cubrir a toda su población. Esas visitas hablan del compromiso de este gobierno de aumentar las oportunidades para que las empresas beliceñas se afiancen en el mercado mundial, hay acuerdos de cooperación en agricultura y el comercio de ganado que el ministro Mai ha regularizado y oficializado y contribuye significativamente a nuestras reservas extranjeras. La Enviada Especial para la Familia y la Infancia, S.E. Rossana Briceño también aprovechó esta oportunidad para reunirse con sus homólogos y forjar lazos de amistad y cooperación con el SNDIF la Organización para el Desarrollo de la Familia y la Infancia en México. Esto con la visión de mejorar la relación existente para brindar más asistencia a los niños beliceños con capacidades diversas que tienen necesidades especiales. Estos acuerdos también son importantes porque elevan la calidad de atención y de vida de uno de nuestros sectores más vulnerables de la sociedad. El ministro responsable de Turismo y Relaciones con la Diáspora también estaba ocupado en Estados Unidos de América en una serie de reuniones públicas muy esperadas. Se calcula que hay trescientos mil beliceños que viven en el extranjero, la mayoría en Estados Unidos. Estos beliceños contribuyen al país con las remesas que envían a casa y las inversiones empresariales que realizan en su país. La diáspora beliceña también desempeña un papel importante, ya que contribuye significativamente a través del patrocinio de las artes, la música y los eventos culturales. Sus contribuciones y preocupaciones son importantes y, como tal, la delegación encabezada por el ministro Mahler desea acoger su participación y su colaboración continua. No hay piedra que dejar sin remover en la búsqueda de soluciones a tantos problemas que aquejan a nuestra pequeña nación. El Primer Ministro Briceño, su Gabinete y su equipo de trabajo trabajan incansablemente atacando estos males en todos los frentes. Ya se ha comprometido a invertir en varios programas e iniciativas clave en la zona sur de Ciudad de Belice, donde la violencia de las bandas está en su punto álgido. Estos programas están dirigidos a los jóvenes, para que vuelvan a la escuela y para reducir la pobreza y aumentar las oportunidades de empleo y la formación. Estos esfuerzos tendrán resultados tangibles y ayudarán a sofocar la violencia que hace estragos en la ciudad. Mientras cierto ansioso representante del área recorre países extranjeros, aconsejado por su mánager de Hollywood, pregonando su falsa reforma y por fin su ansiada reivindicación. Este gobierno del PUP, el primer ministro y todo su gabinete trabajan para mejorar las condiciones de vida de todos los beliceños, incluso los de la Mesopotamia, donde parece que la “dinna dominguera” se olvidará esta semana. ¡No importa, el PM Briceño traerá de vuelta a Belice!
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2021
“PROTECT OUR CITIZENS & BRING CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE” Violence against older people is a global issue. Older people remain vulnerable to neglect, abandonment, and abuse. However, we note the distressing occurrence in the cases of violent crimes perpetrated against older men in Belize. In less than two weeks, active older men have been murdered in or near their homes. These cold-hearted crimes cannot be left to fade quietly into the noise of everyday news. These perpetrators must be caught and brought to justice. Older people are the backbone of this country. They have worked and continue to work to provide for themselves, their families, and the development of the country. Any Belizean having worked and built a life for him/ herself has the right to enjoy the fruits of their labour without fear or threat. Having older people being targeted because of their vulnerability is unacceptable. It is no secret that, as a nation, we are grappling with a rise in crime. These instances of violent crimes against older people highlights that crime and violence impacts every person in our society and interventions must involve all citizens. We call on the Police Department, community watch organizations, older person organizations, churches, and every member of our community to keep our society safe. The Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Affairs and the National Council on Ageing continue to do our part to support and advocate for older persons safety and well-being. You can do your part by reporting suspicious activities, checking in on older people who are living alone and reporting any crimes you may have witnessed to your local police department. It is only through united efforts can we protect our citizens and bring these criminals to justice. “A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future. Let us strive to enhance their capacity to support themselves for as long as possible and, when they cannot do so anymore, to care for them.” ~ Nelson Mandela in a message announcing 1999 as the United Nations International Year of Older Persons, 17 December 1998
THE BELIZE TIMES
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THE BELIZE TIMES
México y Belice honran a Morelos, héroe de la independencia mexicana Por Contacto Hoy Noticia de EFE Ciudad de México, 30 sep - El presidente de México, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, y el primer ministro de Belice, Johnny Briceño, conmemoraron este jueves el natalicio del héroe independentista mexicano José María Morelos en uno de los últimos festejos del bicentenario de México. Desde el estado de Morelos, que lleva el nombre de este prócer, López Obrador reivindicó que su Gobierno, bautizado como la “cuarta transformación de México”, sigue las enseñanzas del héroe independentista. “La cuarta transformación implica abolir el régimen de privilegios que prevalecía, un régimen de desigualdad, pobreza y violencia, fundado en la falta de honestidad en el servicio público y en el predominio de la corrupción”, dijo. Además, López Obrador expresó el “deseo” de los mexicanos de “estar unidos con el pueblo de Belice”, país invitado al evento. Morelos (1765-1815), conocido como el Siervo de la Nación, fue una destacada figura de la guerra de la independencia mexicana, promotor de la igualdad, la división de poderes y el fin de la esclavitud, quien murió fusilado por orden del virrey de la Nueva España. El primer ministro de Belice, Johnny Briceño, alabó la figura de Morelos porque supone “el sacrificio personal para el beneficio del pueblo, algo que en nuestra era es muy difícil poder
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encontrar”. “Como pueblos hermanos y colindantes compartimos muchos problemas de desarrollo pero también muchas aspiraciones”, añadió Briceño, quien definió al pueblo beliceño y al mexicano como “vecinos y hermanos”. El primer ministro de Belice, país caribeño fronterizo con México, fue el único jefe de Gobierno que asistió el martes al evento por el bicentenario de la independencia mexicana, en el que el presidente de Estados Unidos, Joe Biden, participó a través de un mensaje en vídeo. FIN DE LOS EVENTOS Este evento estaba programado como la última de las conmemoraciones de 2021 por los 200 años de la independencia mexicana y los 500 de la conquista de Hernán Cortés, pero el Gobierno añadió otro para festejar el aniversario de la Armada mexicana. La intención de López Obrador era que durante estos eventos, el Gobierno mexicano, el español y la Iglesia católica se disculparan por los “agravios” cometidos contra los indígenas. Pero la carta que envió en 2019 al rey Felipe VI enfrió las relaciones con España, país que ha declinado participar en estos eventos y el lunes canceló a última hora su presencia en el gran acto del Zócalo capitalino para festejar el bicentenario de la consumación de independencia de México. En cambio, el papa Francisco envió una misiva este lunes en la que
reconoció “los errores del pasado” y reiteró su petición de “perdón por los pecados personales y sociales” cometidos por la Iglesia durante la conquista y evangelización del actual México.
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2021
El expresidente del Gobierno español José María Aznar se sumó este jueves a la polémica burlándose de la petición de López Obrador y subrayando que el nombre y apellidos del presidente mexicano tienen origen español. “‘¿Y usted cómo se llama? Yo me llamo Andrés Manuel López Obrador’. Andrés por los aztecas; Manuel por parte de los mayas; López es una mezcla”, ironizó. EFE
BELIZE RECEIVES SECOND BATCH OF COVID-19 VACCINES FROM MEXICO On October 2, 2021, the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Health & Wellness, received 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Government of the United Mexican States through its embassy in Belize. The handing over ceremony was held at the Philip Goldson S.W. Goldson International Airport. In June 2021, the first batch of 100,000 vaccines was donated by the Mexican Government. Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness, in his address said that the second donation is a milestone in the unwavering partnership between the two countries. “The donation of an additional 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine by the people and government and people of Mexico to the people and government of Belize is a testament of our strong bond. As the Minister of Health and Wellness, I want to thank the government of Mexico for this gesture of goodwill. The vaccination of our people will not only help in the health of Belize, but will contribute to its social and economic development,” stat-
ed Hon. Chebat. In her remarks, H.E. Martha Zamarripa Rivas, Ambassador of Mexico to Belize, said, “In these four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Embassy of Mexico will continue to promote actions that tend to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Mexico and Belize, for the benefit of our communities.” Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño noted that the donation speaks to the commitment of the Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his government to aid developing nations, particularly in making vaccines available. “They believe that access to vaccines is a basic human right… Now he is giving us another 100,000 vaccines today.” Also present at the ceremony were Mrs. Rossana Briceño, Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children; Mr. Iker Amílcar Jiménez Martínez, director general of Global Investment, Mexico; Ambassador Amalia Mai, CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and other officials from the governments of Belize and Mexico.
10 OCT
2021
THE BELIZE TIMES
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Discurso del Primer Ministro
JOHN BRICEÑO
En el Evento Conmemorativo del 256 Aniversario del Natalicio de Jose Maria Morelos y Pavón 30 de septiembre 2021 Jojutla, Morelos, Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Excelentísimo señor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, presidente de Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Su Excelencia Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, Canciller, Otros distinguidos invitados, Pueblo de Morelos, Buen día a todos. Para mí y para Belice es un gran honor haber sido invitado para la clausura de las celebraciones del 200 aniversario de la independencia de Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Es aún más la distinción el haber sido invitado al evento conmemorativo del Natalicio de Jose Maria Morelos y Pavón “El Siervo de la Nación” aquí en la ciudad de Jojutla, Morelos. Como uno de los héroes de la Independencia, Jose Maria Morelos lucho junto a Hidalgo para hacer de México un país libre e independiente como hasta ahora lo es. Es el espíritu y determinación de hombres y mujeres mexicanas como Morelos que lograron hacer del pueblo mexicano un pueblo fuerte, con mucha determinación y a la vez bondadoso y de mucho sentimiento humano. Morelos no solo lucho como militar para ponerle fin a la colonización de España sino también para acabar con la esclavitud de su pueblo. Un pueblo en el que vio tanto sufrimiento y tanta injusticia. Desde 1811 y hasta 1814, Morelos, ayudado por muchos lugartenientes, logró conquistar la mayor parte del sur del país y una parte del centro, en la región del actual estado de Morelos, convirtiéndolo en el principal enemigo del ejército realista. El “Siervo de la Nación” también organizó el Congreso de Anáhuac, el primer cuerpo legislativo de la historia mexicana, cuyas sesiones tuvieron lugar en el actual Estado de Guerrero. Allí Morelos presentó el famoso documento “Sentimientos de la Nación”. El Congreso aprobó el 22 de octubre de 1814, la primera Constitución de México. Seres humanos, mejor dicho, héroes de valor y convicción como Morelos, Hidalgo, Allende, Guerrero y si... mujeres como Leona Vicario y Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez deben permanecer en la historia, no solo de México, sino también de la región y el mundo entero. Su historia es una de sacrificio personal para el beneficio de su pueblo. Esto...en nuestra era… es muy difícil de poder encontrar. Es una historia que ha pasado de generación a generación y permanece aún pertinente. No hay satisfacción más grata para un ser humano que poder liberar a su pueblo... de emancipar a la población. Aunque esto parezca solo una historia que nomas aprendemos en la escuela o le contamos a nuestros hijos y nietos... hoy en día los ideales de estos héroes siguen siendo acertados, aun en un mundo tan moderno como el que hoy vivimos. El establecimiento, que hizo Morelos, de la división de poderes, en el legislativo, ejecutivo y judicial siguen siendo pilares de la democracia moderna. La visión de hacer de la educación obligatoria y gratuita igualmente sigue siendo un ideal que muchos países todavía persiguen en el siglo Veintiuno. También Morelos tuvo la gran visión de concederle el voto a todo mexicano y de limitar la repartición de tierras de cultivo y así limitar la formación de latifundios. Hoy les traigo los buenos deseos del pueblo de Belice y mucho agradecimiento al pueblo mexicano. Como pueblos hermanos y colindantes compartimos muchos problemas de desarrollo, pero también muchas aspiraciones. Es todo esto que nos hace acercarnos más y valorarnos como hermanos y vecinos. ¡Sigamos este camino emprendido! ¡Que Viva Morelos! ¡Que viva México!
