PHILIPSBURG:---  A follow-up community information session on the implementation of Sint Maarten’s new mental health care center was held on Tuesday, November 25, at the White & Yellow Cross Foundation in St. John’s. The evening focused on responding to earlier community feedback, sharing updated drawings and information about what is to be expected during construction. A facilitated question-and-answer session followed this.
The event was hosted by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), and the Mental Health Foundation (MHF). Mental Health Foundation staff, board members, and other technical partners contributed to the discussions.
The Honorable Minister of VSA, Richinel Brug, gave opening remarks, thanking the public for attending and encouraging attendees to share their opinions during the session. He emphasized that consistent communication will continue throughout the construction phase to ensure that any disruptions related to signage, working hours, and traffic are managed responsibly. The Minister also called on the community to stay engaged with VSA and the NRPB so that any overlooked concerns can be addressed early. He noted that Sint Maarten is currently ahead of its Kingdom partners in both mental health service delivery and legislation.
Hendrikus van Gaalen, Director of the Mental Health Foundation, also shared his remarks. “It’s encouraging to see the level of engagement and interest from the public. We’re committed to ensuring the new mental health care facility supports both the people who seek help and the professionals who provide it.”
During the information session, attendees viewed a presentation of the updated architectural drawings, which incorporated suggestions from the first community session. These include hurricane shutters, more trees, and adjustments to address noise and safety concerns. The procurement process and construction timeline were also discussed, along with key points from the project’s Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), which outlines how construction schedules will be organized to mitigate disruption to the community.
In the question and answer session, the team addressed community concerns around parking availability, construction noise, storage of materials, working hours, traffic flow near the school, and nearby historic walls. Representatives from the project team, including the design engineer and MHF board members responded, explaining how these issues are being considered in the project’s planning and implementation.
The new mental health care center will be in St. John’s at the corner of L.B. Scott Road and the road to St. John’s. The center is a component of the Improving Mental Health Services Project, which is being implemented by the NRPB in collaboration with the Ministry of VSA. The project is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, financed by the Government of the Netherlands, and managed by the World Bank.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) Caribbean Summit 2025 begins today, Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at the Simpson Bay Resort, ahead of the official opening ceremony and discussions scheduled for tomorrow. The four-day summit, running from 26–29 November, brings together land administration leaders, technical experts, and strategic partners from across the Dutch Caribbean.

This year’s summit welcomes approximately 65 attendees, representing government agencies, technical institutions, regional partners, and private-sector innovators working to advance land management and geospatial information systems.

Hosted by Kadaster St. Maarten in collaboration with DataAxis, the event focuses on strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating the digital transformation of land governance. Participants will engage in discussions, case-based learning, and knowledge-sharing on innovation, data accessibility, sustainable spatial development, and future-ready cadastral practices.

The formal programme begins on November 27 with an opening session with remarks by Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs, and VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs, together with representatives from DataAxis and the Digital Leadership Transformation Project. The opening is followed by a keynote presentation from Ruben Roes of Kadaster Nederland, who will outline the legal groundwork for GKI implementation in regional land management.

Throughout the day, attendees will participate in a series of plenary discussions exploring the digital foundations needed for modern land administration, including national roadmaps, interoperable systems, and institutional readiness. Speakers from across the region, including representatives of DataAxis, Kadaster St. Maarten, the Kadasters of the BES islands, and DLV Aruba, will address current challenges and opportunities in digital transformation. Afternoon sessions will examine cybersecurity, governance frameworks, and the legal and institutional requirements essential for creating resilient, future-ready cadastral systems.

On November 28, the summit continues with the official MoU signing and launch of the Caribbean Cadasters Association, a vehicle for cooperation among cadastral authorities. The day further includes bilateral technical meetings between participating countries and partners, providing a dedicated platform for collaboration on shared projects, digital alignment, and institutional strengthening.

The summit concludes with a Closing Keynote Address delivered by Rodney Taylor, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). Taylor, a Barbadian national with more than 30 years of public-sector leadership in digital transformation, previously served as Chief Digital Technology Officer in Barbados’ Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science, and Technology, where he guided national efforts to modernise public services through strategic innovation and SMART technology. He also held senior roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, overseeing digital operations across local and overseas missions. As CTU Secretary-General, Taylor plays a central role in advancing regional ICT policy, strengthening intergovernmental collaboration, and supporting the implementation of national digital transformation strategies.

Kadaster St. Maarten Director Benjamin Ortega highlighted the strategic importance of regional collaboration, stating: “Digital transformation in land governance cannot happen in isolation. As Kadaster advances toward smarter systems, modern tools, and higher service standards, regional collaboration remains a critical foundation. This summit allows us to learn from each other, align our approaches, and invest in the skills and partnerships that will define the future of land administration in the Caribbean.”

DataAxis CEO Guershon Nahr noted of the summit, “The GKI Caribbean Summit serves as an essential platform for bringing together technical leaders, policymakers, and innovators who play a critical role in modernizing land administration across the region. By facilitating dialogue and sharing global best practices, we aim to support partners in adopting efficient, data-driven systems that strengthen institutional capacity and improve public services. We are pleased to collaborate with Kadaster St. Maarten in advancing this important regional agenda.”

