PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) calls on the population after every rainfall event, it is important to inspect your property for potential mosquito breeding spots.
Mosquitoes can lay eggs in even the smallest amounts of standing water, and these eggs can develop into biting adults in as little as a week.
By removing standing water after each rain, you can significantly reduce mosquito populations around your home and help protect your family and community from mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.
By identifying and removing sources of stagnant water—ranging from discarded containers to clogged gutters—communities can drastically reduce the population of Aedes aegypti at their source.
Ultimately, maintaining a "clean and dry" environment is not merely a household chore; it is a vital civic responsibility that safeguards the most vulnerable members of the population and ensures a healthier, more resilient community.
Mosquitoes breed in small amounts of standing water, especially in containers around homes and businesses (e.g., buckets, plant saucers, discarded items, tires, clogged gutters).
Mosquitoes are often active during the daytime, with biting frequently occurring outdoors in shaded areas and it can spread through transport and trade when eggs/larvae are moved in water-holding items.
Eliminating breeding sites is the most effective way to reduce mosquito populations. We urge everyone to take the following actions at least once per week: Tip it, toss it, cover it.
Empty and scrub containers that hold water: buckets, coolers, flowerpot saucers, pet bowls, vases, toys, tarps. Properly dispose of unused items that collect rainwater.
Cover water storage. Ensure cisterns, drums, and barrels are securely covered with tight lids or fine mesh. Clean drains and gutters. Remove leaves and debris to prevent water from pooling.
Manage tires and bulky items. Store tires under cover or disposing of them properly—tires are a high-risk breeding site. Businesses and property managers, construction sites, tire shops, marinas, and rental properties are asked to intensify weekly checks and maintain premises free of standing water.
Mosquito control cannot be achieved by government services alone. It requires sustained action by households, communities, and businesses across the entire island.
By working together, we can reduce breeding sites, lower mosquito populations, and protect residents and visitors.
To report any concerns with mosquito breeding or for any assistance, contact CPS’ vector control team by phone +1(721) 520-4161, 542-1222/1570, or 914.
Vector control can also be contacted by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ministry of VSA announces official commencement of the Healthcare Professional Registrar project.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of VSA has officially launched the Healthcare Professional Registrar Project, funded through the Temporary Working Organization (TWO), as a key step toward strengthening patient safety, transparency, and trust within the national healthcare system.
For the first time, Sint Maarten will establish a local, publicly accessible register to ensure that healthcare professionals practicing on the island are properly qualified, meet national standards, and maintain the required professional competencies. This register will provide the public with a reliable mechanism to verify healthcare professionals, while also strengthening oversight and supporting regulatory compliance across the sector.
“This register is an essential instrument for safeguarding patient safety and reinforcing trust in our healthcare system. It ensures that professional standards are clear, verifiable, and consistently upheld,” stated the Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor.
The introduction of the Healthcare Professional Registrar aligns Sint Maarten with best practices within the Kingdom and the wider region. It supports a more structured and accountable healthcare framework, contributing to improved quality assurance and patient protection.
Consultants were selected following a formal vetting process based on the publication of Terms of Reference for key project roles, including a Project Manager and a Legislative Draftsman. Mr. Javier Asin and Ms. Joanne Dekker were selected as Project Manager and Legislative Draftsman, respectively, and officially commenced their duties in early February.
The selection of the two consultants and the drafting of the necessary legislation represents the first step in a broader, phased process. While the legal framework is foundational, the development and implementation of a robust digital platform will be the most critical component of the project. The digital system will serve as the operational backbone of the register, ensuring accessibility, reliability, data integrity, and long-term sustainability.
In accordance with the approved Plan of Approach, the consultants will use the initial months of the project to engage with relevant stakeholders in the public health sector and review comparable legislation in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This review will also include the draft framework submitted by the Prime Minister, as well as other relevant legislative frameworks within the Caribbean that may be suitable for Sint Maarten.
The position of IT Systems Specialist will be revised and republished later in 2026 to ensure that the technical requirements for the digital platform are clearly defined and fit for purpose.
The Healthcare Professional Registrar is a cornerstone in safeguarding the integrity, safety, and efficiency of Sint Maarten’s healthcare system. By promoting transparency, accountability, and professional standards, this initiative represents a significant investment in improved patient care and public confidence. The Ministry looks forward to keeping the public informed as this important project progresses.
Minister Tackling Updates on Police Back Payments and Overtime Budgets.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling addressed concerns regarding law enforcement compensation during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, providing crucial updates on back payments and overtime provisions for the upcoming festival season.
Responding to inquiries about outstanding payments for the police force, Minister Tackling confirmed that significant progress has been made. She clarified that officers who have already received their formal decrees (LBs) have, for the most part, been compensated.
“As soon as you get that LBs, typically the retroactive pay from January 1st, 2023, until the date that you receive the LBs, is paid out on the next payroll by wages and salaries,” Tackling explained. This process ensures that once the administrative paperwork is finalized, the financial settlement follows swiftly.
The Minister noted that the ministry is awaiting the final two batches of decrees from the Governor. “I’m not even sure if there are really many officers left in those,” she stated, adding that she intended to follow up immediately on the status of these final groups.
Carnival Overtime Secured
As Carnival season approaches, concerns were raised about overtime pay for officers required to work extended hours. Minister Tackling assured the public and the force that these costs are already accounted for.
“That is budgeted for every year within our budget,” she confirmed. “We typically don’t have any issues when it comes to paying out the overtime for the festival season.”
She recalled that in previous years, the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) had assisted by providing additional budget for extra events, ensuring that security needs were met without financial strain on the officers.
While the current systems are functioning, Minister Tackling acknowledged the desire for increased financial resources for the Justice Ministry. “We would love to have more budgets as a Ministry of Justice,” she remarked, emphasizing her continued advocacy for ensuring the justice chain is adequately funded to meet its operational demands.
Minister Tackling Confirms delay in New Immigration System, Addresses “Red Flag” Concerns.
PHILIPSBURG — The long-awaited digital transformation of the Immigration and Naturalization Department (IND) has hit a snag, with Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling confirming that the new system’s launch has been pushed back to April 2026.
During Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Tackling addressed concerns regarding ongoing delays, the permit backlog, and questions surrounding "red flags" on investor applications.
System Launch Delayed to Avoid Confusion
Initially slated for a January rollout, the new immigration management system is now expected to go live in the second quarter of the year. Minister Tackling explained that the delay was a strategic decision to prevent administrative chaos.
"The idea was that we would launch at the beginning of this year. However, not all of the system is ready," Tackling stated. She noted that the department considered a partial launch but ultimately rejected the idea. "I didn't want us to have some permits in a new system while family members would have to apply in the old system. That's not efficient."
The Minister emphasized that a "splintered, segmented system" would confuse the public and burden immigration staff by checking two separate databases. She has instructed the developers to deliver a fully complete system before going public. Once ready, the launch will be accompanied by a multilingual awareness campaign in English, Spanish, and Creole to ensure all segments of the population can navigate the new process.
Backlog Battle Continues
Despite the technological delays, the Minister maintained that significant progress has been made on the processing backlog.
"Up to last week, I was told, hey, we're pretty much caught up," Tackling said, though she acknowledged that individual cases often slip through the cracks. She attributed many lingering delays to incomplete files or communication breakdowns, including emails from the IND that fail to reach applicants.
However, media reports suggest a different reality on the ground, with claims that simple renewal requests have gone unanswered for over a year. The Minister committed to investigating these specific discrepancies.
Unexplained “Red Flags” for Investors
A critical point of contention arose over reports that foreign investors are encountering "red flags" in their residency applications, allegedly delaying major real estate purchases.
When pressed on why legitimate investors might be flagged, Minister Tackling admitted she was unfamiliar with specific cases requiring a permit before purchasing property. "That doesn't make sense to me that you need a permit to buy a property, because normally you would buy the property first and request the permit after," she noted.
While she could not provide specific reasons for these flags without more details, Tackling defended the department’s compliance measures. She stressed that the IND must screen for public order, safety, and potential misuse of the immigration system.
"We have a compliance department within immigration... looking at, is there a kind of misuse of our immigration system going on?" she explained.
As the April deadline approaches, pressure remains on the Ministry of Justice to deliver a functional system that balances efficiency with the necessary security checks required for St. Maarten’s growing economy.
Soul Beach Music Festival will not return this Year, Minister Confirms.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Soul Beach Music Festival, a significant event for Sint Maarten's tourism sector, will not be held this year, according to statements from the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten. The decision stems from a breakdown in a planned collaboration.
The Minister explained that the intention was to host the festival this year through a partnership with the French side of the island. This collaboration was contingent on the French side making a deposit last year to secure the 2026 event.
"We were trying to host Soul Beach this year, but with the collaboration of the French side, who was supposed to then make the deposit last year to secure this year, and that unfortunately didn't happen," Minister Heyliger-Marten stated during the Council of Ministers Press Briefing. "Unfortunate, but it wasn't possible, and that's one of the reasons Soul Beach isn't here."
Despite this year's cancellation, the Minister remains a firm believer in the festival's value to the country. She highlighted its positive impact and confirmed that a detailed report on the event's contributions is forthcoming.
"I still believe in Soul Beach," she affirmed. "You'll get a full breakdown of what Soul Beach brought to this country last year, and then you'll understand the importance of why Soul Beach is still something we will not let go."
The Minister also noted that she is awaiting a final report from the General Audit Chamber regarding the festival, which she expects to receive shortly. Once the report is in hand, she plans to present the findings to Parliament and the public.