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PHILIPSBURG:---   Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), the Honorable Omar Ottley, has dispelled the politically motivated contrast attempted by some who recently criticized the pace of constructing the new General Hospital in Sint Maarten as "the politricks of misinformation in an election year." Minister Ottley stated, While I share the same sentiments as the general public concerning the pace  of the new hospital, the issues with the hospital started way before my political journey.

Minister Ottley, said on Sunday, "As elections draw closer, it will become increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine concerns and fraudulent misrepresentations of the truth by those who seek to manipulate the public's perception of reality."

In 2019, members of parliament passed a vote of no confidence firing the then Minister of VSA Emil Lee, with one of the main points of the motion being his inability to start construction for the new general hospital, two and a half years after the contract was signed Read more

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Ambulance Workers Complete Operational And Maintenance Training For New Ambulances

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Personnel of the Sint Maarten Ambulance Department have successfully completed a five-day training course to familiarize themselves with the four (4) brand new ambulance vehicles that were delivered in late December 2022.

Conducted by ambulance manufacturer REV Group and Zoll, the training sessions focused on the use and maintenance of the ambulances and their operating systems. It also included a train-the-trainer” component to enable local ambulance workers to provide these operational and maintenance training courses in the future.

At a combined cost of approximately US $1.2 million, the new ambulances were procured through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is financed by the Government of the Netherlands, managed by the World Bank, and implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten.

Since 2018, the Sint Maarten Trust Fund has invested in equipment for Sint Maartens firefighters and ambulance workers, as well as in repair work to the Philipsburg and Simpson Bay police stations and Fire and Ambulance building to fix damage caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday evening February 4th, 2023, the Cay Hill Community Council hosted a town hall meeting for the residents of the Cay Hill, Little Bay districts in particular, and the general public.
After the opening remarks of the Cay Hill Community Council president, Ms. Angelique Romou, several speakers shared information with the audience. Among the approximately 50 persons attending was the Minister of VSA, Mr. Omar Ottley, the Minister of ECYS, Mr Read more

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El Ministro Ottley; La Cancha De Baloncesto De Cay Bay Est Encendida Nuevamente

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten El Honorable Ministro de Salud Pblica, Desarrollo Social y Trabajo, Omar Ottley acompaado por el Departamento de Asuntos Humanitarios y Familiares de Desarrollo Comunitario (CDFHA) se reuni en la cancha de baloncesto de Cay Bay para celebrar el encendido de la cancha.

La cancha est sin luz desde el paso del huracn Irma, esperamos cinco aos y medio para volver a brillar y estamos agradecidos Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  On Thursday, February 2nd, the Honorable Minister of Public Health Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley accompanied by the Community Development Family and Humanitarian Affairs Department (CDFHA) gathered at the Cay Bay Basketball court to celebrate the lighting of the court.

The court has been without lights since the passing of hurricane Irma, we waited five and a half years to shine bright again and we are thankful Read more

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Ottley Visits Home Repair Project Beneficiaries

Minister Ottley (right) speaking with one of the homeowners.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley conducted a follow up walkthrough of the residences of the home repair project recipients.

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El Ministro Omar Ottley Visita A Los Beneficiarios Del Proyecto De Reparacin De Viviendas De Cdfha

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten El Honorable Ministro Omar Ottley realiz un recorrido de seguimiento de las residencias de los beneficiarios del proyecto de reparacin de viviendas. El proyecto de reparacin de viviendas estaba dirigido a personas de la tercera edad, discapacitados, padres solteros y personas desempleadas cuyas viviendas resultaron daadas por los huracanes de 2017 y carecan de los medios econmicos para repararlas.

En la primera cohorte del proyecto de reparacin de viviendas, se repararon un total de doce viviendas Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- During a reception at Bamboo House Mark Mingo and Vision for SXM Team accepted the nomination to run on the UPP list in the upcoming parliament elections.
He will be number 4 on the list.

Present at the event were members of UPP Party, Leader MP Rolando Brison, President of Parliament Mr Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  The Honorable Minister Omar Ottley conducted a follow-up walkthrough of the residences of the home repair project recipients. The home repair project targeted seniors, the disabled, single parents, and unemployed individuals whose homes were damaged by the 2017 hurricanes and lacked the financial means to repair them.
In the first cohort of the home repair project, a total of twelve homes were fixed Read more

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El Ministro Omar Ottley: Aprobacin Otorgada Para El Sistema De Registro Social Integrado

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Se otorg la aprobacin para la implementacin de un Sistema Integrado de Registro Social (ISRS) dentro del Ministerio de Salud Pblica, Desarrollo Social y Trabajo (VSA). El registro social es una herramienta que apoyar la planificacin, implementacin, coordinacin y monitoreo efectivos de los programas y servicios de proteccin social en Sint Maarten. Es una herramienta digital que se utilizar para el registro y evaluacin de datos socioeconmicos de los hogares para mejorar la eficiencia del sistema de proteccin social, as como mejorar las respuestas de VSA en situaciones post desastre.