The GKI Caribbean Summit 2025 represents a significant step toward building stronger, more integrated approaches to spatial planning, digital infrastructure, and public service delivery across the Dutch Caribbean.

Willemstad:---  Green Phenix (Curaçao) and Perpetual Plastics (under the EPIC Foundation - Sint Maarten) strengthened their technical and social capacity last week during an intensive week-long knowledge exchange programme. The training was organised with support from TUI and Stichting DOEN and facilitated by Scottish designer Rory Dickens, based in the United Kingdom and a pioneer within the global Precious Plastic movement, which is the basis of both recycling initiatives.

Teams from both islands worked on practical techniques for small-scale recycling, including material identification, process optimisation, consistent production with injection machines, instructions on extruder usage, mould design, and locally addressing technical challenges. A coastal clean up was also executed to portray the importance and need for such actions and recycling initiatives. During the sessions, concrete follow-up actions were agreed upon, to continuously be able to support each other and to make a bigger regional impact.
The results were immediately visible: higher product quality and more efficient workflows within the circular workspaces.

According to Dickens, small, locally maintainable systems are essential for islands: “They are affordable, replicable, and strengthen local self-reliance.” In addition to technical skills, the programme emphasised social impact. The circular workspaces provide new opportunities for participants to develop skills, gain work experience, and contribute to a resilient regional economy.

The Green Phenix and the Perpetual Plastics teams highlight that collaboration is key: circular solutions scale faster when islands combine their knowledge, experience, and capacity.

~A Partnership for the Community: The NV GEBE & Social Services Pilot Program~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Many households face the challenge of managing monthly expenses, and utility bills can be a significant part of that financial pressure. To address this, NV GEBE and the Government of Sint Maarten's Division of Labor Affairs & Social Services have launched a joint pilot program. This one-year initiative is designed to provide direct financial relief to vulnerable members of the Sint Maarten community struggling with their utility costs.

The program, which runs from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026, aims to support the well-being of residents by making essential services more accessible. It establishes a coordinated framework between two key organizations to deliver meaningful assistance where it's needed most. This article will walk you through the program's objectives, who is eligible, how to apply, and the benefits it offers.

Program Goals and How It Works

The primary goal of the NV GEBE & Social Services Pilot Program is to provide financial aid to individuals and families who find it difficult to keep up with their utility payments. By easing this burden, the program helps promote stability and well-being within the community.

Assistance is provided through a straightforward voucher system. Approved applicants will receive monthly vouchers from Social Services. These vouchers have a monetary value and can be used to pay for a portion of their NV GEBE utility bill. The maximum assistance an individual can receive is XCG 250.00 per month, though the exact amount is determined based on household size and income level. When paying a bill, the recipient simply presents the voucher at any GEBE office, and its value is deducted from the total amount due.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

This program is specifically for residents of Sint Maarten who are experiencing financial hardship. To qualify, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• You must be a private individual, not a business or other legal entity.

• You must have an active utility account with NV GEBE registered in your name.

• You must be a legal resident of Sint Maarten and be registered with the Civil Registry.

• You must be an existing financial aid recipient from Social Services or be able to demonstrate a clear need for financial relief.

It's important to note that businesses, vendors, tradespeople, and sole proprietors are not eligible for this program. The relief is intended for personal, residential utility accounts only.

The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for the utility relief program is managed entirely through the Division of Labor Affairs & Social Services. Following these steps will help ensure your application is processed correctly.

1. Contact Social Services

The first step is to get in touch with Social Services to request an application form and a list of the required documents. You can do this in person or by email. All inquiries about your application status should be directed to Social Services, not NV GEBE.

2. Gather Your Documentation

Submitting a complete and accurate application is crucial. You will typically be asked to provide the following documents:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (such as a passport, driver’s license, or national ID card).

• Your immigration or residence permit, if applicable.

• Proof of your address (a recent utility bill or lease agreement works well).

• Your last three months of GEBE utility bills.

• Proof of income for your household.

• Medical documentation if you are claiming medical hardship.

Providing false information can lead to disqualification from the program and potential legal consequences.

3. Submit Your Application

Once you have completed the form and gathered all necessary documents, submit them to Social Services. The department will then review your information to assess your eligibility. This process may include a home visit to verify your circumstances.

4. Await a Decision

Social Services has the sole authority to determine eligibility. If your application is approved, you will be notified and enrolled in the program for the next voucher distribution cycle. Keep in mind that submitting an application does not guarantee approval.

Maintaining Your Eligibility

The pilot program is designed to provide support for its entire one-year duration to those who remain eligible. To ensure the assistance continues to reach those most in need, Social Services will conduct a reassessment of every participant every two months.

During this review, you may be asked to provide updated documentation to confirm your situation has not changed. You can be removed from the program if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria, fail to provide the required documents for review, or are found to be misusing the program. Vouchers are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Take the Next Step

If you are struggling to pay your utility bills and believe you may qualify for this program, you are encouraged to apply. This partnership between NV GEBE and the Government of Sint Maarten is is a valuable resource for our community.

To begin the application process or to ask questions about your eligibility, please contact the Division of Labor Affairs & Social Services.

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Address: Soualiga Road #1, Pond Island

• Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Do not hesitate to reach out and see if this program can provide the support you need.