PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Mr. Richinel Brug, proudly extends his full support to the Labor Symposium, taking place from May 13 to 15, 2025, at Port St. Maarten. The Windward Islands Civil Servants Union – Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU) organized the symposium in collaboration with the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU).

Minister Brug applauds the joint efforts of WICSU-PSU and WITU for hosting this timely initiative, which brings together participants from all sectors of the labor market, including the public sector, private enterprises, semi-public bodies, labor unions, employers, and government agencies.

“This symposium is a testament to the importance of constructive dialogue and shared learning across all layers of the labor force. I encourage everyone—workers and employers alike—to take part in this vital exchange of knowledge and perspectives,” said Minister Brug.

The three-day event will feature presentations from legal experts, labor leaders, regional delegates, and institutional representatives. Topics will include labor laws, workers' rights, responsible employment, and building a just future of work.

Space is limited, and Minister Brug strongly encourages those interested in attending, in particular civil servants of the Ministry of VSA to register as soon as possible.

Register by sending an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Ministry of Labor looks forward to the active participation of all stakeholders and congratulates WICSU-PSU and WITU for spearheading this important platform for labor empowerment.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Finance, the  Marinka Gumbs, has announced a significant shift in the government’s approach to the 2025 budget approval process. During a public meeting of Parliament held on Thursday, Minister Gumbs outlined a strategic change aimed at streamlining the approval process and ensuring compliance with legislative standards. The revised approach comes in response to feedback from Members of Parliament (MPs) and key institutional stakeholders.

Rationale Behind the Change

The decision to alter the budget approval strategy was driven by a collective desire to expedite the process. Addressing Parliament, Minister Gumbs stated, “This change in approach is a direct response to the desire of Parliament to expedite the budget’s approval process.” After extensive consultations with the Council of Financial Supervision (CFT), the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), the Governor, and the Council of Advice, it was determined that resubmitting a revised version of the budget featuring only the formally approved amendments was the most efficient and legally sound course of action.

The revised version of the 2025 budget includes seven key amendments:

• Three memorandums of modification submitted by the government
• Four amendments were approved by Parliament

The streamlined approach ensures that the budget presented aligns with previously agreed-upon changes, avoiding delays caused by the inclusion of new or contentious items. This revised version was officially forwarded to the Council of Advice on April 25, 2025.

Enhancing Efficiency and Legal Compliance

The updated budget includes an emergency clause, enabling it to take immediate effect upon publication following parliamentary approval. This provision reflects a commitment to efficiency while adhering to legal obligations. Minister Gumbs emphasized that no additional modifications have been made to the original budget, which had already received unanimous approval in January 2025 by the Members of Parliament present.

Despite these changes, the Minister confirmed that other important issues requiring financial attention will not be overlooked. A separate budget amendment will be presented later in the year to address additional funding priorities, including allocations for the Taleo system and the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF).

Commitment to Transparency

Minister Gumbs took the opportunity during Thursday’s session to address questions previously raised by MPs, particularly those posed during the budget update on April 14. While these responses were initially scheduled to be provided in writing, the Minister opted for a public disclosure in the interest of transparency. The decision also aligned with MP Egbert Doran’s call for greater openness during public meetings.

“I find it appropriate to answer those questions publicly today as part of my update on the budget,” Minister Gumbs stated. She assured Parliament that written responses would also be distributed to all MPs, ensuring accountability and accessibility.

Implications for Fiscal Responsibility

The announcement reinforces the government’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and effective governance. Minister Gumbs highlighted the pragmatic nature of the revised process, emphasizing that it balances timely approval with maintaining the integrity of the legislative framework. By focusing on amendments that have already received formal approval, the government aims to avoid unnecessary delays while upholding its commitment to transparency and sound financial management.

A Path Forward

The strategic adjustments to the budget approval process underscore the government’s responsiveness to stakeholder input and its commitment to efficient governance. With a firm focus on legislative integrity and fiscal prudence, the revised 2025 budget process sets an example of adaptability and collaboration. These steps not only expedite approval but also pave the way for addressing critical financial needs in the near future.

Minister Gumbs’ approach reflects the broader goals of fostering trust and transparency in governance, ensuring that public resources are managed effectively and in the best interest of the nation.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), says Saturday, May 10, 2025, is World Lupus Day under the theme, “Belonging. Belief.”

This theme emphasizes the importance of community support and the belief in a future where lupus is better understood and managed.

It's a call to action for people to join together in raising awareness, advocating for patients, and supporting research into this autoimmune disease.

Lupus is a chronic, auto-immune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years.

In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs (“foreign invaders,” like the flu).

Normally a person’s immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Auto-immune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”) and creates auto antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These auto antibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

The local support group for lupus is Butterfly Warriors who can be reached via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For those interested in joining them, just reach out.

World Lupus Day is sponsored by the World Lupus Federation, a coalition of lupus patient organizations from around the world, united to improve the quality of life for people affected by lupus.

World Lupus Day serves to call attention to the impact that lupus has on people around the world. The annual observance focuses on the need for improved patient healthcare services, increased research into the causes of and cure for lupus, earlier diagnosis and treatment of lupus, and better epidemiological data on lupus globally.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) which falls under the Fire Department (Ministry of General Affairs) headed by Fire Chief/Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson, is appealing to all residents and businesses to start to prepare for the hurricane season.  Do not wait until June 1^st or for the last minute to make such preparations.

You have the time now to prepare in a timely manner for what has been described to be an active hurricane season.

The 2025 storm names are: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy.

The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and how to prepare for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.”

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/

Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season.  Be prepared!