PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in an urgent Public meeting today, February 4, 2026.

The Public meeting, which was adjourned on January 29, 2026, in the second round, was scheduled to reconvene on February 3, 2026, but did not take place due to a lack of quorum. The meeting is scheduled to be reconvened today at 16.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of General Affairs, and the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor will be in attendance.

The Ministers will return to Parliament to provide answers to the questions posed by Members of Parliament in the second round.

The agenda point is:
Deliberations with the Minister of General Affairs and the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor to address the escalating situation involving the nation’s fire and ambulance personnel (IS/320/2025-2026 dated November 10, 2025)

This meeting was requested by MP E.J. Doran, MP A.M.R. Irion, MP D.T.J. York, MP O.E.C. Ottley, MP L.CJ. Lewis and MP F.A. Lacroes

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of Sint Maarten has reached a major milestone in strengthening its healthcare system with the completion of the draft National Ordinance on the Healthcare Professionals Registry (HCPR). Once approved by all stakeholders and ultimately ratified by Parliament, this ordinance will establish—for the first time in the country’s history—a legally anchored and integrated national registration framework for medical professionals.

This achievement is the result of a multi-year preparatory process that began in 2019 and was driven by the urgent need to bring clarity, structure, and legal certainty to the regulation of medical practice in Sint Maarten.

“This ordinance represents a decisive step toward safeguarding patient safety and strengthening trust in our healthcare system,” said Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina. “For too long, our system relied on fragmented and temporary measures. With this draft framework, we are putting in place a solid, future-proof structure that ensures only qualified and competent professionals to practice medicine in Sint Maarten.”

The initiative was prompted by practical challenges in the admission, assessment, and supervision of medical professionals. In the absence of a uniform national registration system, there was uncertainty about who was authorized to provide care, how professional competence was evaluated, and which medical acts could be performed. These challenges were compounded by the small and vulnerable nature of Sint Maarten’s healthcare sector and its strong dependence on professionals trained abroad.

“As a small island with an international labor market, we must be especially vigilant about quality and accountability,” the Prime Minister emphasized. “This law ensures that every doctor, nurse, and healthcare professional working here meets clear and transparent standards—standards our people deserve.”

The preparatory work began in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina, in close collaboration with healthcare professionals. International models, including those of Aruba and the Dutch BIG register, were reviewed and adapted to Sint Maarten's scale and administrative capacity. Over the years, the process involved extensive consultations with stakeholders in the healthcare sector. In the past year, legislative lawyer Ms. Aarti Baran further developed the initiative and translated the outcomes into a coherent legal framework, incorporating, as far as possible, the insights and concerns raised during consultations into the draft legislation.

“This was never about copying foreign models,” said the Prime Minister. “It was about designing a system that works for Sint Maarten—our size, our realities, and our future."

The new framework is built on the principle that only recognized and demonstrably competent professionals may provide medical care. Registration and periodic re-registration form the backbone of the system, supported by continuing professional development and periodic assessment. This approach prevents individuals without up-to-date expertise or proven competence from practicing medicine and provides structural protection for patients.
“Patient safety is not optional—it is fundamental,” the Prime Minister stated. “This registry places quality, competence, and professionalism at the heart of healthcare delivery.”

Recognizing Sint Maarten’s position within an international labor market, the draft ordinance allows for the designation of foreign medical registers as equivalent and for the recognition of accrediting bodies responsible for assessing foreign diplomas and educational programs. It also introduces an admission program for professionals who require additional assessment. This program evaluates knowledge, skills, and professional competence and ensures familiarity with the local healthcare context.

“We are opening the door to qualified international professionals, while at the same time protecting our standards,” the Prime Minister added. “This balance is essential for a resilient healthcare system.”
The National Ordinance on the Healthcare Professionals Registry marks the end of a transitional phase and the beginning of a sustainable and structured regulatory framework for medical professions in Sint Maarten. It strengthens legal certainty for healthcare providers, enhances protection for patients, and increases public confidence in the healthcare system.