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THE BELIZE TIMES
COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS FOR THE PROJECT “IMPROVED ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR UNSERVED VILLAGES AND HOUSEHOLDS” The Government of Belize and BEL, in collaboration with the “Lait Up Belize” project, organized a closing stakeholder consultation workshop for a project being funded by the European Union that aims to provide solar energy for rural communities and households in Belize that do not yet have access to electricity. Universal access to renewable energy is recognized by the EU as a basis for socio-economic development and increasing the standard of living of a country’s residents. Although 90% of Belize’s population has access to a reliable source of electricity, 2,300 households or 13,000 people representing 36 villages across the country do not have access to modern forms of energy. Recognizing that Belize has a large, but still widely untapped potential for renewable energies, the EU has agreed to grant BEL funds for the design, construction and operation of solar powered mini-grid / off-grid systems for rural electrification in Belize. A total of 5 Million Euros or 10.6 Million Belize Dollars has been made available to BEL under the grant, which will be used to bring solar energy to electrify unserved villages in the remotest
parts of Belize. The communities visited are rural villages of the Toledo District in southern Belize where the extension of the national electricity grid is still deficient due to the remoteness and low population of the region. The event took place from the 27th September to the 30th September 2021. It was attended by the Honorable Michael Espat, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development & Investment; the Honorable Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics; the Honorable Oscar Requena, Minister of the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Local Government & Labour; Chief Executive Officer Mr. Valentino Shal of the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Local Government & Labour; and other senior public officials. The national electricity provider BEL supports Belize’s decision to ensure equitable access to electricity for all Belizeans. The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics – with the Energy Unit – will execute the implementation of the project in partnership with BEL.
2021
Excessive Noise from Motor Vehicles The Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics through the Department of Transport hereby reminds owners and drivers of motor vehicles, particularly tractor trucks and motorcyclists, that operating such vehicles in a manner that causes excessive noise is prohibited. This is in accordance with regulations 128, 135, and 136 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Regulations. No vehicle shall be used on any public road if it is not equipped with a silencer to reduce the noise from its exhaust, and no tractor truck shall use Jake brakes within any municipal boundary. The department will be carrying out enforcement operations throughout the country to ensure compliance with these regulations. Excessive or unreasonable noise is a public nuisance that affects community residents; therefore, it is encouraged that drivers of tractor trucks refrain from using Jake Brakes in residential areas and silent zone areas.
BELIZE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT MAP
From USA
Alaska Airline Seattle & Los Angeles American Airlines Miami, Charlotte, Dallas & Los Angeles Delta Air Lines Atlanta & Minneapolis Frontier Orlando & Denver Southwest Houston (HOU) & Denver Sun Country Minneapolis United Houston (IAH) Chicago, Denver, Newark & Los Angeles
Orlando
From Canada Westjet Calgary & Toronto
From Mexico & Latin America COPA Panama City
TAG Guatemala City Troipc Air Cancun, Roatan & San Salvador
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Third Field Trip to Unserved Villages in the Toledo District
Figure 1: Key stakeholders with the village leaders of San Benito Poite Village in the Toledo District
FOREST DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC NOTICE
Belmopan. October 1, 2021. The Forest Department informs the public of its precautionary measures and procedures while continuing to provide services to the public during the COVID- 19 pandemic in Belize. 1. To adhere to the policy of social distancing and other health and hygiene measures, the Forest Department offices will be interacting with the public primarily through its office numbers, emails listed below, and Facebook page (Forest Department Belize). 2. The new working hours for the Forest Department are as follows: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 3. All persons requiring urgent services provided by the Department are requested to call the nearest office at the following numbers: • Belmopan 822-1524 or 822-2079 • Savannah 523-2417 • San Ignacio 804-3280 • Orange Walk 302-2208 • Machaca 702-2765 4. Applications for Forest Licenses may be picked up at any Forest Department office or requested from secretary@forest.gov.bz or through Facebook. Applications may be dropped off or submitted via email. 5. For further information contact the following: CONTACT INFROMATION VIA EMAIL
PROGRAM
secretary@forest.gov.bz
General Queries
sfm.manager@forest.gov.bz
Forest Management and Licensing
wildlife.manager@forest.gov.bz
Wildlife Management and Research Permits
Figure 2: Meeting with village leaders at Machakil Ha in the Toledo District
The Forest Department thanks the public for its cooperation with these new measures to continue providing services while safeguarding the health and wellbeing of staff and the public.
Figure 3: Village leaders of Boom Creek, Toledo walked through high waters to meet with the Energy Stakeholders on the roadside
Belmopan. October 1, 2021. The LAIT UP BELIZE! Project, steered by the Energy Unit of the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics, alongside the Ministry of Rural Transformation, continued its operations to reach villages in the Toledo District with no access to electricity. From September 27 to 30, 2021, the team visited villages in the remote areas of Boom Creek, Machakil Ha, Dolores, Otoxha and San Benito Poite. The field trip was the third conducted in the Toledo District – and fifth in the country – as the final phase of data collection to establish a national plan for energy access in Belize. The national plan seeks to identify electricity service options, based on line extensions (from the national grid) or mini-grid technologies to provide the same level of service to all citizens in Belize. The field visits serve to determine what technical solutions are appropriate for providing electricity to these unserved customers by meeting with the villagers to assess their consumption needs and to conduct onsite inspections, and then to further stratify resources for investing in the required infrastructure. The field trip as well as the national plan are funded by the European Union (EU) and organised by the technical assistance project called LAIT UP BELIZE! The EU is also providing a grant of EUR$4.5 million to Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) for providing mini-grid infrastructure with hybrid solar/diesel generation and battery storage for some of the villages that will be identified as suitable for this kind of electricity infrastructure. The hope is that additional allocations of funding can be sought for providing electricity to all the unserved villages in the country. This will serve to meet the national policy objective of universal access to energy services, which is also a target in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Present at the meetings were Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics; Hon. Michael Espat, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment; and Hon. Oscar Requena, CEO Valentino Shal and other representatives of the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government. Representatives of key stakeholders such as BEL, Digi, the National Authorizing Office, and the technical support team from the LAIT UP BELIZE! Project also attended the visits.
NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF DISSOLUTION
Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the following companies (“the Companies”) incorporated under the IBC Act of Belize commenced dissolution as follows: Name of Company
Date of Commencement of Dissolution
Liquidator Name & Address
BLUE HOLE COMPANY INC.
29th September, 2021
Marielus De Leon of Edificio No. 57, Primer Piso, Via Argentina, Urbanizacion El Cangrejo, Panama City, Republic of Panama
CLINICA EINSTEIN S.A.
29th September, 2021
Marielus De Leon of Edificio No. 57, Primer Piso, Via Argentina, Urbanizacion El Cangrejo, Panama City, Republic of Panama
BENMORE LAKE BUSINESS CORP.
29th September, 2021
Angel Victoriano Aguirre Masaquisa of CDLA. Huancavilca MZA 13 Villa 10 Planta Baja, Guayaquil, Ecuador
BAY CAPITAL INC.
29th September, 2021
Ariel Issac Blustein Liberman of Street Leyenda Patria 2942, A 401, Montevideo, Uruguay
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT GROUP INC.
29th September, 2021
Marielus De Leon of Edificio No. 57, Primer Piso, Via Argentina, Urbanizacion El Cangrejo, Panama City, Republic of Panama
Any claims against the company should be forwarded to the Liquidator within 30 days from commencement. Sucre & Sucre (Belize) Ltd. Registered Agent
10 #YourMoECST - Committed to
Going Back Safely
Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, Francis Fonseca: “Our number one priority is the health and safety of our students, teachers, administrators, staff and their families. The Guidelines for School Operations for the 2021/22 Academic Year reflect our recognition and acknowledgment of this important responsibility and provide a structured framework to support the awareness, preparation and capacity of our Education Community to navigate the critical challenges brought on by the Covid Pandemic. Covid will be with us for the foreseeable future. We must learn to manage it more effectively and to live with it in a safe and responsible manner. Covid has had a devastating impact on our Education System particularly our most vulnerable and at-risk communities and students. We are greatly concerned about the mental wellness and social development of our students. These are challenging times. It is important for us all to be patient, understanding and flexible. No one size fits all. We are all in this together. We must each do our part. We strongly encourage all our teachers, students and parents to get fully vaccinated. This represents our best opportunity to return to the classroom safely. Finally, we remind you that guidelines are meaningless if we do not make full and effective use of them. Please familiarize yourself fully with the Guidelines(details shared with schools). Share and discuss them with your School Community. We thank each of you for your support and commitment to the important work that lies ahead. Working together, We can MAKE EDUCATION WORK FOR BELIZE!” Again, the health and safety of our school community is our Ministry’s number one priority. We will follow a criteria, as supported by the recommendations of the Ministry of Health & Wellness Belize, to decide which schools will be chosen to transition to hybrid learning beginning next week. Our criteria takes into account, the following: 1) Geographic location of the school and the level of virus transmission in that area 2) Teacher vaccination status for the school 3) Student vaccination status for the school (considering eligible students) 4) Physical readiness of the campus to accommodate students with the required COVID-19 protocols, and 5) Community context of the school and the need for a return to the classroom #YourMoECST recognises that the COVID-19 realities for each school community are dynamic, and that data collection is a new process. The goal is for us to remain aware of our realities, to have a structure within which our schools can operate, and can stay connected and supportive of one another during these challenging times. No plan is perfect, and no one plan can suit everyone. We fully anticipate that the status of some schools will change, from Green to Yellow to Red and back again, in the coming months. But we will begin, as best we can, to manage our new reality of hybrid education. The Ministry and the Government of Belize will do this because our children need to return to the classroom, even if it is only for a few days per week or a few hours per day. #YourMoECST - Committed to Going Back Safely!
