PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Service (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), is urging residents to take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their families during the current period of extreme heat across the country.

The Caribbean Heat Season runs from June to October, with the extreme months being August and September.

When daytime temperatures hover around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the risk of heat-related illnesses increases. Heatwaves are among the most dangerous natural hazards affecting communities worldwide and can have serious consequences for public health, particularly when high temperatures persist for extended periods.

CPS reminds the public that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stress, heat stroke, and other heat-related illnesses. In severe cases, these conditions can result in hospitalization or even death if not recognized and treated promptly.

Certain groups are especially vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat because their bodies adjust to high temperatures more slowly. These include infants and young children, adults over the age of 65, individuals who are overweight, persons who perform strenuous physical activities outdoors, and those living with chronic medical conditions.

Persons with kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, sickle cell disease, mental health conditions, heart disease, or circulation disorders face an increased risk of heat-related illness. CPS advises individuals with chronic health conditions to consult their physician regarding any medications or medical concerns that may affect their ability to cope with extreme heat and humidity.

Heat stress occurs when the body's natural cooling system is unable to effectively regulate body temperature. While the body normally cools itself through sweating, excessive heat and humidity can make this process less effective, causing body temperatures to rise rapidly. Extremely high body temperatures can damage vital organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys.

CPS encourages family members, caregivers, neighbors, and friends to check regularly on vulnerable individuals, particularly older adults, persons living alone, and those with chronic illnesses. At-risk individuals should be monitored at least twice daily for signs of heat-related illness. Infants and young children require even more frequent supervision during periods of extreme heat.

To reduce the risk of heat-related illness, CPS recommends the following safety measures: Stay indoors or in a cool, shaded environment during the hottest hours of the day; Spend time in air-conditioned or well-ventilated spaces whenever possible.

If air conditioning is not available at home, consider visiting public places such as shopping centers, libraries, community facilities, or the homes of family and friends where cooler conditions are available. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing.

Drink water frequently throughout the day and do not wait until you feel thirsty. Aim to drink at least two liters of water daily, or more if engaging in outdoor activities. Avoid unnecessary strenuous physical activity, particularly during peak daytime temperatures.

Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher when outdoors; Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and seek shade whenever possible; and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

CPS also advises residents to avoid excessive consumption of sugary beverages and alcoholic drinks, as these can contribute to dehydration. Very cold drinks should also be consumed with caution as they may cause stomach discomfort or cramps.

Because heavy sweating can result in the loss of important salts and minerals, sports drinks may help replace electrolytes lost through perspiration. However, individuals who are on low-salt diets or who have diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or other chronic conditions should consult their healthcare provider before consuming sports drinks or taking salt supplements.

Pet owners are also reminded to ensure that animals have access to plenty of fresh drinking water and shaded areas throughout the day. Pets can also suffer from heat-related illnesses when exposed to excessive temperatures.

"A cool or shaded environment remains one of the strongest protective measures against heat-related illness," CPS stated. "Even a few hours each day in a cooler environment can significantly reduce the risk of serious health complications caused by extreme heat."

The Collective Prevention Service encourages all residents to remain vigilant during periods of high temperatures and to take the necessary steps to stay cool, stay hydrated, and protect vulnerable family members and friends.

Persons experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, excessive sweating, nausea, confusion, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness should seek medical attention immediately.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On the occasion of World Vitiligo Day, former Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Richinel S.J. Brug, is commending the organizers, advocates, and individuals living with Vitiligo who continue to raise awareness, promote acceptance, and educate the public about the condition.

Having attended the opening activities earlier this month and received a Certificate of Appreciation, Brug said the recognition belongs to those who continue to courageously share their stories and advocate for greater understanding.

"One of the things that stood out to me was the connection between Vitiligo awareness and mental health. Too many children who appear different face bullying, teasing, or exclusion, and we often underestimate the impact this can have on their confidence and well-being," Brug said.

He also noted how inspiring it was to meet and learn about individuals living with Vitiligo who have excelled professionally and hold prominent positions in various fields around the world.

"Their success reminds us that a person's condition does not define their potential. Their talent, determination, and character do."

Brug congratulated the organizers for their continued efforts to promote inclusion and understanding, adding that World Vitiligo Day serves as an important reminder that every person deserves to feel accepted, respected, and valued.

