Community and Society
Women’s Month: Barbados PM Mia Mottley sends message to Belize’s women police officers
When the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, visited San Pedro Town for the 33rd inter-sessional conference meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM early in March, she was impressed with the genuine and warm hospitality of Belizeans. On the occasion of women’s month, Mottley, an iconic Caribbean leader, addressed the women of the Belize Police Department, highlighting the experience with Belmopan City Sergeant Lisa Jones, whose conduct as her close protection officer during the CARICOM conference was deemed exemplary.
Community and Society
Children rewarded for raising awareness during Earth Hour 2022 event
Four children received cash prizes on Saturday, March 26th, after participating in the annual Earth Hour event. The activity, organized by the San Pedro Town Council, had participants show their creativity and create Earth-themed items to remind everyone of the importance of taking care of our planet.
Community and Society
BWS says water supply for San Pedro is fully restored
The issues of low water pressure and shortages plaguing San Pedranos for the past weeks have reportedly ended after Belize Water Services (BWS) stated on Monday, March 28th, that supplies have been fully restored. BWS had been scheduling interruptions and low water pressure because of a mechanical malfunction in their plant on the island. The problem was resolved with the faulty plant gear repaired, and since then, the service has been returned to normal.
Community and Society
New services to advance Belize’s tourism product under a new brand launched at Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve
On a cloudy, cool day, on Friday, March 25th, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainable Association (TASA) hosted an official ceremony at Calabash Caye within the Turneffe Atoll Reserve to launch five new eco-tourism options under the brand Bluerise. The recreation areas include the Witconcrete ship, Calabash nature and underwater trails, a mooring network, and the Bluerise online portal to pay access fees. This initiative supported by the private sector and the government aims to offer more tourism products within this marine reserve to tourism stakeholders and visitors.
Community and Society
Earth Hour 2022: an educational space for the family
Earth Hour is Saturday, March 26 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. In Belize, WWF (World Wildlife Fund) has built a website that citizens may visit during the hour where they can learn about different environmental education tools and write a pledge to be carried out during the year.
Community and Society
Queen’s Baton comes to Ambergris Caye
Ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham, England, this year, the Queen’s Baton Relay has started to visit all Commonwealth nations, including Belize. The Baton is currently in Belize, and on Wednesday, March 23rd, it made it to Ambergris Caye, where it was taken to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and showcased near the world’s second-largest barrier reef.
Community and Society
Minimum wage to increase to $5 per hour this July; cost of living still on the rise
On Thursday, March 24th, during the sitting of the House of Representatives, Deputy Prime Minister Honourable Cordel Hyde announced that as of July 1st, the minimum wage would increase from $3.30 to $5 per hour. Belizeans welcome this increase when the cost of living rises due to inflation caused by factors such as elevated fuel prices.
Community and Society
Belize observes World Meteorological Day 2022
Belize joins the rest of the world in celebrating World Meteorological Day 2022, on the 23rd of March, under the theme “Early Warning and Early Action”. This day commemorates the coming into force of the convention that established the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. This year’s theme highlights the importance of having adequate and easily accessible hydrometeorological and climate information to aid in disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.