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IMPROVED ACCESS TO QUALITY WATER SERVICES
FOR THE SPANISH TOWN SECTION OF SARAWEE VILLAGE, STANN CREEK DISTRICT
Today, October 7th, 2021, the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government in partnership with the Belize Social Investment Fund (SIF) and Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) held an inauguration ceremony for the water supply project in Sarawee Village, Stann Creek District. The total cost of the project was BZ$355,000 with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Government of Belize (GOB), and the community of Sarawee Village contributing BZ$337,250 BZ$14,750 and BZ$3,000, respectively. The availability and supply of safe water will contribute significantly to the reduction of incidences of waterborne and communicable diseases within the community thus improving the quality of life of over 1,000 residents in Sarawee. The community will now have access to safe water to meet their daily water needs for household use, as well as agriculture. The provision of safe water in rural communities supports the Government of Belize’s aim to meet Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 6.2 of the SDGs aims to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” with Target One, which is to “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” The project scope of works included the installation of three miles of distribution pipes and funding to offset 175 connection fees. Works also included the enhancement of the pumping system, which enabled the Belize Water Services Limited (BWS) to facilitate adequate water pressure to serve
the community. The new BWS connection replaces an old water system that was constructed in 1993. Prior to the completion of the water project, villagers obtained water from rainwater collection, private wells, and a standpipe. SIF in collaboration with BWS implemented the water project. Present at today’s inauguration were Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government; Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics; Dr. Hon. Louis Zabaneh, Area Representative for Sarawee and Minister of State in the Ministry of Educa-
LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Allan Dale Kelly is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Kelly’s Kool Food” located at # 9223 Rootsville Reserve, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
Notice is hereby given that Craig Hayes is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Turneffe Flats”, located on Turneffe Island, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Craig Hayes is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Turneffe Flats”, located on Turneffe Island, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
tion, Culture, Science and Technology; and Mr. Valentino Shal, CEO in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government.
UNDP and the Global Fund supports the Ministry of Health and Wellness through the Delivery of a GeneXpert Machine
Continued on Insert 3
2021
Notice is hereby given that Noe De Jesus Martinez is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Martinez Shop” located at # 58 Daisy Hornby Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
Delivery of a GeneXpert Machine Belmopan, October 1, 2021 – In continuing with COVID-19 response efforts, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Belize Country Office under the framework of the Global Fund project titled “Building Resilience Through Innovation and National Accountability for the HIV and TB Response in Belize” has delivered a Cepheid Gene Xpert Machine to support the Ministry of Health and Wellness in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. During a small ceremony today in Belmopan,
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Notice is hereby given that Orlando Quan & Ycenia Juan are applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Cenote” located in Sand Hill Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Eleanor Gillett is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Ms. G Mini Shop” located in Teakettle Village, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Shi kai Li is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “88 Shikai Shop” located at # 7386 Antelope Street Ext., Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Shi Ping is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “999 Fing Shop” located at # 7030 Iguana Street Ext., Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Reynaldo Arzu is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Crafty’s” located at # 16 Jamaica Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Delvorine Herrera is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Dee’s Cool Spot” located in Bermudian Landing Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
10 OCT
2021
THE BELIZE TIMES Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow: 11 Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow: Committed to Excellence Committed to Excellence
s t s y l a t a C s t s y l Cata
In education, we assert that the roles of teachers and students have changed dramatically. We’ve got to face the facts; the students were put in charge when we shifted from face-to-face to online learning. Students determine if cameras and microphones are on/off, if the work is In education, we assert thateven the of teachers and students have changed dramatically. completed and attendance are determined by In education, we assert that thesubmitted; roles of teachers androles students have records changed dramatically. We’ve got to the face students the facts; the‘checking students were put in charge We’ve when wegot shifted from face-to-face to online learning. Students determine if cameras and microphones are on/off, if the to face the facts; the students were put in charge when we shifted from face-to-face in’. Students are now the primary drivers of their education, THE CATALYSTS, work is completed and submitted; even attendance records are determined by the students ‘checking in’. Students are now the primary drivers of their educato online learning. Students determine if cameras and microphones are with power to shape both the present and the future. tion, THEthe CATALYSTS, with the power to shape both the present and theon/off, future. if the work is completed and submitted; even attendance records are determined by the students ‘checking of their education, THE CATALYSTS, in’.times, Students are now the primary drivers Intimes, Pre Covid online learning Administrators have been yet are John bombarded with us de- School In Pre Covid online learning was primarily used in ThisStudents is long overdue. Dewey encouraged a Learning Management System or otherthrust such platforms. higher learning environments, e.g., tertiary and working cades ago to make learning relevant for the learners. We invite you to reach out, let us collaboratewe with the power to shape both the present and the future. was primarily used in higher learning again into uncharted territory, navigatingserve information, from all kinds of students. These students were older (typically 18 years the same purpose: shaping responsible citizens that environments,e.g., tertiary andto lessons of online fromtheir all innova'teachers' throughoutofthe day, within to 35 years), but they were automatically expected the knowledge and learning courage to apply Cease conceiving education as withhave meet higher behavior expectations concerning time tion to critical issues. working students. These students mere preparation for latersocial life, and sectors. their homes, on television, management andCovid organizational in addition to In Pre times,skills, online learning Students are bombarded withof the pres-School Administrators have been thrust yet make it the full meaning were oldercapabilities. (typicallyThey 18 years to 35 learner is inand a dynamic state ofthat remedia. They learn on their schedules Each academic and technical were expected Develop keep to a work routine was primarily used in higher learning againb) into personal uncharted territory, navigating information, from all kinds of to know better, know more. Our teachers scrambled to spects time: nights and weekends. Keep our ent life. years), but they were automatically up, and selectively immerse themselves evolution. We’ve got to upgrade, level remain inenvironments,e.g., their traditional roles, speed learning all the school-related emails, messages, paperwork on tertiary and of online learning and from all 'teachers' throughout the day, within with lessons expected to meet higher behavior update regularly. Building online inthe what their interests technical wherewithals, hosting synchronous classes vidSo as ‘brickpiques and mortar schools’ reopenand slowly, work-andcampus. working students. These students sectors. their homes, on television, social eo calls during the ‘normal school day,’ struggling to keep ing with groups, it’s time to reinvent how we serve our expectations concerning time classes is labor-intensive, time-consuming capture their attention. up with the curriculum all the18 distractions of online students. gotlearn to set up cultureschedules of mentoring and find aispurpose that unites our school were older amidst (typically years to 35 EachThird, learner in a dynamic state ofcommunity. media.We’ve They onatheir away from traditional management andtheorganizational skills, support within each school, and we have to own both work. games, social media, and within home. AskShifting the hard questions of ourselves: What inspires us to years), but they were automatically evolution. We’ve got to upgrade, level up, and selectively immerse themselves We have an excellentclassrooms work in education? in addition to academic and technical our online to online learning platforms like isface-to-face the new space. and better Whatand The reality is that when closed our campuses in opportunity flip the script rearrangeand how learning expected towe meet higher behavior and update regularly. Building online in what topiques theirand interests capabilities. They were expected to Google mean teachers got to copy normal? March of 2020, our classrooms disappeared, and the anis delivered throughout the school year. What’sdid the not purpose of learning? Match those answers expectations concerning time classes is labor-intensive, time-consuming capture their attention. nouncement catapulted our students to an older version with the ways we create as we continue to serve. Look know better, know more. Our teachers and paste- or, so we hope. Students’ First , the labels. Teachers are best of themselves-or, so we hoped. our data: Are our class working? Are our schools away fromsizes traditional management and organizational skills, Online learning and face-to-face learning have their pros work.atShifting scrambled to remain traditional and described attendance reflects original nowforas facilitators, 'guides Fast forward to August 2021; business in as their usual just cons, but it’s time each school community to too big? What lessonsthat havethe we learned as asetup school in We’ve addition tousher academic and technical classrooms tolastonline learning platforms like new andthebetter What isasthe won’t do it.roles, got to in a new and better norcollaborate a unit and find best fit, that unique and during the twenty months? What are our necessary speed learning all the technical of online learning, whether for a short time on the side.' Facilitators support mal every school year. The fast five facts are in: teachers personalized interventions? capabilities. They were expected to Google did not mean teachers got to copy normal?balance of learning and leading. wherewithals, hosting learning synchronous students in finding deeper learning to or most of the time, is now out of time. are everywhere, content is everywhere, just know during better, know more. Our teachers and pasteor, so we hope. Students’ First thebenefits? labels. Teachers are best doesn’t happen the traditional school day, are, the Fourth, the experiential opportunities we make available classes video calls during thelearning ‘normal Whatcourse materials, connecting learning is primarily student-led,to and student in understanding is Questions like “when up” will hopefully go attendance in our community critical our learners. The conscrambled remain their traditional reflectsarethat thefororiginal setup described now you as grow facilitators, 'guides good news? struggling with real-world scenarios, andmagically What’s best servedschool among aday,’ network of learners.to keep up with away. Learners will appreciate that no door tent wethe choose to focus on in our curriculum and what roles, speed learning all the technical of online learning, whether for abeshort time on the side.' Facilitators support opens, no day arrives or that no switch activates. The This weisteach the classroom should connected to a longin overdue. John Dewey the curriculum amidst all the providing support as they complete Studentswherewithals, are bombarded with information, from all kinds beauty of theirin contributions to the world starts now, real-world hosting synchronous of theapplication time, isopportunity. now out Students of time.practice netstudents finding deeper learning to or most encouraged us decades distractions online social assignments and benchmarks. of ‘teachers’ throughout theof day, within games, their homes, on today. working, collaboration, socialago skillsto andmake decision making classes video calls during the ‘normal course materials, connecting learning television, media, social media. They learn on their schedules real time with their peers. and within the home. Students best described as self- learning relevant for the learners. Thereare is no date or age and selectively immerse what piques What’s the good news? school day,’ themselves strugglingin to keep uptheir with with real-world scenarios, and reStudents are now the primary drivdirected learners seek to apply interests and capture their attention. quirement onwho leadership.
the curriculum amidst all the The reality is that when we closed our
providing support as they complete their knowledge to problems that
This is long overdue. John Dewey Cease conceiving of ers of their education, THE CAT-
education as mere preparation for later life, Cease conceiving of and make it the full education as mere meaning of the present life. preparation for later life, and make it the full meaning of the present life.
