Mar 11, 2021
Digitizing the Department of Nationality and Passports Records Management Unit
Just about everyone has complained at some time or another about the lengthy wait for replacement passports or nationality certificates. Well, there may be some relief in sight. The International Organization for Migration has signed an agreement to provide digital support to the Department of Nationality and Passports Records Management Unit. This should help upgrade the current system which dates back to the 1970s and expedite the replacement of lost, mutilated, or damaged, permanent residency and nationality certificates. This will not only help Belizeans, but also immigrants since by law they must obtain permanent residency before they can become citizens. The I.O.M. has signed a similar agreement with the Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to support the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Council. The plan is to retool their case manag
In the run up to the General Elections, the PUP took umbrage to the number of contract officers that were hired by the UDP administration and pledged to not do the same. Well, it is easier said than done as immediately after the elections they had to find a place for the talented few Belizeans that are out there who happen to be affiliated with the PUP.
Based on a document of new hires forwarded to the Guardian Newspaper, there have been a marathon of hires in the various ministries. Some of the more amorphous and needless positions are all contract officers. Among some of the hires is Digno Polanco, who was hired on contract last year as a Senior Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise. He is being paid a whopping $76,340.00 in salary. Apparently, there is not enough talent within the ministry that this gentleman had to be rehired.
Feb 16, 2021
G.O.B. to Launch Belize COVID-19 Cash Transfer Program
This afternoon, the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs announced the return of the COVID-19 Relief Programme, but this time under the name, Belize COVID-19 Cash Transfer Program. The ministry has partnered with the National Bank of Belize Limited, Digi and the Belize Social Investment Fund to provide short-term emergency cash to twenty-one thousand five hundred households. The beneficiaries will receive payments of three hundred dollars every two months for a six-month period. In a release issued this evening, the ministry says that sixty thousand applications are being reviewed and enrollment into the program will be done in eight phases. For those successful applicants, payment dates will be sent through a SMS text blast. The MobilePayz solution developed by Digi will allow beneficiaries to cash out their funds using their mobile phones or through a unique code. Be
Feb 11, 2021
Areini Palacio Morgan from SEA is Taking Over at N.C.F.C.
She’s the executive director at the Southern Environmental Association and previously worked as the Advocacy Manager at the Belize Audubon Society. Now, Arreini Palacio Morgan has been appointed by the Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples Affairs as the new chairperson for the National Committee for Families and Children. The mother of two says that her desire is “to continue to collaborate with agencies that focus on the well-being of children and families.”
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