La implementacin de este sistema est anclada en el ncleo de la misin y visin del Ministerio, que subraya el importante papel de la proteccin social para abordar los riesgos y brindar programas y servicios a los ms vulnerables.

El ISRS brindar beneficios tales como: mejorar la coordinacin tanto dentro como fuera del Ministerio, asegurar que los recursos se canalicen hacia donde ms se merecen, deshacer el enfoque centrado en silos que ha hecho que las intervenciones actuales sean menos efectivas, establecer un enfoque ms proactivo para proteccin social respaldada por un proceso de extensin continuo a travs del uso de las mesas de ayuda comunitarias, mejorando el monitoreo y la capacidad de identificar y prevenir el fraude de beneficios, aumentando los servicios al cliente para las personas que requieren apoyo del sistema de proteccin social, mejorando el desarrollo de Polticas Gubernamentales basadas en un enfoque basado en datos y respuestas ms rpidas en tiempos de desastres.

El sistema permitir el intercambio de datos en funcin de una evaluacin de impacto de proteccin de datos que se encuentra actualmente en curso Read more

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Trabajadores De Ambulancias Completan Capacitacin Operativa Y De Mantenimiento Para Nuevas Ambulancias

El personal del Departamento de Ambulancias de Sint Maarten complet con xito un curso de capacitacin de cinco das para familiarizarse con los cuatro (4) vehculos de ambulancia nuevos que se entregaron a fines de diciembre de 2022.

Realizadas por el fabricante de ambulancias REV Group y Zoll, las sesiones de formacin se centraron en el uso y mantenimiento de las ambulancias y sus sistemas operativos. Tambin incluy un componente de “capacitacin de capacitadores” para permitir que los trabajadores de ambulancias locales brinden estos cursos de capacitacin operativa y de mantenimiento en el futuro.

Con un costo combinado de aproximadamente US$1,2 millones, las nuevas ambulancias se adquirieron a travs del Fondo Fiduciario de Sint Maarten, financiado por el Gobierno de los Pases Bajos, administrado por el Banco Mundial e implementado por la Oficina del Programa Nacional de Recuperacin (NRPB) en nombre del Gobierno de Sint Maarten.

Desde 2018, el Fondo Fiduciario de Sint Maarten ha invertido en equipos para los bomberos y trabajadores de ambulancias de Sint Maarten, as como en trabajos de reparacin de las estaciones de polica de Philipsburg y Simpson Bay y el edificio de Bomberos y Ambulancias para reparar los daos causados por el huracn Irma y el huracn Mara Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  Personnel of the Sint Maarten Ambulance Department have successfully completed a five-day training course to familiarize themselves with the four (4) brand-new ambulance vehicles that were delivered in late December 2022.
Conducted by ambulance manufacturer REV Group and Zoll, the training sessions focused on the use and maintenance of the ambulances and their operating systems. It also included a train-the-trainer" component to enable local ambulance workers to provide these operational and maintenance training courses in the future Read more

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El Honorable Ministro De Vsa, Omar Ottley; Visita A Los Mayores Durante Su Formacin Smart Tech

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten El Ministro de Salud Pblica, Social Desarrollo y Trabajo, el Honorable Omar Ottley visita a los Ancianos en el Servicio de Ayuda Comunitario para Ancianos y Discapacitados de Gaston Boasman en Hope Estate durante su capacitacin en tecnologa SMART.

Es imposible tener xito en el mundo moderno sin la capacidad de utilizar un dispositivo electrnico personal como una computadora, computadora porttil, tableta o telfono inteligente Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Honorable Omar Ottley visits the Elderly at the Gaston Boasman Community Helpdesk for the Elderly and Disabled at Hope Estate during their SMART Tech training.
It is impossible to succeed in the modern world without the ability to utilize a personal electronic device such as a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone Read more

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El Honorable Ministro De Vsa, Omar Ottley; Visita 103 Aos, Sra. Carmen Eleanore Hodge Carrington

PHILIPSBURG,Sint Maarten La Sra. Carmen Eleanore Hodge, la cuidadora de Carrington, la Sra. Erica Davis, se comunic con el Ministerio de VSA para informar sobre la extraordinaria mujer que es la Sra. Carrington. Nacida el 28 de enero de 1919 en French, St. Martin, la Sra. Carrington celebrar su 104 cumpleaos en unos dias. La Sra. Carrington dio a luz a ocho hijos, siete de los cuales estn vivos hoy y viven en Estados Unidos.

La seora Carrington era la mejor costurera de la isla y era propietaria de una boutique en Front Street, en Philipsburg Read more

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~ Amendments sent to COM on Monday.~

PHILIPSBURG: --- The Ministry of VSA is presently seeking legal advice on the amendments made to the articles of incorporation of the National Institute of Professional Advancement (NIPA). Minister of VSA Omar Ottley confirmed on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing that his ministry did not receive the amendments and he was only made aware late last year that the VSA representative term was up Read more

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La Corporacin De Desarrollo Econmico Revivi Los Aos Siguientes De Inactividad

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten La empresa estatal, Economic Development Corporation (EDC) ha revivido despus de una dcada de inactividad. El Informe de Inversin y Diversificacin publicado recientemente, esboz la poltica que, dados los desafos financieros del Gobierno, se recomienda que se designe una entidad de promocin de inversiones para tomar la iniciativa en la seleccin proactiva de inversores que reconozcan el National Visin de Desarrollo.

El EDC se incorpor en 1998 para ayudar al Gobierno a facilitar el crecimiento econmico y con su reactivacin, la EDC se centr en atraer inversiones extranjeras directas y facilitar y promover las inversiones existentes para retener y expandir operaciones en el pas Read more

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TAMPA FL:--- Seven Seas Water Group, a multi-national provider of Water-as-a-Service (WaaS) solutions, today announced the visit to the Pointe Blanche drinking water plant by Governor Ajamu Baly of Sint Maarten.
The new Governor acknowledges the importance of water reliability and visited one of the islands three drinking water production plants on Wednesday, December 14th. The plants are owned and operated by Seven Seas Water Group, which has been responsible for the reliable operations on the island since 2007 Read more

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~Tamara Leonard appointed as interim director~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government-owned company, Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has been revived after a decade of dormancy. The recently published Investment and Diversification Policy outlined that given the financial challenges of the Government, it is recommended that an investment promotion entity is designated to take lead in proactively targeting investors recognizing the National Development Vision.
The EDC was incorporated in 1998 to assist Government in facilitating economic growth and with its reactivation, the EDC will focus on attracting foreign direct investments and facilitating and promoting existing investments to retain and expand in-country operations Read more

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Ministro Ottley: Aumento De Salario Mnimo Efectivo A Partir Del 1 De Enero De 2023

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Mientras nos adentramos en otro ao, el Honorable Ministro de Salud Pblica, Desarrollo Social y Trabajo, Omar Ottley, les desea a todos un Feliz Ao Nuevo. Que este ao les traiga felicidad, paz y prosperidad. Espero que este ao traiga buenas relaciones entre empleadores y empleados y un aumento financiero para ambos, dijo el Ministro Ottley.

El 30 de noviembre de 2022 se public la LBHAM y MB para el aumento del salario mnimo, con fecha efectiva el 1 de enero de 2023.

El Ministro Ottley les recuerda a todos los empleadores que cumplan con las leyes y garanticen que los empleados a los que se les pag NAF 8,83 como salario mnimo, ahora recibirn un aumento a NAF 9,95.

Se recomienda a las personas que ganan el salario mnimo que no vean un ajuste en su prximo ciclo de pago que aborden el problema con su empleador Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- After receiving two thumbs up from the Philipsburg Vendors for the final rendering of the soon-to-be-constructed new Market Place, Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication (TEATT), the Honorable Omar Ottley, is preparing for a follow-up meeting with project financiers Royal Caribbean this week.

Minister Ottley said Wednesday, This project is a number one priority for completion for the Ministry of Tourism as it is a key piece of enhancing the Philipsburg experience for visitors.
He said regardless of who serves as the next Minister of TEATT, we should deliver on the long overdue promise given to the Philipsburg vendors.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of TEATT announced that it had secured funding for the construction of the Marketplace from the Royal Caribbean Cruise line RCI (Royal Caribbean International) Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  Effective January 1, 2023, the maximum AOV old age pension for the elderly will be increased from Naf 1240,- monthly to Naf 1338,-. This is based on Article 7, sub 3 of the national decree containing general measures. The Widow(er) and Orphan (AWW) pensions will also be increased.
The indexation for 2023, is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the second quarter of 2021 (2.84%) and the second quarter of 2022 (4.91%), as calculated by the Department of Statistics (STAT) Read more

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Ottley Urges Compliance With Minimum Wage Hike

Minister VSA Omar Ottley.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley reminds all employers to comply with the law and ensure that employees, who were paid NAf Read more

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~Wishes the public a prosperous 2023~

PHILIPSBURG--United Bus Drivers Association President Claude Omeus in his 2023 new year's address wished the population a healthy and prosperous 2023 and beyond. The expected bus fare increase has not yet gone into effect and the association is in talks with the government to introduce the increase before the end of the first quarter of 2023.

Omeus also stressed that the government specifically the ministry of TEATT, should not forget the plight of bus drivers and other public transportation services men and women who are also struggling with the impact of the high cost of living on the island.

"2022 was a year of reflection for the group while recruiting more members to join the group as drivers continue to keep their heads above water while dealing with increases in food and fuel prices Read more

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