PHILIPSBURG:---  The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) has officially launched his 2026 nationwide Anti-Bullying and Youth Mental Health Awareness Campaign, aimed at promoting safe, inclusive, and supportive school environments across Sint Maarten.

As part of the campaign, Minister Brug will be visiting various primary and secondary schools to engage directly with students and educators on the impact of bullying and the importance of mental health awareness among youth. These school visits are intended to encourage open dialogue, empathy, and positive peer relationships.

A key feature of the campaign is the Youth Mental Health Awareness video, which addresses bullying, emotional well-being, and the importance of speaking up. The video features local youth and includes a special appearance by local artist King James, who lends his voice and presence to reinforce the message of resilience, respect, and unity among young people.

“Bullying is not just a school issue; it is a community issue,” stated the Minister of VSA. “By meeting students where they are and giving them a voice, we are investing in their mental health, their confidence, and their future.”

Student Writing Competition

To further engage students and ensure a lasting impact, the Ministry has introduced a student writing competition under the theme “My Voice Against Bullying.”

Students are invited to submit an original:

• Letter, or
• Poem, or
• Short written reflection

expressing their thoughts, experiences, or message against bullying.

The competition is open to Grade 6 and high school students across Sint Maarten.

The winning submission will be awarded the title of Ministry of VSA Youth Mental Health Ambassador, providing the student with an opportunity to:

• Represent youth voices in future awareness activities
• Participate in Ministry-led campaigns and events
• Serve as a positive role model for peers

In addition, winners will receive a certificate of recognition.

PHILIPSBURG  (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) says heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but the good news is that many heart conditions are preventable.

Public health officials are encouraging residents to take proactive steps toward maintaining heart health through simple, consistent lifestyle habits and regular medical checkups.
The heart is a powerful muscle that works around the clock to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body. However, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high stress, and unmanaged medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can place significant strain on the heart over time. These risk factors can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes if not addressed early.
Here is what you can do in building a heart-healthy lifestyle. Keeping your heart healthy does not require drastic changes. Instead, it involves steady, practical habits that can be maintained over the long term.
It is recommended you take the following key steps: Eat a balanced diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit salt, sugar, and processed foods.
Stay physically active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess body weight increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Avoid tobacco products: Smoking damages blood vessels and significantly raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Limit alcohol intake: Excessive drinking can raise blood pressure and contribute to heart disease.
Manage stress: Chronic stress can affect heart health. Relaxation techniques, exercise, and adequate sleep can help reduce stress levels. Get regular health screenings: Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.
Heart health is not only an individual responsibility but also a community priority. Preventing heart disease starts with everyday choices. By staying active, eating well, and getting regular checkups, you can reduce the risk of heart disease and build healthier communities.
Residents are encouraged to speak with their healthcare providers about their personal risk factors.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Bureau Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten (BTP) has announced a partnership with the Caribbean Cyber Security Center (CCSC) of Barbados to develop a comprehensive Cyber Security policy and legal framework for Sint Maarten’s critical telecommunications and utility sectors. This collaboration aims to strengthen the protection of essential infrastructure, ensuring the reliability and security of services that residents depend on every day.

The engagement will focus on proper classification of critical infrastructure, mandating controls to ensure compliance, defining oversight mechanisms, and enforcing adherence to regulatory standards. As part of the project, CCSC will conduct a situation analysis of the current telecom and utility landscape, create a tiered policy framework with mandatory and recommended measures for telecom and utility providers, perform a legislative gap analysis and draft amendments to empower BTP to enforce standards, request reports, conduct inspections, and impose penalties for non-compliance.

Stakeholder engagement sessions will be conducted to align all key parties on policy implementation, while mechanisms for capacity building, continuous reporting, and enforcement will be established. Additionally, workshops will be held to present the Cyber Security policy and legal framework to key stakeholders in the industry. These sessions will focus on steps to improve cyber security resilience and ensure regulatory compliance.

Director of BTP, Judianne Hoeve, emphasized the importance of the project:
“For Sint Maarten, securing our critical telecommunications and utility infrastructure is not just a regulatory requirement; it is vital for the daily safety, connectivity, and well-being of all our residents. This collaboration ensures that we can protect our systems against cyber threats, maintain essential services, and provide peace of mind to the entire community.”

This partnership reflects BTP’s commitment to enhancing national cyber security, supporting economic stability, and ensuring that all residents of Sint Maarten have access to reliable and secure telecommunications and utility services.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger Marten, has formally assigned the Sint Maarten Tourism Authority Foundation (STAF) to lead the process of establishing the Sint Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) as an independent ZBO. The assignment will begin on March 1st, marking a significant step toward modernizing the country’s tourism governance structure.
The announcement follows the recent Economic Stakeholder Consultation, during which businesses, workers, and community representatives called for a more coordinated, data-driven, and future-focused approach to tourism development. The Minister noted that the Government is responding directly to these concerns, particularly regarding traffic congestion, infrastructure pressures, and the risks posed by unmanaged mass tourism.
“This is the moment to reshape the future of tourism in St. Maarten,” Minister Heyliger Marten said. “We are moving toward a smarter, more sustainable model that protects our quality of life, strengthens our economy, and ensures that tourism works for our people.”
The STA will serve as an independent, professionally managed body responsible for strengthening destination competitiveness, improving visitor management, coordinating product improvement, and supporting the growth of local businesses. The Minister emphasized that the goal is not to pursue mass tourism, but to build a higher value, better managed tourism economy that benefits residents and visitors alike.
As part of this modernization effort, the Government will also undertake a review of tourism related taxes and fees. The objective is to ensure that tourism revenue is optimized and aligned with national priorities such as:
• infrastructure improvements
• tourism product improvement
• community and cultural programs
• support for small businesses and local initiatives

The Minister stressed that this review is about responsible revenue management and long-term planning.
The assignment will be guided by two Interim Directors whose combined expertise ensures a balanced and effective approach.
Mr. James Hepple, an internationally recognized tourism strategist, brings decades of experience advising Caribbean destinations, including Aruba, Curaçao, and others. His background in tourism analytics, policy development, and long-term visioning provides the technical depth required for this national undertaking.
Ms. Cherinah Franken, a respected local tourism professional and current Head of Product Development at the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, brings essential local insight, institutional knowledge, and strong stakeholder relationships.
Together, they represent a strategic blend of international expertise and local leadership, ensuring that the process is grounded in global best practices while remaining firmly rooted in the realities of St. Maarten’s tourism economy.
A major component of the assignment is the development of a new Tourism Masterplan, the first update since the 2005 plan. The new Masterplan will be data driven, inclusive, and aligned with sustainability principles. It will serve as the blueprint for the next generation of tourism development on the island.
Minister Heyliger Marten emphasized that broad participation is essential. In the coming months, STAF will conduct a series of stakeholder engagement sessions involving:
• large hotels and resorts
• small properties, guesthouses, and boutique accommodations
• restaurants, tour operators, and activity providers
• transportation and port partners
• timeshare associations
• community groups and civil society
• tourism workers and unions

“The future of tourism cannot be written by government alone,” the Minister said. “Small properties, large hotels, tour operators, workers, and community voices all play a vital role. This process belongs to the people of St. Maarten.”
The Government has committed to transparency throughout the process and will provide updates as key milestones are achieved.
“We are building a tourism economy that opens doors for our people, empowers small businesses, and protects the systems our island depends on,” Minister Heyliger‑Marten said. “Progress will come from government, industry, and community working side by side.”
The establishment of the STA will mark the beginning of a new era for St. Maarten, one defined by smarter planning, stronger governance, and a sustainable vision for the future.