We are grateful to young like Greta Thunberg encouraged us decades ago to make assignments and leaders benchmarks. ALYSTS, with the power to shape in equalize interestthat them. TheyOnline participate for modeling beautifully. interactions learning relevant forpresent the learners. Students are best described as selfboth the and the future. the contributions of our youth, who think differently, and discussions and interact with peers in whose novel ideas shouldwho be incorporated into decisions directed learners seek to apply to form their opinions that various will impactways them. Our students will get ‘GRITT-ier.’ As Finally, we keep working; let’s lead the learning together. their knowledge to problems that their learning awakens and heightens their awareness, It matters, and a good education allows the present to and develop their decision-making they’ll be more driven, committed to the long campuses in March of 2020, our inhaul. These come to life every day. It does not end here. As catainterest them. They participate themselves-or, hoped. skills. The bestbutpart, for thewith facilitator, Students are best described asso self-we directed learners are challenging times, the students GRIT will be lysts, we subscribe that education is constantly changed, classrooms disappeared, and that theindiscussions and interact with peers in who seek to apply their knowledge to problems successful. and we will continue to witness, navigate and live with Fast forward to August 2021; business the role also includes being a learner. terest them. They participate catapulted in discussions our and interact change. The beautiful vision is that our dreams, creannouncement various ways to form their opinions So ativity, as the ‘brick andwill mortar reopen usualways justtowon’t do opinions it. We’ve Teachers network, research and with peers as in various form their andgot de- to What are the next steps for school leaders? and innovation shape schools’ a bright future and an students to an older version of for the andwedevelop their decision-making velop their usher decision-making skills. The best part, First, work with our parents. To provide the appropriilluminated present. slowly, working with groups, it’s time to in a new and better normal discuss with have theirtopeers. They facilitator, the role also includes a learner. Teachate support, parents be to reimagine the themselves-or, sobeing we hoped. skills. The best part, forallowed the facilitator, reinvent how we serve our students. We’ve every school year.with Thetheir fast fiveThey facts rolesexplore strategies and tools tofacilitator. keep ers network, research and discuss peers. and responsibilities of the learner and Fast forward totoAugust 2021; business With thetherole also includes being athe learner. explore strategies and tools keep learners engaged. focus remaining on the learner, role and regot to set up a culture of mentoring and are in: teachers are everywhere, learners engaged. sponsibilities been ramped up. Parents So as the ‘brick and mortar schools’ reopen as usual just won’t do it. We’ve got to Teachershave network, research and are the now content learning just Second, what is new is andeverywhere, better about school? essential medium for life skills training for their children. support within each school, and we have to slowly, working with groups, it’s time to ineach a new and better normal discuss with their peers. They That is ausher question school has to decide for themown both our online and face-to-face doesn’t happen during the traditional Second, what is new and better selves. every school year. The fast five facts Creating a workspace withand limited distractions is only the reinvent how we serve our students. We’ve explore strategies tools to keep school day, learning is primarily aboutEach school? beginning. family now finds itself poised to practicespace. We have an excellent opportunity to to set up a culture of mentoring and are in: teachers arethrust everywhere, learners engaged. School Administrators have been yet again into all the ways they will motivate, inspire, organize while got student-led, and student flip the script and rearrange how learning is That is a question each school has to uncharted territory, is navigating with lessons of online teaching social skills, appreciation of the environment support within each school, and we have to content everywhere, learning just understanding is best served among a and decide delivered throughout the school year. themselves. learning from all sectors. instill civicfor pride. What is distractions the new and better normal? of online games, social campuses inare March of 2020, our First, the labels. Teachers best described now as media, and within Facilitators the home. facilitators,classrooms ‘guides on the side.’ support studisappeared, and the dents in finding deeper learning to course materials, conannouncement necting learning with real-world catapulted scenarios, andour providing that whenand webenchmarks. closed our The reality is assignments support as students they complete to an older version of
doesn’t happen during the traditional network of learners. Each learner is in day, a dynamic state of school learning is evolution. primarilyWe’ve got to upgrade, level up, and update regularly. Building student-led, and student online classes is labor-intensive, time-consuming work. Shifting away from traditional to online understanding isclassrooms best served among a learning platforms like Google did not mean teachers got network of so learners. to copy and paste- or, we hope. Students’ attendance reflects that the original setup of online learning, whether for a short time or most of the time, is now out of time. What’s the good news?
own both our online and face-to-face Second, what is new and better A about “well-thy” community is one with strong parentalspace. We have an excellent opportunity to school? involvement. Parents, we continue to work alongside That is a question each school has to flip the script and rearrange how learning is you. We will teach students to immerse themselves intodelivered throughout the school year. decide forourthemselves. making their learning matter, constantly connecting the textbook/materials to the issues of the day.
Second, a) it doesn’t mean that our learners are left behind for schools with little, no, or unacceptable connectivity to
Jamie Lee Usher School Leader Belize High School Belize City, Belize
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BUILDING AND STRONG Briceño Cabinet at Work
PM and the Ambassador from the United Arab Emirates
Visit with the Diaspora
In Chicago Prime Minister arrives
In Houston
Discussing the Dubai World Trade Expo and Belize’s participation
In New York
In Miami Covid-19 briefing on October 5, charting a way forward
Bilateral Meeting in Mexico
Mexico Covid Vaccines Donation
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PM COVID RECOGNITION AWARDS TO BELIZE RURAL CENTRAL Covid Recognition Awards to some our selfless contributors to the community. They have stepped up during Covid and flooding to assist BRC villages and communities. Thank You!!
2021 DT-��̈�(3).pdf 1 2021/9/8 下午1:44
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Prime Minister John Briceño, the National Executive of the People’s United Party, the Belize Times, Vibes Media and all of our PUP Family
Greet The Republic of China Taiwan
A Happy National Day Double Ten Day
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Human Resources reports to the President of the University and engages with the Offices of the Vice President, the Deans, Directors and Chairs of the University. The Director is also the point person for liaising and engaging with the recognized Union in the University on all IR matters. The key role of the Director is to provide overall strategic human resource leadership and Industrial Relations functions of the University of Belize and to also demonstrate exemplary management of these functions. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Major responsibilities include the following: • Strategic leadership and direction for the University, so as to ensure that the Human resources of the University are aligned with the needs of the various functionary Offices and consistent with the University’s Transformational Plan. • Planning, administering and managing a full-scope HR program including staffing, recruitment, classification and employee compensation, employee contracts, performance evaluations, merit promotions, including developing strategic planning goals for the University. • Providing expert advice and input to the University’s leadership, faculty and staff including developing options and recommendations to resolve difficult HR matters and complex employee and industrial relations problems. • Leading negotiations, monitoring execution, grievance procedures and appeals, contract administration, employee discipline and related matters. • Monitoring and evaluating HR programs to ensure they comply with the applicable laws, rules or regulations of Belize and are compatible with the University’s mission and strategic planning goals and its HR policies and programs. • Embracing and leading change in a proactive manner, with the sensitivity to the interrelationships between and among different organizational stakeholders and to the management relationships within the University. Ensuring a good and healthy industrial relations climate within the University, driven by best practices in HR and IR. • Leading and managing the HR Office including its staff, assigning duties and measuring performance, planning and executing the approved budget, delivering training functions, managing the health insurance scheme, gratuities and pensions, loans, recognition and awards together with overall staff engagement programs. JOB QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Labour Relations or Industrial Relations, together with proven experience as an HR Director/Manager for an organization with large numbers of employees.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES Experience in collective bargaining agreements • Knowledge of the Labour Laws of Belize and • • good industrial relations practices Ability to supervise and train employees to • Contract management, compensation and support the work of their Departments, including administration organizing, prioritizing and scheduling work • Records maintenance assignments • Performance measurement and monitoring • Negotiation skills • Health Insurance and Pension schemes • Multitasking skills • Conflict resolution and mediation • Strong interpersonal and communications skills • Knowledge of compensations schemes, and the ability to work effectively with a wide rewards and recognition range of constituencies in a diverse community COMPENSATION Commensurate with the level of qualification and experience. INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO APPLY AND VIEW FULL JOB DESCRIPTIONS: Online: https://www.ub.edu.bz/work-at-ub/ | Email: ubjobs@ub.edu.bz Please upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, the names and addresses of three referees (including present or past employers and work colleagues), transcript of highest degree, copies of relevant degrees and certificates, and a valid police record.
Queries may be addressed to: ubjobs@ub.edu.bz
Deadline to Apply October 15, 2021
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
TENDER Distribution Vegetation Management BEL invites tenders for Distribution Vegetation Management for the period January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024 at the following locations: Belmopan Dangriga
Orange Walk San Pedro and Caye Caulker San Ignacio Independence
The bidding documents, which outline all the duties and responsibilities of the contract, and dates for the pre-bid meeting are available on BEL’s website at www.bel.com.bz/Tenders.aspx Bidders are encouraged to attend a virtual pre-bid meeting to be held on Thursday, October 21 2021. Submission of interest to attend the meeting can be sent to bidboxrequest@bel.com.bz no later than 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 18, 2021. Tenders must be submitted via email to bidsubmittal@bel.com.bz no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2021. The email subject should include the bid number located on the respective bid form.
For more information or queries, send email to bidboxrequest@bel.com.bz Cost incurred for preparation of the tender document is the sole responsibility of the bidder. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.
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VOICE OF THE COMMON MAN PRIME MINISTER BRICEÑO STATE VISIT TO MEXICO: IGNITING A FOREIGN POLICY THAT ADVANCES BELIZE’S DEVELOPMENT by HILLY BENNETT On October 2021 the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development headed a powerful delegation on a historic state visit to Mexico. The delegation consisted of his wife Rossana Briceño, Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. José Mai, Hon. Christopher Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment; and Ms. Narda Garcia, Chief Executive Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister. The PM held discussions varying from a partial scope agreement (PSA) to areas of education, infrastructure, agriculture, arts and culture. The underlying objective is to strengthen and expand commerce and cooperation between Belize and Mexico. Interestingly, a central focus in the BLU plan is the need to negotiate trade agreements with Mexico and the world and to explore new avenues of cooperation to open new markets for Belizean products and investments. Consequently, another milestone of PlanBelize is being realized. Economic experts have long been suggesting that for significant development to be realised, Belize would need a bigger market consequentially attracting major investments. The dictates of economist Schott in 2001 that the Belizean economy is not ready to compete in the Western Hemisphere, let alone globally is in turnaround mode. Historically, Belize and Mexico have experienced an excellent relationship. One based on mutual respect and longstanding cooperation. However, the President of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his government
has shifted the focus to strengthening the relationship in Belize becoming a strategic partner in the countries’ development. Both Belize and Mexico have been benefiting from the informal trade and the entering into the formal PSA signals fluid trading activities. Moreover, the PSA with Belize could bolster Mexico’s integration into the CARICOM market and Belize could be a key player in Mexico achieving its goal in the cross country trade. Nonetheless, Mexico is interested in the pursuit of business opportunities in the Belizean market. One such opportunity is the acquisition of the island of Caye Chapel, transforming it into a touristic attraction. Former Ambassador Quesnel Melendez was impressed that Belize with a population of some 420,000 plus could attract and accommodate more than a million tourist to its shores. Melendez declared at the same time, that the state of Quintana Roo attracted over 11.5 million visitors. Hence, Belize has a great opportunity to get a bigger bite of the tourism pie. Mexico’s vast futuristic development initiative ‘Tren Maya’ could be the conduit to Belize tourism industry soaring past the recent successes. The idea of Belize becoming the link to the rest of Central America and beyond was a great part of the conversation between Prime Minister John Briceño and President Obrador. Undoubtedly, the state visit by the PM to Mexico was successful. Briceno understood that Belize cannot “exist in isolation”, no nation can. The reason he called for multilateralism to be repurposed and realigned to the original intent it was designed for - cooperation amongst nations. Prime Minister of Belize Honourable John Briceño has put the Jewel, the Haven of Democracy on firm footing on the world stage. The state visit to Mexico another step-up !!
Delivery of a GeneXpert Machine
Continued from Insert 2 the Gene Xpert machine was officially handed over to the Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat by Mrs. Denise Antonio, Resident Representative, UNDP in Jamaica, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, and Turks & Caicos. Mrs. Antonio assured the Ministry of their continued partnership including support from the Global Fund towards the health sector in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 in Belize. “I extend a special thanks to The Global Fund who for over 10 years has entrusted UNDP as Principal Recipient of their grants in Belize and has invested over $16m to date. Without them most of this would not be possible.” Minister Chebat expressed appreciation on behalf of the Ministry of Health & Wellness for the donation and partnership. “The fight to defeat COVID-19 will continue to require the
10 OCT
THE BELIZE TIMES
collaboration of all our national, regional, and international partners. This occasion today is a manifestation of UNDP’s commitment in helping to create a healthier Belize.” The donation today represents a total of three Gene Xpert machines of which two are already in use at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and also at Western Regional Hospital. Today’s donation came along with the diagnostic reagents and associated equipment valued at over $20,000. This equipment will support our efforts to further decentralize our analytical capacity to test for SARS-CoV-2, Tuberculosis, Drug Resistant Tuberculosis and Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, as well as to carry out viral load studies in HIV positive persons. The Global Fund project is implemented by UNDP on behalf of the National AIDS Commission who serves as the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the grant.
2021
NOTICE Don Diego Inc. #164,439 (“the Company”)
Notice is hereby given that the Company named Don Diego Inc. has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 30th September, 2021. CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent
NOTICE Hyde Park Ventures Corp. #165,752 (“the Company”)
Notice is hereby given that the Company named Hyde Park Ventures Corp. has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 30th September, 2021. CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent
NOTICE Sibling Corp. #165,153 (“the Company”)
Notice is hereby given that the Company named Sibling Corp. has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 1st October, 2021. CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent
NOTICE Corporate Protectors Limited #87,254 (“the Company”)
Pursuant to Section 102(4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, notice is hereby given that Corporate Protectors Limited: a) is in dissolution b) commenced dissolution on the 6th day of October, 2021; and c) CILTRUST INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company CILTrust International Limited
Registered Agent
10 OCT
2021
OUT
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Dear Editor, Allow me to talk once more on the UDG. The dying UDP(now UDG) and its trustees masked as journalists again hit the ground tumbling when they decided to get some political mileage from the UDP-borne crime situation in Belize. In my little grand opinion, when you negotiate(or fake) with the gangs you are using as a blue chip law-abiding people’s determination to follow the law. Nope...you do not have my permission to use my home grown habit of following the law. We have anti-gang laws. If you say you know who the gang members are then they should be in prison as fast as you can determine that they are gang members and a detriment to society. Anyway that it my own take. So when I see Jules and the exSuper dude come out of left field to broker a gang truce, I was taken aback. What the hell are you doing? You actually need to cut in and manufacture news. C’mon. News is like reporting on why a Victoria Secret underwear should be bought with BTL money. Was it given back? That yes, the people want to know. As to the ex-politician Will... something, get a job. Leave the official work to the police. How would brokering a fake truce revive a dead and buried political career? Voters will dislike you even more for condoning gangs. Voters dislike that you know who the gang members are and you are not taking or reporting them to the police. The money ‘earned’ moving by from constituency to constituency is it done? You should have saved more as you knew there was no win in your candidacy. So when the sun comes up... the public lawsuit should be on you Philloughby for knowing who the gang members are and attempting to fake news them along with embellisher extraordinaire who is desperate now and has to make his own news. Gone is the UDP and all their corruption. What remains is an old tattered relic of corruption and their remnants who led the country to economic ruin. History will recall that from sunup to evening 7pm you all tried your incompetent all to re-elect the UDP political gang of gangs. FAILED rhetoric… The public only watches him now to laugh and mourn…the comic shows that have never been taken seriously. It is over UDP...you are just a UDG now. Belizean Voter
THE BELIZE TIMES
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10 OCT
THE BELIZE TIMES
BELIZEANS IN THE DIASPORA INVITED TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE
2021
PRESS RELEASE CALL FOR PROPOSALS – MATCHING GRANT FUND
by Hon. Gilroy Usher, Excerpts of remarks at Town Hall Meeting in New York A warm welcome everyone As the Area Representative for the Port Loyola Division and Minister of State for Public Utilities, Logistics, and Energy, I am thankful and humbled by the opportunity to be a member of the team representing the Government of Belize at this very important town hall meeting in Queens New York. Let me paraphrase George Washington, “Where are our men of abilities? We want them to come forth to help build their country.” Your presence at this town hall meeting from near and far underscores your deep love and interest in what is happening back home. My Belizean brothers and sisters, for your hard work even when you are abroad and your generosity and all sorts of love you send home you deserve a round of applause. Both Belize and the United States have hardworking, beautiful, and friendly people, and both countries have a rich history in their quest for their own Independence from England. One of the main purposes of this town hall meeting is therefore to pinpoint ways in which Belizeans in the United States can work with the government of Belize and their fellow Belizeans at home to ensure more development that results in a better life for all Belizeans. Today tourism is one of the largest contributors to Belize’s G.D.P. Thousands of Belizeans are able to care for their families as a result of direct employment in the industry and hundreds more of our people are able to care for their loved ones through indirect employment from the tourism sector. With our cayes, Maya ruins, historical sites in the cities and town, the Belize Zoo, hotels, casinos, tourism villages, wonderful music, delicious food, and other attractions, all visitors to our beautiful country are guaranteed an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Visitors can reach Belize easily on cruise ships, over land, or by numerous airlines. We have some of the best tour guides. Money transfers are easily and safely accessible. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Our government therefore encourages Belizeans in the
diaspora to have an enjoyable vacation at home. We also ask Belizeans in the diaspora to be ambassadors for tourism at home by encouraging their family members, friends, coworkers, and others to vacation in our beautiful Belize. To continue addressing the needs of its 400,000 plus population, Belize also needs investment. We therefore invite more Belizeans in the diaspora to retire at home. Build your dream homes in Belize; spend your golden years at home in Belize by the Caribbean Sea, because in doing so, you contribute to the economic development of the country. Belize also needs more factories to provide jobs for its people. We therefore encourage you to use the knowledge and experience, and to put your money to work at home. Belizeans at home are ready to work in small or large business that produce clothing, plastic products, toys, souvenirs, cooking oil, and bicycles among other things. We assure you that with the use of modern technology, it’s now safe to invest at home even if you are abroad. Belizeans in the diaspora invest at home to help build a better nation. Investment anywhere usually requires construction. We are therefore happy to inform Belizeans gathered here today that first class engineering /construction companies in the country include M & M Engineering, Mejia United, and Medina’s Construction. For development in a country to benefit an entire population good governance is a necessity. One of the best ways to help ensure good governance at home is for Belizeans in the diaspora to participate in the democratic process in any way possible. We therefore encourage Belizeans in the diaspora with a wide range of skills to return home and take up the challenge to help lead Belize to a better future. In concluding, I take great joy in saying that the nation of Belize looks, forward to seeing more Belizeans in the diaspora contributing to its growth by returning home to the construction site and becoming involved in its development through participation in tourism, investment, construction, and the democratic process among other things.
