Meet the Candidates in Cayo Northeast

Now, let’s head over to Cayo Northeast, where there are only two candidates on the ballot: P.U.P. incumbent Orlando “Landy” Habet and U.D.P. candidate Alberto Fernandez. Habet is aiming for a third term, while Fernandez hopes to follow in the successful footsteps of his parents. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details in this episode of Meet the Candidates.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Corozal Northeast is the smallest constituency in the Cayo district, with six thousand, five hundred and seventy-eight registered voters. In 2020, P.U.P. incumbent Orlando “Landy” Habet won against John August Junior and Nefretery Nancy Marin, securing his second term. Now, Habet is aiming for a third term.

 

Orlando “Landy” Habet, P.U.P. Candidate, Cayo Northeast

“It was a great honor. I have to be thankful and grateful to the executive committee, my wife and family who  were there for me, but certainly my office staff and the constituency voters from Cayo Northeast, from polling area seventy-two to Santa Familia, Billy White, the three Duck Runs, Spanish Lookout and Los Tambos. I think that going forward I can only look forward for their support because they know I have been there for them. They put me there to do a job and I am grateful for that opportunity.”

 

Habet’s only challenger in Cayo Northeast is UDP candidate Alberto Fernandez. He’s the son of Bernadette Fernandez, a seven-term UDP councilor, and Salvador Fernandez, who won four terms in Cayo North under the UDP.

 

Alberto Fernandez, U.D.P. Candidate, Cayo Northeast

“Service, service, service. I cam from a family that has delivered service all their lives. First with my uncle Jospeh Andrews and then my father Salvador Fernandez who is a four-term minister and my mother who is a seven-term councilor in Santa Elena and San Ignacio. So, just service, service people you know.”

 

But can his strong political lineage carry him across the finish line to victory on March twelfth?  Fernandez has been on the ground campaigning in the constituency, hoping to swing voters in his favor.

 

Alberto Fernandez

“Cayo Northeast, all I have been hearing is attention. The current area rep has given Cayo Northeast no attention. Ten years in government and still no attention, development in the area, cost of living and the list goes on and on, just attention Cayo Northeast deserves.”

 

Well, Habet contends that he has been giving his constituents the attention they deserve.

 

Orlando “Landy” Habet

“I think the improvement in the livelihood of the people, certainly farm roads, village streets, now we are getting the road paved in the next month or so. But water system, basic necessities in Santa Familia, Billy White, Los Tambos, a potable water system they didn’t have for many years. We now have refurbished schools, a preschool in Billy White we didn’t have before. We have hurricane shelters in Santa Familia, Billy White, Duck Run Three, Los Tambos and  one is already being completed in Duck Run one a new Poly Clinic for the entire area which will be able to host the medical facilities for NHI.”

Looking ahead, Habet says that if he’s reelected, he’ll focus on paving more streets, improving sports facilities, and creating tech-based job opportunities for young people.

 

Orlando “Landy” Habet

“I think we still have to do more in those areas. There are many streets that needs to be repaired, schools that needs to be refurbished. We are completing the one in Ezperanza that were badly needed, sporting facility we did some improvements, lighting and bleachers, but we can do more because we need to address the needs, not only of the wider population but so very important that the young people, because they are the new entrepreneurs with all the skills and technology, artificial intelligence, coding everything else. And they can form and create their own jobs.”

 

Despite all that Habet has listed as his accomplishments, Fernandez believes that more infrastructure works could have been done in the constituency.

 

Alberto Fernandez

“Infrastructure in Cayo Northeast. The last attention when it comes to infrastructure is under a U.D.P. administration. The Falcon Field, the Welcome Center, the Farmers Market. All of that was under a U.D.P. administration. With this current government, Cayo North East has gotten no type of infrastructure.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What is the energy like right now with you and your Cayo North East team and how confident are you going into March twelfth?”

 

Alberto Fernandez

“Motivated, motivated, ecstatic. With my father and my mother on my side, motivated me more and more to just go out everyday and meet with my people.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez