2024-06-21 - Channel 5 Belize

DOE Opens Office in San Pedro

The Department of Environment (DOE) today officially opened its office in San Pedro Town.

The office opens avenues for development and change on Ambergris Caye, as the D.O.E. is responsible for managing natural resources, preserving and protecting the environment, and controlling pollution.

The office houses three departments: NEMO, DOE, and the Forest Department.

Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change Orlando Habet told News Five, “I think it is very important because it lends itself to a lot of collaboration and partnership.”
“It also reduces costs in terms of transportation. It reduces time because when you get a call to do some inspection or some type of compliance for the forest or the Department of Environment then you have to send people from Belmopan to here. It costs you in hotel and food and everything else. So I think that really helps us”, added Minister Habet.

During the opening, Minister of the Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management Andre Perez stated, “We come together to celebrate a very historic occasion…We are ensuring that the people of San Pedro are served well. Not only San Pedro, of course, but Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, and other islands, including Turneffe.”

Coastal Road Impassable

The Coastal Plains Highway is currently impassable, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) informed in a press release earlier this morning.

It said the highway is “impassable for small vehicles as a result of heavy rainfall and associated flooding over the past 24 hours.”

The Manatee Bridge, Corn House Creek Bridge approaches, and two of the four concrete floodways are submerged under approximately 24 to 30 inches of water. However, the water levels are receding quickly. The MIDH has deployed its maintenance team to monitor the situation and undertake remedial work in these critical areas.

Further updates will be provided throughout the day. Motorists are advised to use the Hummingbird Highway for southbound travel and to drive cautiously, adhering to posted speed limits.

BDF Provides Update on Pay Scale

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) has issued an update to clarify the situation regarding the salary adjustments for its soldiers.

It said that a nationwide education campaign has been launched to inform all personnel about the discrepancies in the pay scale.

According to the press release, in 2019, an error in the salary adjustment for enlisted soldiers was identified. “To address this, the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security engaged with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment and agreed that the Job Classification and Compensation Unit from the Ministry of Public Services, Constitutional and Political Reform, and Religious Affairs would conduct a thorough reassessment.”

The BDF says this reassessment will take into account rank, years of service, and job specifications to ensure a fair and accurate pay scale. The reassessment will be conducted under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

Once the reassessment is complete, the Ministry of Finance will review the pay scales and recommend the next steps. “No soldier’s salary will be adjusted until this exercise is completed. After the review, all salaries will be placed on the new pay scale based on the revised findings.”

The Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, alongside the Ministry of Public Services, is working to establish new allowances for BDF soldiers and officers through the Joint Staff Relations Council. These allowances aim to increase overall monetary compensation and include jungle, maritime, and specialist allowances.

Prime Minister Attends Belize Diaspora Summit

The Office of the Prime Minister informs that the Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño departed the country on 20th June 2024, to attend the “Belize Diaspora Summit” held in Los Angeles, California, USA.

The Prime Minister returns to Belize on Monday, 24th June 2024. During his absence, Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, will hold over as Prime Minister.

(Press Release)