“This is not just a legal reform—it is a public health reform,” Prime Minister Mercelina concluded. “It sends a clear message: Sint Maarten is serious about quality healthcare and serious about protecting its people.”

Following the groundwork laid under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Mr. Brug will continue the process. The draft national ordinance is currently held in the VSA Minister’s portfolio and will undergo the necessary administrative and legal procedures before being submitted to Parliament for consideration and implementation.

~ Residents Urged to Secure Their Stickers Before February 27 Deadline ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Tax Administration is pleased to announce that the distribution of the 2026 Motor Vehicle Stickers will officially begin on February 4, 2026. To ensure an organized and efficient process, residents will receive their stickers according to their designated vehicle category.

The distribution will occur in two stages. The first phase will run from February 4 to February 11 and will cover vehicles classified under the following categories: P, B, Taxi, T, Z, and Gar. Beginning February 12, the second phase will include all remaining vehicle categories.

To obtain the 2026 Motor Vehicle Sticker, residents must provide proof of payment, valid insurance, and a valid inspection card. Payments can be made online, via bank transfer, or in person at the Receiver's Office.

Online payments can be completed with credit or debit cards through services.sintmaartengov.org, while bank transfers must include the name and vehicle plate number and can be made to the following accounts: WIB USD 324800-05 / XCG 324800-03 or RBC USD 8200000403930461 / XCG 8200000005425048. For payments made via bank transfer, receipts and stickers can be collected at the Receiver's Office within three to five working days, provided all required documents are presented.

To facilitate the Motor Vehicle Sticker distribution, the Receivers' Office will operate from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM throughout the month of February. Cash payments can be made in person at the Receiver's Office on Pond Island until 3:00 PM daily, with a maximum of three transactions per person.

Businesses and families with more than three vehicles are encouraged to submit a sealed envelope to the Receiver's Office containing copies of their proof of payment, valid insurance, and inspection cards, along with their name and contact number. Once the envelope is complete, the Tax Administration will contact you to schedule a pickup at a designated date and time. The deadline for the use of this service is February 18, 2026.

To enhance service accessibility, seniors aged 62 and older will be assisted at Window 6. Taxpayers are also encouraged to use the APS parking lot adjacent to the Government Building for added convenience when visiting the Receiver's Office.

All residents should note that the final deadline to complete payments for the 2026 Motor Vehicle Stickers is February 27, 2026.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA) has applauded the decision by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication to include small properties in its ongoing Strategic Economic Workshops and stakeholder consultations addressing national development priorities. The inclusion of the small properties sector took place today during Day 2, themed “The Future of Tourism, Yachting, Safety & Security,” and featured a panel discussion on “Opportunities and Risks for Tourism Development in St. Maarten.”

The panel brought together representatives from tourism and hospitality, environmental planning, port, safety, and security, underscoring the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in shaping resilient and sustainable tourism development. On the panel representing the small properties sector was Mr. Anastacio Baker of Baker Suites. SMSPA emphasized that the inclusion of small properties is critical to effective tourism policy development. Small and locally owned accommodations play a unique role in community-based tourism, local employment, neighborhood safety, and the overall visitor experience. Their participation ensures that policies and support programs are grounded in operational realities and aligned with long-term sustainability goals. “As President of the St. Maarten Small Properties Association, I attended both Day 1 and Day 2 of the workshops as a representative of the sector and found the discussions to be impactful and forward- looking” said Ms. Nzinga Lake.

“We commend the Ministry of TEATT and TWO/BZK for its leadership in convening a broad range of stakeholders and for intentionally creating space for inclusive dialogue. Such collaborations strengthen policy outcomes and support a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector. SMSPA and its members welcome continued engagement in future consultations on tourism policies and support programs relevant to small and locally owned properties,” said Ms. Lake
About the St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA):
The SMSPA represents small hotels, guesthouses, and boutique accommodations in St. Maarten. Its mission is to promote sustainable growth, collaboration, and quality service within the hospitality industry while providing visitors with authentic Caribbean experiences.