The Government of Belize (GOB) has entered into an agreement, dated November 30, 2018, with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for a loan and with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), for a loan and grant towards the implementation of the Resilient Rural Belize Programme (hereinafter, “the RRB”), the objectives of which are to build overall resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change by adopting climate resilient practices, increase and diversify production; and facilitate their access to commercial market chains for the off-take of their surplus production. The programme through a co-financing facility and a competitive fund called the Matching Grant Fund (MFG), will be providing grants to registered and non-registered producer organizations to improve climate‐resilient agricultural production, increase productivity and improve quality; to allow for the storage of products; to improve production planning to access markets and receive better prices; to provide opportunities for adding to the value chain; and to increase their incomes through sorting, selection, packaging and labelling or the processing of raw materials. The programme will support investment in the cultivation of the following market-driven priority products; vegetables: cabbage, carrots, hot pepper, onion, sweet pepper and tomato, fruit: pineapple and honey production. The MGF fund will not be financing the producer organizations in the form of cash, but will be in investments through the submission of Business Plan (BP). Maximum Grant: $240,000 for registered groups (more than 17 members) and $60,000 (10 or more members) for non-registered groups (restrictions apply). Application Form is available at the Ministry of Agriculture office in each District or you can email jlisbey.rrb@med.gov. bz to request a form. The submission of application package and other supporting documents should be labelled with the subject line “Proposal Application for Business Plan Development” and can be sent to the address below no later than November 30, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Resilient Rural Belize Programme Attn: José Lisbey Agriculture Marketing Officer National Agricultural Showgrounds Hummingbird Highway Belmopan City Cayo District, Belize Tel. No.: 822-0044/46/48 E-mail: jlisbey.rrb@med.gov.bz
10 OCT
2021
THE BELIZE TIMES
THINK ABOUT IT $25.00 A WEEK - SINGLE MOM HOUSE A single mother is an awesome woman. Where they get the strength from, to pick up the pieces and continue to battle against the odds. Our society is not providing sufficient support to these women. For those who are unable to fight their circumstances, it is their children and later our society which pays the price. A heavy price is manifested most prominently in undisciplined gangs and senseless murders, and that is not the whole story. A study done by a prominent U.S. university concluded that Belize City is too congested with nowhere else to grow. They suggested that greater Belize City should be planned and for the vision to go north to Burrell Boom, through the Boom cut-off to Hattieville and down the Western Highway to old, overcrowded Belize City. There is no land in Belize City. Filling swamps is expensive. When hurricanes and flood with high tide cross into city swamps, our lives are made more miserable. Families need space. They need a yard. They need a house. A house provides shelter from the elements and also provides privacy and a sense of longing. Most houses become homes. Homes are where love should rule. This is where children are nurtured with values. Not living in your own houses is a pressure. For single mothers it is one more pressure to face. Rent is high and always on the increase. What the new government and, specifically, Minister Julius Espat has done is incredible. A single mother house for $25.00 a week. Yes, for $25.00 weekly or $100.00 a month a single mom can have her own home. Later on as the economic conditions improve they can add another room or put on an upstairs. This is a great start. Building houses will also provide much needed jobs. It’s a win, win situation, real ‘todos ganamos’. We need to now ramp up dozens and scores of these and other government houses. Many single women can learn to paint, lay cement blocks and cut steal. Even do a bit of elementary landscaping—three coconut trees in the backyard, a few trees at the front. There is much land available at mile 8 Western Highway to airport. Let’s get it on. A POLICE IS THROWN AWAY Some two years ago, a police was knocked down off his motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. As a result he needed medical attention to save an eye and medical attention to save his crippled foot. He and his wife were not able to raise few thousand dollars and so the officer lost one of his eyes. He remained crippled because of damage to his hip and has been unable to return to his job. The doctor at Loma Luz who can perform the necessary surgery to save his leg and possibly get him to walk without a crutch is scheduled to leave Belize. In desperation, they approached a lawyer to write Social Security Board. Social found a reason not to pay injury benefits or sickness benefits. The police lost use of one eye. He is now more than likely going to lose one of his feet. It is an incredible cruelty fate for a police who was serving his country. He was on his day off. The regular officer was given the time off to attend a funeral in another district. Social Security says the officer had gone to buy food when he was knocked down and so they ain’t paying him. If buying food during working hours totally and completely prevents Social from paying a worker his benefits, even to the extent of abandoning him to lose his eye and lose the use of his foot, something is monstrously wrong. We suggest that the wife rush to the Minister of Health who has an office three buildings from the Court in San Ignacio. He will gladly ask the Minister of Finance to come to the rescue. ……………………….. “I hereby indict the black leadership of the UDP because they have been exposed as bogus and absolutely self-aggrandizing. All the UDP leaders are rich and building new homes while the community disintegrates.” “What is happening to our black youth in Belize, and what they are doing to each other, has not been addressed in any systematic manner. My beef is with the UDP, which has had five terms in office since 1984, and has always tried to give the impression from the original NIP days, that they are more interested in the welfare of black Belizeans, than the PUP was under Mr. Price. I don’t buy that simplistic model. The UDP is for the black middle class, not for the black masses. The above quotation is from last week Amandala newspaper, from the Publisher. The Publisher is Evan X Hyde. The statements are not to be taken lightly. They represent not just a serious indictment of the UDP leadership. The statements also cut to the heart of why the Southside of Belize City remains in such dire straits socially and economically. There is a problem, a crisis, regarding the second largest ethnic group in our country. That problem or those problems bedeviling the creoles is bubbling and it’s starting to boil over. We cannot continue to ignore what is manifesting itself so starkly. Every problem has a solution. To arrive at a solution we must first agree and decide what is the problem or problems. We cannot continue to ignore this issue. CYNTHIA ELLIS Cynthia Ellis was guest on one of the morning shows a few days ago. She was articulate, intelligent and passionate on the issues discussed, one
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of which was the Garinagu Belizeans and their renewed struggle for land and upliftment. For those who do not know, which includes the young generation, Cynthia has been a warrior in the trenches for a better Belize. She is well-read highly educated with loads of experience, including working for regional and United Nations institutions. We did not know she had returned to her beloved Belize and has clearly decided to continue the fight for a better Belize. It is heartening to see and hear such an educated and fearless and proud Garinagu do all she can to make things better. Let there be more activists and let there be more doing for the benefit of our people. DWAYNE GABOUREL The shooting death of 15 year old Dwayne Gabourel outraged the community of Belize City as it did in other parts of our country. Just when we were thinking our people are getting numb from all these killings, Dwayne’s death jerked us back to our better selves. We are tired of these dysfunctional, totally misguided ignoramus who are shooting and killing. Young Dwayne was murdered on Saturday 25 September as he purchased bread from a shop. The police say they have caught the killer. Dwayne’s funeral was held on Saturday 2nd October. It was streamed live on Facebook. Everyone who watched it had tears in their eyes. When the camera zoomed in on the mother with her hand on the coffin at the burial ground, it was the most heart wrenching scene to behold. Her eyes were clear and strong and she stood strong but her heart was bursting with grief. We all felt for her. May her faith in God give her the strength to go on. CHURCHES WILL HALF OPEN One of the things we like about the Prime Minister and his fellow Ministers is that they are not haughty, neither arrogant, neither intransigent. Nor do they behave like they know it all. Or because they have made a decision nothing will make them change their views. We understand the Prime Minister asked for a review of the matter of closing all churches due to the spread of the deadly Delta strain of Covid. The medical and health professionals had advised government to close all churches. This advised was based on the information that many Pentecostal churches were packed with worshippers, most not wearing masks, singing and worshiping for hours. Clearly a risky situation at a time of major Covid spread in the country. The government had previously closed all churches and many establishments as part of their responsibility to do their best to curb the Covid spread. Shucks, everyday many are infected. Everyday people are dying. We must ALL act responsible, and do ALL we can in this fight. Although on Monday 4th October it was stated that churches would remain closed, the Prime Minister requested an update. It was decided that churches would be cautiously opened on a proposition of their size and seating capacity. This is mature and intelligent leadership by the Prime Minister. Please Pentecostals, don’t let us down, we know it’s not all worshippers who are not obeying the protocols. LORD’S BANK The main road into Lord’s Bank Village is now spanking new. Thanks to Minister Julius Espat and the high quality hot-mix tarmac done by Larry Flowers. This road was run-down, broken-up full of pot holes and abandoned for many years, making villagers’ lives miserable every time they walked, rode on it or drove on it. Big, big improvement. VICIOUS, MURDEROUS ATTACK AT SEA Some murderers set out in two boats off the coast by San Pedro. They splashed towards their targets, where three men in open sea in the Cangrejo area came under gun fire. Reports are the assassins succeeded in killing Jerry Espat, while several attempts on the remaining two were not successful. The two attacking boats sped off, but the survivors say they identified their attackers. Police have since arrested and charged a San Pedro fisherman for the murder of Jerry Espat. The story sounds crazy and not like we are in Belize at all. PRO-VAXERS If fake news could be put to good use, here’s an example. The Covid vaccination could be said to improve the virility of men. Men will become like lion in the jungle. King of the bed. Bed-room bully. The lines for the vax would be long. Ed. Note…the author is just dabbling in comedy. This is untrue as he said at the onset. ELSWITH CLAIRE-RIP We mourn the loss of Elswith Claire of New York who has been ailing for some time. The former wife of attorney Norman Neal and mother of attorney Bryan ‘Bull’ Neal passed away this week. Our sincere condolences.
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PlanBelize Ministries Collaborating
This isn’t about working for show or for praise. This is about doing what we were elected to do. Imagine a collaboration between the MIDH, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Rural Transformation - all working together to revive the rice industry in the Toledo District. What an amazing thing! Roads and opportunities being pushed and created for small farmers. This is how it’s supposed to be. Working for the people.
PlanBelize Housing is an Anti-Crime Move October 6, 2021 This past week there were 2 murders alone. After 13 years of corruption our people felt a sense of doom and gloom and crime was the only way out. But, planbelize which is people-centered aims to take into consideration every age, ethnicity and industry to secure a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future for our nation. Giving our people hope and seeing their future from a different angle. So far Planbelize has restored over 25 thousand jobs for Belizeans and it is currently improving lives by way of infrastructure. Building roads and bridges and also issuing land for first time land owners and starter homes. At the heart of our plan is the aspirations of the Belizean people. Many Belizeans aspire to owning their own land and house. Finally, after 13 years and after leaving 50 percent of the population in poverty, Belizeans can finally see a brighter tomorrow as their aspirations becomes a reality. Planbelize promises to build 10,000 low income houses within the next five years. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Development and Housing has been busy at work and so far in the first phase 150 single mothers country-wide with low income or no income will soon move into their own homes. The second phase is expected to roll out early next year and currently applications are being accepted at the MIDH offices located in Belmopan. #planbelize is cleaning house, and is embarking on a new path for a better future filled with vigor, energy, hope and opportunity for the Belizean people. As we all know crime is a long term issue and building homes is chipping away at it. It is too slow but it will have to give as the UDP marred the future of many. Criminal UDPs.///
10 OCT
THE BELIZE TIMES
2021
PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTY San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District
BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo & Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the below described properties. Sale currently running and will expire on Monday 18th October 2021 at 1:30 pm. 1. Strata H15 & H 16 of Parcel No. 4879, 1½ miles west San Pedro Town Center, on the east coast of “Laguna De San Pedro”, Casa Linda Villas, Casa Corbu, Costa Del Sol, Ambergris Caye, Belize District:
REGISTRATION SECTION
BLOCK
PARCELS
San Pedro
7
4879 (H15& H16)
(Being 2 two storey SEA FRONT single unit villa each 1510 sq. ft. + deck 291 sq. ft: Ground floor - living/dining/kitchen + open deck + porch; First floor - 2 bedrooms + 21/2 bathrooms being two units of the Casa Linda Villas situate 1½ miles west San Pedro Town Centre, on the east coast of “Laguna De San Pedro”, Costa Del Sol, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, the freehold property of Messrs. GRL Investment Ltd.) TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO CHRISTIANA R. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 Website: www.belizepropertyauctions.com E-mail: Belizeauctionsales@gmail.com Face Book: Belize Auctions
10 OCT
19
THE BELIZE TIMES
2021
Youth Patriotic Talent Competition 2021
NOTICE UNDER SECTION 4(2) OF THE FISCAL INCENTIVES ACT, CHAPTER 54 OF THE LAWS OF BELIZE, REVISED EDITION 1980-1990-2000-2003-2005-2011 It is hereby notified for general information that the principals of The Ambergris Grand Limited, have submitted an application for an Approved Enterprise Order under the Fiscal Incentives Act, Chapter 54 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 1980-1990-2000-20032005-2011, and the Minister of Investment proposes to make the Order hereinafter set out. Any person who objects to the making of such an Order is hereby invited to give notice in writing of his/her objections and of the grounds on which he/she relies in support thereof to the Executive Director, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service, on or before October 22nd, 2021.
