PHILIPSBURG:---  As Sint Maarten commemorates the 15th anniversary of 10-10-10, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has praised the extraordinary resilience of the Sint Maarten people, affirming that even amid the passage of Tropical Storm Jerry and the challenges of building a young country, the island’s strength and unity continue to shine through.

“Today, we celebrate not only a milestone in our political history but the unshakable spirit of our people,” Prime Minister Mercelina declared. “Fifteen years ago, Sint Maarten embraced a new beginning, standing proudly as a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Though our journey has been marked by challenges, our resolve remains firm. Sint Maarten continues to rise, no matter the storm.”

Despite the inclement weather brought by Tropical Storm Jerry, Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized that the people of Sint Maarten will still take time to honor one another and reflect on how far the country has come. “As we celebrate this 15th anniversary of our Constitutional Day, we do so in recognition of every citizen, each worker, student, parent, and elder, who contributes daily to the progress of our beloved country. Together, we form the heart and soul of Sint Maarten.”

The Prime Minister noted that the official 15th anniversary celebrations will take place on Monday, October 13, 2025, providing an opportunity for the community to unite in gratitude, reflection, and renewed determination.

PM Dr. Mercelina also extended heartfelt appreciation to the forefathers and pioneers who laid the groundwork for Sint Maarten’s autonomy. “We stand on the shoulders of those whose courage and vision gave life to the idea of self-determination,” he said. “Their sacrifices and foresight made this day possible. While there is still much work to be done, we honor their legacy by continuing to build a country that is just, inclusive, and resilient.”

Reflecting on the country’s progress, PM Dr. Mercelina highlighted that every challenge, whether environmental, economic, or social, has tested but never broken the Sint Maarten spirit.

“Our country’s strength is not measured by the storms we face but by how we rise after them,” he stated. “We have rebuilt, reimagined, and reignited hope time and again. That resilience is our greatest achievement and it belongs to every citizen of Sint Maarten.”

As Sint Maarten marks this significant milestone, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s dedication to advancing national unity, strengthening governance, and securing a sustainable and prosperous future for all.

“Let us celebrate with gratitude, humility, and pride,” Dr. Mercelina concluded. “Even as Tropical Storm Jerry reminds us of nature’s unpredictability, our people remind the world of Sint Maarten’s enduring strength. Fifteen years strong, and forever resilient, this is the Sint Maarten we celebrate today.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- NAGICO Insurances proudly hosted Shadow Week, an initiative established by the St. Dominic High School, to give students firsthand exposure to the professional world.

As part of their Career Guidance Program aimed at helping students make informed decisions about their future paths, three (3) students from their institutions, temporarily joined the NAGICO team in our IT and Claims Department.

Throughout the week, the students, Khayr Vrutaal, who worked with the Claims Team, Emilio Manca, and Jonathon Rosario, who both worked with the IT team, were paired with a mentor who guided them through daily tasks, shared insights about their role, and answered questions about the respective fields.

“The goal of Shadow Week is simple yet impactful: to allow students to orient themselves in fields they are genuinely interested in and to experience the rhythm and responsibilities of the working world,” Mrs. Esmeralda Richardson, NAGICO HR Business Partner, St. Maarten, Saba & Statia explained. “By stepping into real-life work environments, students can gain valuable perspective and insight on what it takes to succeed in their chosen careers, and at NAGICO, we are a big proponent of this because we are an organization that is people-centric and focused.”

She mentioned that “It was inspiring to see the students engage with the teams even outside of the departments in which they were placed, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine curiosity about the work we do. We believe that investing in their development today will help shape a stronger workforce for our community tomorrow.”

The feedback from the students was very positive, and the employees, in turn, found the experience rewarding and energizing, as mentioned, it had them reflecting on their own career journeys during the mentoring period.

Shadow Week, according to the St. Dominic High School, is more than just a glimpse into the workplace—it’s a bridge between education and employment, helping students build connections, gain clarity, and envision their future with greater confidence.

NAGICO Insurances was humbled to be part of this experience, and we look forward to continuing this initiative and expanding opportunities for our young minds to explore, learn, and grow.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Solemn Public meeting on Monday, October 13, 2025.

The Public meeting is scheduled for 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:

10-10-2025: Commemorating the Fifteenth Anniversary of the attainment of Country Status of Sint Maarten within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; A reflection of 15 years of Country Status.

It has become customary that the Parliament of Sint Maarten organizes a solemn meeting of Parliament every 5 years on the

occasion of attainment of separate status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

While the official date is October 10^th, this year’s festivities, celebrating Country Sint Maarten 15^th anniversary will take place on October 13, 2025. This also means the Parliament of Sint Maarten has existed for 15 Years.

For this special occasion, Parliament have invited several key stakeholders, dignitaries and special invited guests amongst others former Presidents of Parliament, and former Secretary Generals of Parliament to be part of the solemn meeting.

Besides the customary speeches by the President of Parliament and Faction Leaders, the program of this ceremonial gathering also includes a speech by the First President of Parliament, drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, and speeches by former recipients of the President of Parliament Award Mr. Ralph Cantave and Ms. Rochana Richardson.

A ceremony to unveil the Presidents and Secretaries General Wall and the burial of Parliament’s Time Capsule will take place in the lobby area at the House of Parliament, immediately following the solemn meeting. 

Access to the house of Parliament for this special occasion is upon invitation only.  

The General Public is invited to follow the ceremony, via live broadcast on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

CUPE COY:--- His Excellency, Governor of Sint Maarten, Ajamu G. Baly, hereby informs the public that the 2025 Governor’s Symposium, originally scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, has been postponed to Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

This decision follows the official communique issued by the Government of Sint Maarten on October 9, 2025, stating that the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the country, with tropical-storm conditions expected within the next 24 hours.

After consultation with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM), the Government has announced the closure of all non-essential offices on Friday, October 10, 2025, as a precautionary measure.

In light of these developments and to ensure the safety of all guests, contributors, and participants, His Excellency the Governor, together with the 2025 Symposium Organizing Committee, has decided to postpone the event to Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Governor Baly and the Organizing Committee thank all stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation, and encourage the public to monitor official updates from the Government of Sint Maarten and the Meteorological Department.

Attendance at the Symposium is by invitation only. However, the public is invited to join the conversation virtually via livestream on the Governor’s Facebook page and YouTube channel beginning at 8:30 a.m. Registration for in-person guests will start at 8:00 a.m., and the program will commence promptly at 8:45 a.m.