MARIGOT:--- The Collectivity of Saint Martin hereby informs the public that the Funeral Service is resuming the grave identification campaign within the various cemeteries, from April to August 2025.
A campaign to identify graves will resume as part of the restructuring of our cemeteries and to better preserve our memory sites. Remembering loved ones and identifying their tombs is essential to organizing our local cemeteries and preserving memorial sites.
This identification campaign has several objectives:
- Identifying anonymous and abandoned graves
- Informing and assisting families in identifying the graves of their deceased loved ones
- Creating a database to establish a public registry, allowing everyone to find information about the deceased and their graves.
- Identifying particularly old graves of historical interest and highlighting public figures resting there.
The on-site identification sessions are scheduled from Monday to Friday (excluding weekends and public holidays) between 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the following cemeteries:
- Marigot cemetery: from April 1st to April 30th, 2025
- Grand-Case cemetery: from May 5th to May 23rd, 2025
- Sint-George’s cemetery in French Quarter: from June 2nd to 27th, 2025
The months of July and August will be dedicated solely to appointments in all cemeteries.

The following documents enabling the identification process should also be presented:
- A copy of the death certificate and/or burial permit
- A copy of proof of identity of the person who will carry out the identification
All citizens are encouraged to collaborate with the Funeral Service on this identification campaign process, which will contribute to the enhancement of our shared heritage.
For additional information, the funeral department of the Collectivité can be reached:
• by phone: 0590 87 50 04 extension 2004 or 0690 76 10 77 / 0690 77 40 59 / 0690 59 09 67
• by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) has restarted data collection for the Social Registry, beginning in the Cul de Sac area. The goal is to register over 600 households by the end of the year.

The Social Registry is a secure government database that collects information about household needs. It helps ensure that people get the right help faster, especially after a disaster.

"Help Us Help You" is our motto because your information helps us better support you in tough times.

Trained data collectors will be visiting homes in selected neighborhoods to carry out short, voluntary surveys. We encourage everyone to take part. Your input is important for improving government services and disaster response.

“By choosing to register with the Social Registry, you enable us to better prepare for and respond to the needs of our community, both in times of disaster and in addressing ongoing social challenges,” said the Secretary General of VSA. “The information collected will help us gain a clearer understanding of the specific needs of the population, allowing us to design more effective policies and services. In the near future, individuals will also have the option to self-register online.”

All information will be kept strictly private and only used to plan programs and support services. Stay tuned for updates on our government official Facebook pages and the website.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Foundation for Secondary Education (SVOBE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Sergio D. Blomont as Education Director, effective May 1st, 2025. In this key leadership role, Mr. Blomont will oversee the overall educational direction and daily operations of SVOBE’s two secondary schools: Milton Peters College (MPC) and Sundial School.

As Education Director, Mr. Blomont will ensure educational quality, supervise personnel, support school development, and coordinate student support services and the vital annual book fund. He will also be a central member of SVOBE’s Central Management Team (CMT), which includes Finance Director Mr. Sixto Peters and General Director Mrs. Jacqueline Duggins-Horsford. As General Director, Mrs. Duggins-Horsford now operates from SVOBE’s headquarters and chairs the CMT while reporting directly to and representing SVOBE’s Board. She also represents the schools externally and ensures their smooth functioning in line with the strategic goals set by the Board.

This appointment marks Mr. Blomont's return to SVOBE. He previously served with distinction as the Coordinator and Acting Department Head of MPC’s PKL/PBL Department for several years. His dedication and leadership left a strong impression, and SVOBE was truly disheartened to see him leave at the time. The SVOBE family warmly welcomes his return in this elevated role.

Mr. Blomont brings over 25 years of combined experience in education, technical vocational training, and construction. Before this appointment, he served as the Director of the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA), a role he has held since 2018. His professional journey includes time in the Netherlands, where he worked on major construction projects, and years of dedicated teaching in the Netherlands and Sint Maarten.

With academic degrees in both Education in Technical Science and Built Environment, Mr. Blomont is especially passionate about Technical Vocational Education, Adult Learning, and Science and IT. His blend of academic rigor and practical expertise makes him uniquely suited to lead the next phase of growth and innovation at MPC and Sundial School.

SVOBE is confident that with his return and new leadership role, Mr. Blomont will significantly contribute to enhancing the educational excellence that MPC and Sundial have provided for over 55 years, nurturing many of Sint Maarten’s top professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, governors, businesspeople, tradesmen, and community leaders.

We congratulate Mr. Blomont on his appointment and wish him much success as he begins this important new chapter in service to our island’s youth and educational future.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina, has provided an important update on the long-standing issue of the Fire Department's function book, a critical document defining roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure within the department. After more than a decade of delays and incremental progress, recent developments indicate that the matter is finally approaching resolution.

A 13-Year Journey of Deliberation and Delays

Efforts to establish a formalized function book for the Fire Department date back to 2010. However, despite its obvious importance as a tool for managing the department effectively, drafting and approving the document has faced repeated setbacks. Over the years, changing administrations, bureaucratic challenges, and connecting the Fire Department's function book with those of ICT civil servants have all created significant hurdles.

Progress seemed within reach in 2018 during the administration of then-Prime Minister Leona Marlin, who took steps to advance the initiative. Yet, even with these efforts, the issue lingered unresolved.

Gaining Momentum Under the Current Administration

The current administration has reinvigorated the initiative, demonstrating a commitment to push the process to the finish line. Recent work has led to the finalization of a new draft of the function book, but discussions surrounding its content are still ongoing. Fire Department officials have raised some concerns about specific provisions in the draft, which remain to be ironed out.

Facing the risk of further delays, Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin and other leaders proposed a practical solution. Rather than halting progress, the decision has been made to adopt the current version of the function book while simultaneously addressing outstanding issues raised by stakeholders. This dual-track approach ensures that the Fire Department has a working document in place while maintaining flexibility for refinement.

Collaboration at the Forefront

A constructive meeting with Fire Department representatives was recently held to agree on a path forward. During the meeting, parties set clear timelines and an agenda to tackle unresolved concerns systematically. These ongoing negotiations are being conducted in a collaborative spirit, with the aim of producing a document that reflects the needs and expectations of the department while ensuring administrative feasibility.

The willingness of all parties to work together has been instrumental in breaking the impasse. This collaborative approach recognizes the complexity of updating a document interconnected with ICT civil servants' function books and prioritizes addressing the department's unique operational realities.

The Significance of Finalizing the Function Book

For the Fire Department, finalizing the function book is not just a matter of administrative procedure but a foundational step toward improving operational clarity and efficiency. With clearly defined roles and responsibilities, firefighters and their leaders can operate with a shared understanding of expectations and goals. This, in turn, enhances accountability and empowers personnel to perform their duties effectively in service to the community.

Resolving the issue on a broader scale sends a message about the government’s ability to address long-standing administrative challenges. Progress here reflects positively on the administration’s commitment to strengthening public services and fostering trust with civil servants and the community at large.

Looking to the Future

The resolution of the Fire Department's function book remains an ongoing process. However, the steps taken in recent months mark a significant leap forward after years of stagnation. With a finalized draft in place and a clear roadmap to address outstanding concerns, there is cause for optimism that this issue will finally be put to rest.

As St. Maarten continues to face the demands of a growing population and an evolving landscape of public safety challenges, an effective and empowered Fire Department will be critical. The progress made on this function book will play a vital role in ensuring the department is well-positioned to meet those challenges head-on.