October 6 - The Belize City Council welcomed a cohort of talented youths along with their parents to the City Hall in celebration of our 2021 Youth Patriotic Talent Competition. These gifted young youths received monetary prizes and certificates for ranking in the top three of our Junior and Senior categories. Additionally, participants were also invited to attend today’s ceremony and received consolation prizes consisting of games, school supplies and more for their excellent submissions in this year’s competition. During the ceremony Mayor Bernard Wagner, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize David Kuan-Chou Chien and our Councillor responsible for Youth and Sports, Kaya Cattouse all shared congratulatory remarks to all in attendance for their exceptional work. A warm thank you goes out to all participants for sharing your talents with us and to the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for their role in making today’s ceremony
The proposed Order reads as follows:
FISCAL INCENTIVES BELIZE: STATUTORY INSTRUMENT No. of 2021
ORDER made by the Minister of Investment in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 4 of the Fiscal Incentives Act, Chapter 54 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 1980-1990-2000, and all other powers thereunto him enabling. (Gazetted ... 2021) 1. This Order may be cited as the APPROVED ENTERPRISE (THE AMBERGRIS GRAND LIMITED) ORDER 2021.
possible. During these unprecedented times, the Belize City Council is proud to have offered our youth a platform to not only show their civic pride but to express their creativity in a safe and constructive way! Congratulations to this year’s winners!
NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF DISSOLUTION
Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the following companies (“the Companies”) incorporated under the IBC Act of Belize commenced dissolution as follows: Name of Company
Date of Commencement of Dissolution
Liquidator Name & Address
ORIENT FAME INC.
05th October, 2021
Lee, Yi-Fei of 7F-3, No. 26, Wuling Rd., N. Dist., Hsinchu City, Taiwan, R.O.C..
MASTER CAPITAL INC.
05th October, 2021
Lee, Yi-Fei of 7F-3, No. 26, Wuling Rd., N. Dist., Hsinchu City, Taiwan, R.O.C.
SHIE LUNG TRADING CO., LTD.
05th October, 2021
Wang, Chi-Chen of No. 4, Jinshan, Yuanli Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan, R.O.C..
Any claims against the company should be forwarded to the Liquidator within 30 days from commencement. GenPro Consulting (Belize) Limited Registered Agent
NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the company Bestlink Associates Ltd. (“the Company”) incorporated under the IBC Act of Belize commenced dissolution on the 29th day of September, 2021; and Galatia Pericleous of 32 Kritis, Papachristoforou Building, 4th floor, 3087, Limassol, Cyprus is the Liquidator of the Company, and any claims against the company should be forwarded to the Liquidator within 30 days from commencement. Icaza Belize Trust Corporation Limited Registered Agent
2. It is hereby declared that the principals of The Ambergris Grand Limited, located 13 miles north, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize shall develop a luxurious resort marketed as ‘Margaritaville Beach Resort’ featuring fifty-five (55) units, restaurants, swimming pool and supporting amenities. The Ambergris Grand Limited (hereinafter called ‘the Company’) shall be an approved enterprise under the Fiscal Incentives Act. 3. In addition to the conditions imposed by the Act, the Company shall: (a) not practice whatsoever any discrimination on grounds of ethnic, religious or political identity; (b) observe all safety, social security, health and labour regulations; (c) pay fair wages to the workers and observe fair labour practices; (d) consult with the Belize Labour Exchange before employment of workers of other nationalities; employ only such workers of other nationalities as are in possession of valid work permits; (e) make provision for the training of Belizeans in all aspects of the operation and conduct of the Company including management; submit a plan for approval by the Ministry of Labour for such training in all the required skills; (f) satisfy the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Department of the Environment that all necessary measures are taken to control any pollution to the environment that may result from the operation of the company; (g) satisfy the Ministry responsible for Archaeology that all measures are taken to prevent the destruction of any ancient monument or antiquity located within the Company’s area of operation; (h) maintain separate books of accounts and records in respect of the Company; maintain such books of accounts and records in a manner which conforms with generally accepted accounting principles in Belize and appropriate to the business in which the Company operates; (i) conduct the business in a manner acceptable to the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service; (j) continuously employ at least fifty-five (55) persons by September 7th, 2026; 4. Upon obtaining the written approval of the Executive Director, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service, the Company shall be permitted to import such quantity of such items free of customs duty and revenue replacement duty as shall have been proved unavailable from suitable local products or raw materials, and necessary for the establishment/expansion and operation of the Company, and for the sole use thereof, but limited to: • Building Materials & Supplies • Machinery & Equipment • Fixtures & Fittings • Office Equipment & Supplies • Utility and Transport Vehicle • Marine Craft 5. The date of production shall be September 8th, 2021. 6. The date of commencement and the date of termination of the duty exemption period shall be September 8th, 2021 and September 7th, 2026 respectively. 7.
The Company shall enjoy no tax holidays.
8.
This Approved Enterprise Order may be revoked if any condition to which it is subject to is broken by the Company.
MADE by the Minister responsible for Investment this
day of October, 2021.
______________________________ Hon. John Briceno Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment
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2021 DT-�g�� �πΩZ.pdf 1 2021/8/26 下午4:30
THE BELIZE TIMES
10 OCT
2021
10 OCT
2021
Children have the right to grow old To feel safe in the neighborhoods that they call home But too many times this is not the case As the war on the streets continues to decide a child’s fate. But being a victim of violence shouldn’t be on a child’s mind, Because it shows how much we have become desensitized To the issues that plague our communities As we have somehow accepted this as a part of our reality. We have forgotten what it was like to live without so much crime With the violence drawing closer and closer to all of us each time But one child lost, is one too many As our future is slowly being erased with every stray bullet or mistaken identity. And the stars and heights that they would’ve reached Is now a permanent reminder of the loss we feel so deep. As we are only left to imagine who or what they would’ve been Because their lives were cut short of fulfilling these promises. And so, we can never forget their names, As we must honor Dwayne, Laddie and so many others by making a change. By no longer accepting violence as a part of our lives Because Belize “no the get bad”, it has been this way for a while. But why have we allowed this to be, A continuous narrative for our little Belize That those who choose a path of destruction, Can become the destruction in some else’s path? Still, I hope and pray for the day, When the innocents are no longer a casualty of someone else’s hate The day when gangs become a distant thought So that children can grow up as it once was. But as bullets continue to replace handshakes And cries ring out more than laughter Our children are left to shelter from the gun That leaves so many with no place to run. No longer safe to be out at night From the threat to our lives from someone else’s fight As a child’s innocent fear of the boogeyman Has turned into a fear of the badman. For the real monsters don’t live under a bed
21
THE BELIZE TIMES
NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF DISSOLUTION
Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the following companies (“the Companies”) incorporated under the IBC Act of Belize commenced dissolution as follows:
But walk among us and some we even call friends. So, it’s our collective duty to hold them accountable As there are those of us that know exactly who is responsible. But how many more mothers will be left to cry, Before the convictions reach an all-time high? And when will the punishment match the crime? So that our future will be worth more than a fine. For we owe it to our youths to protect them at all costs, Because no other mother should have to suffer such a great loss. The loss of a future that was yet to come, Which only leaves us questioning, who would they have become?
Name of Company
Date of Commencement of Dissolution
Liquidator Name & Address
GLENDALOUGH ASSOCIATED S.A.
27th September, 2021
Ms. Lizeika Fernandez de Tomlinson, domiciled at Credicorp Bank Building, 26th floor, Nicanor A. de Obarrio avenue, 50th street, Panama City, Republic of Panama
SHALOM DEVELOPMENT INC.
29th September, 2021
Ms. Sandra Rocio Rodriguez Lesmes, domiciled at Calle 107 #47 01, Bogota D.C., Colombia
Any claims against the company should be forwarded to the Liquidator within 30 days from commencement. GCC Corporate Consultants Limited Registered Agent
NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF DISSOLUTION
Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the following companies (“the Companies”) incorporated under the IBC Act of Belize commenced dissolution as follows: Name of Company
Date of Commencement of Dissolution
Liquidator Name & Address
NORWICH DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
24th September, 2021
Chan Chun Hung of Room 2805, 28/F., Asia Trade Centre, 79 Lei Muk Road, Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong
BELIZE TRUST COMPANY LIMITED
27th September, 2021
Tiffany McFoy of 21 Regent Street, Belize City, Belize
Any claims against the company should be forwarded to the Liquidator within 30 days from commencement. Belize Corporate Services Limited Registered Agent
22
10 OCT
THE BELIZE TIMES
Hospital system says it will deny transplants to the unvaccinated in ‘almost all situations’ By Hannah Knowles, washingtonpost A Colorado-based health system says it is denying organ transplants to patients not vaccinated against the coronavirus in “almost all situations,” citing studies that show these patients are much more likely to die if they get covid-19. The policy illustrates the growing costs of being unvaccinated and wades into deeply controversial territory — the use of immunization status to decide who gets limited medical care. The mere idea of prioritizing the vaccinated for rationed health resources has drawn intense backlash, as overwhelmingly unvaccinated covid-19 patients push some hospitals to adopt “crisis standards of care,” in which health systems can prioritize patients for scarce resources based largely on their likelihood of survival. UCHealth’s rules for transplants entered the spotlight Tuesday when Colorado state Rep. Tim Geitner (R) said it denied a kidney transplant to a Colorado Springs woman because she was not vaccinated against the coronavirus. Calling the decision “disgusting” and discriminatory, Geitner shared a letter that he said the patient received last week from UCHealth’s transplant center at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus in the city of Aurora. The letter said the woman would be “inactivated” on a kidney transplant waiting list and had 30 days to start coronavirus vaccination. If she refused to be vaccinated, it said, she would be removed. UCHealth declined to discuss particular patients because of federal privacy laws, and The Washington Post could not independently verify the woman’s story. But the health system confirmed Tuesday that nearly all of its transplant recipients and organ donors must get vaccinated against the coronavirus, in addition to other vaccinations and
2021
GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE MINISTRY OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND INVESTMENT INVITATION TO QUOTE No CABEI-DI-22/2021 The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment funded by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) has allocated funds towards the cost of supply and delivery of vehicles. The Ministry now extends an invitation to Suppliers to tender for the below listed items: GOODS 12 seater Van
QUANTITY 1
Interested bidders may submit a complete set of bidding documents inclusive of Specifications through written request to the below physical address or via electronic mail (email) to finance.officer@med.gov.bz . health requirements. A spokesman, Dan Weaver, said that other transplant centers in the United States have similar policies or are transitioning to them. Conditions on organ transplants are not new. Weaver noted that transplant centers around the country may require patients to get other vaccinations, stop smoking, avoid alcohol or demonstrate that they will take crucial medications in an effort to ensure that people do well post-surgery and do not “reject” organs for which there is fierce competition. More than 100,000 people are on the transplant waiting list, and only a fraction of those seeking a kidney got one in 2020, according to the federal government. An estimated 17 people die every day waiting for an organ. Multiples studies show that covid-19 is especially deadly for recipients of kidney transplants. Weaver said the mortality rate observed for transplant patients who develop covid-19 ranges from about 20 percent to more than 30 percent — far higher than the 1.6 percent fatality rate observed generally in the United States. (For the complete story go to the washingtonpost.com or msn.com) Editor’s Note: Such a mandate is not law in Belize. We all nevertheless should heed this as an example of why it is important for everyone to get vaccinated. It is more than spreading the disease, it has to do with keeping our population alive as all Belizeans are needed in the progress that our nation is undertaking.
NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the below company has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the date indicated: CHARGEPAL LIMITED – 29th September, 2021 GCC Corporate Consultants Group Limited Registered Agent
Deadline for submission of sealed bids is Friday October 8th, 2021, at 12:00 noon, via direct mail or hand delivered to the address indicated below. Note that late submissions will be rejected. Chief Executive Officer Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Sir Edney Cain Building Ground Floor, Right Wing Belmopan City, Belize C.A. Ref: INVITATION TO QUOTE (No CABEI-DI-22/2021)
BY ORDER OF CHARGEE 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 Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between ALRICK ALBERT ESCOBAR and LIZABETH ELIZABETH WALLACE ESCOBAR (Jointly) 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 comprising 0.25 Acres being Parcel 2128, Block 4 in the Carmelita Registration Section situate on the Southern side of the Old Northern Highway about 1 mile east of the junction with the Philip Goldson Highway, Orange Walk District TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of ALRICK ALBERT ESCOBAR and LIZABETH ELIZABETH WALLACE ESCOBAR (Jointly). DATED this 23rd day of September 2021 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 E-mail: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org
10 OCT
2021
THE BELIZE TIMES
23
GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK STRENGTHENING OF TAX ADMINISTRATION (BL-L1031) PROCUREMENT OFFICER DUTY STATION: Belize City, Belize PROJECT NUMBER: BL-L1031 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Finance (MOF) is embarking towards the modernisation of the tax administration by merging the existing Income Tax Department (ITD) and the Department of General Sales Tax (DGST) into a single function-based tax administration, and procuring and implementing a new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS). 1.2 In order to facilitate the process, the Tax Modernization Program was initiated and comprises of five main projects/components including: (a) Communication and Change Management; (b) Organization/Human Resources (HR)/Infrastructure; (c) Business Processes Re-engineering; (d) Legislative Framework; and (e) Information Technology. These will be implemented in phases, with the existing core areas of the ITD and DGST operating as the new, consolidated functional organization, the Belize Tax Service (BTS). 1.3 To support this endeavour, the GoB has requested the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund a five-year project “Strengthening of Tax Administration” (BLL1031). The main objective of the Project is to strengthen Belize’s tax administration aimed at increasing tax revenue collection, through the following specific objectives: (a) increasing the effectiveness of the Government to collect taxes, through improvement in the tax administration governance and; (b) increasing tax administration efficiency, through improvement in the operational processes and modernization of the technological infrastructure. 1.4 A Program Management Office (PMO) supports the implementation of the Program along with the consolidation of the BTS. The MoF is the Executing Agency (EA) of BL-L1031. For this purpose, a Project Executing Unit (PEU) will be established in the PMO with concrete technical, administrative, financial, control and planning, monitoring and evaluation responsibilities for the IDB-funded initiative. 1.5 In this regard, a vacancy exists for the Procurement Officer for the PEU under a contractual arrangement with the MoF, and as part of the BL-L1031 initiative. 2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK 2.1 The objective of the position is to lead the execution of the procurement activities of the PEU in accordance with the provisions of the Project and the Bank’s procurement rules and procedures and the MoF procurement guidelines, when applicable. In particular, the Procurement Officer is responsible for the overall and day to day activities for the procurement of goods, services and works of the Project subject to IDB policies and requirements and in accordance with the Project Operational Manual (POM). 3. RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES 3.1 The main responsibilities of the Procurement Officer include, among others: (a) Review all documentation relating to the Project; and, be informed on the Program Operation Manual (POM), the Loan Contract, the Procurement Plan (PP), the Annual Operational Plan (AOP), the Project Execution Plan (PEP), and the initial Disbursement Projection Table. (b) Prepare and update the Annual Procurement Plans. (c) Participate in the preparation of the AOP and prepare and update the PEP in MS Project. (d) Prepare necessary bidding documents, prepare the Terms of References (ToRs) and review specifications prepared by Technical Staff, organize and execute all bid openings and evaluation processes, prepare evaluation reports and corresponding draft contracts. (e) In coordination with the Project Coordinator and Financial Officer, prepare the ToRs and bidding documents for the annual audits. (f) Ensure contracting of consultants, suppliers and contractors is in accordance with IDB procurement policies and GoB policies, laws and regulations. (g) Ensure that prospective contractors, suppliers and consultants are duly constituted and are ongoing concerns. (h) Issue contracts for signature by relevant parties. (i) Manage the validity of contracts during their execution. (j) Assist the Project Coordinator in the submission of monthly activities reports and prepare the quarterly procurement reports following a pre-approved Bank format. (k) Maintain an up-to-date registry of consultants hired and goods and services purchased under the Project. (l) Monitor executed contracts through contract completion, liaising with technical personnel of the MoF, PMO and PEU and the Financial Specialist of the PEU to ensure payments/ disbursements are made according to contract. (m) Maintain appropriate files of procurement functions and provide information as needed by the Executing Agency and the Bank. (n) Participate in the update of the POM taking responsibility for the procurement section and ensuring its alignment with the procurement guidelines of the Bank. (o) Execute other tasks as required to enable transparent, efficient and timely implementation of procurement activities and program deliverables. (p) Liaise with GoB officials (MoF, PMO, PEU and other) on procurement matters aimed at ensuring and effective discharge of the Project’s procurement/contracting activities. (q) Publish procurement notices in the newspaper, IDB website, UNDB platform and the National Procurement Portal. (r) Publish the procurement plan in the IDB website, MOF website and the National Procurement Portal. (s) Prepare requisitions on a timely basis. (t) Provide the necessary training to Government officials. 4. REPORTS/DELIVERABLES 4.1 The Procurement Officer will be responsible for preparing/updating the following reports which are considered recurrent deliverables or responsibilities: (a) Annual PPs. (b) Quarterly procurement reports.
(c) Updates to POM and PEP. (d) Procurement documents (bids, ToRs, requests for proposals, invitations, etc.) (e) Minutes of procurement meetings. (f) Other. 5. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE a. Education: • A Bachelor of Science Degree in Procurement, Management, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Auditing, Law, Public Administration or other related field. • A specialized certification in procurement and supply chain management or contract management is considered a plus. b. General Experience: • Three (3) years minimum working since obtaining academic degree c. Specific Experience: • At least three (3) years of relevant experience in procurement administration in the private or public sector, as part of overall project management. • One (1) year experience working with international or national development agencies • One (1) year experience working in Microsoft Project 5.1 Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: (a) Excellent computer skills using Microsoft Office, (b) Knowledge of procurement policies and procedures of the IDB or similar organizations would be considered an asset. (c) Task orientated and able to prioritize projects, multitask and meet tight deadlines; (d) Fluent in written and spoken English with the ability to express data in a concise and clear manner; (e) Team player and possess strong self-motivation and initiative; (f) Sound decision making skills and objectivity with the proven ability to act with confidentiality and discretion; (g) Professional, honest and display strong business ethics and integrity; and (h) Experience with the Government of Belize Procurement /administrative platforms will be of significant benefit. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 6.1 The Procurement Officer reports to the Project Coordinator of the PEU. He/she shall work in close coordination with the staff of the MOF and especially the members of the PMO, the BTSD. 7. COMPENSATION 7.1 The Procurement Officer will be paid a monthly salary to be established during the contracting process. 7.2 Given the staff-like tasks and responsibilities of the PEU personnel, reports (deliverables) do not apply. Instead, performance assessment reports from the supervisor. 8. APPLICATIONS 8.1 CRITERIA for SELECTION Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2350-15 section 5 – individual consultants and is open to all eligible candidates as defined in the IDB policies. The individual consultant will be selected based on their experience and competence relevant to the assignment and most appropriate qualifications and references in accordance with the Comparison of Qualifications method set out in the Consultant Policies. 8.2 APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Expression of Interest package should contain: (i) Cover letter briefly explaining interest, experience, and competence of the consultant (ii) Comprehensive resume (iii) Copy of degrees/certificates (iv) List of at least two references (v) Proof of nationality: copy of documentation of nationality Qualified Consultant should submit their application via e-mail to michelle.longsworth@ bts.gov.bz marked STAP- Procurement Officer in the subject header, or submit hardcopy on or before Friday, October 15, 2021 by 3:00 p.m. to the following address: Director General Belize Tax Service Department Strengthening of Tax Administration Project Charles Bartlett Hyde Building Mahogany Street, Belize City Tel: 501-222-5114 For clarifications kindly contact: Procurement Specialist Project Executing Unit Strengthening of Tax Administration Project Charles Bartlett Hyde Building Mahogany Street, Belize City Tel: 501-222-5114/E-mail: stephanie.pouchie@mof.gov.bz
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THE BELIZE TIMES
10 OCT
2021
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