"As a community, let us continue building a Sint Maarten where our differences are not viewed as weaknesses, but as part of what makes us stronger together. By embracing one another with kindness, understanding, and respect, we create a society where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential."

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Finance announces that the Draft Budget 2026 has officially been submitted to Parliament for consideration, marking an important milestone in the Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline, improve public financial management, and advance a more policy-driven approach to national development.

The 2026 Budget projects total revenues of Cg. 647.1 million and total operating expenditures of Cg. 635.9 million. It further provides for Cg. 164.6 million in capital investments aimed at strengthening infrastructure, improving public services, and advancing national development priorities. The government also projects Cg. 5.28 million in loans to third parties and authorizes the Minister of Finance to enter into loan agreements for capital investments of up to Cg. 42.11 million.

On the revenue side, the Government projects Cg. 478 million from taxes, Cg. 16 million from permits, Cg. 62 million from fees and concessions, and Cg. 91 million from other income sources.

The consolidated interministerial budget for 2026 amounts to approximately Cg. 608 million across the seven ministries. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport receives the largest allocation at Cg. 126 million, followed by Justice at Cg. 114 million. The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor is allocated Cg. 109 million. The Ministry of Finance receives Cg. 91 million, General Affairs Cg. 90 million, TEATT Cg. 41 million, and VROMI Cg. 37 million.

Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs acknowledged that the submission of Budget 2026 came later than originally intended.

“First and foremost, I must acknowledge that Budget 2026 was submitted later than it should have been. This is not the standard we should be operating under as a Government, nor is it the standard our people deserve. We expect taxes to be filed on time, obligations to be met, and rules to be followed. That expectation is valid and necessary for a functioning society. However, we must also be willing to apply that same standard to ourselves. Delays in the budget process affect planning, procurement, project execution, and ultimately the delivery of services to the people of Sint Maarten.”

The Minister noted that the delay does not reflect an unwillingness to deliver, but rather the complexity of preparing a national budget while simultaneously implementing a more rigorous approach to public financial management through policy-based budgeting.

Budget 2026 represents the first phase of Government's transition toward a policy-based budgeting framework. The approach strengthens the link between public spending, policy objectives, and measurable outcomes, ensuring that public funds are allocated with a clear purpose and intended impact.

“Policy-based budgeting moves us beyond simply allocating funds and toward measuring results. Every Caribbean guilder entrusted to Government should be linked to a policy objective, a national priority, and a tangible benefit for the people of Sint Maarten. At the same time, good governance requires honesty about both ambition and capacity. Our national budget cannot simply be a wish list of expenditures. We must ensure that our priorities are realistic, achievable, and matched by our ability to execute them effectively.”

As the first budget prepared under this framework, Budget 2026 served as a pilot project for a more rigorous and policy-driven approach to budgeting. While the transition contributed to delays, it also highlighted opportunities to strengthen coordination, improve planning, and refine the budget preparation process across Government.

The Minister emphasized that these lessons have already been applied to the 2027 budget cycle, which began earlier this year and is progressing according to schedule.

“Budget preparation is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance alone. It is an inter-ministerial commitment. Every ministry is responsible for submitting timely, accurate, and well-prepared policy and financial inputs, while the Ministry of Finance consolidates them into a national framework. The budget process is only as strong as the collective effort behind it. I don't like to speak in terms of failure. I prefer to speak in terms of lessons.

Budget 2026 was a shared lesson. Budget 2027 must be a shared success. Thanks to the commitment and cooperation of ministries across Government, Budget 2027 is currently on track for timely submission.”

Preparations for Budget 2027 began in February of this year following the approval of the budget parameters by the Council of Ministers. Ministries have already submitted their policy-based budget proposals, and the Ministry of Finance is currently finalizing its review before submission to the Council of Ministers.

“Budget 2027 reflects a higher standard of planning, coordination, and discipline. Our objective is clear: to submit the budget on time while continuing to improve the quality of the budget process. Strengthening public financial management is not a one-time effort. It is an ongoing commitment to better governance, greater accountability, and stronger public trust.”

The Budget aligns with the National Development Vision 2020-2030 and the Governing Program 2025-2028, with priorities including governance reform, public service improvement, economic resilience, digital transformation, social protection, environmental sustainability, and inclusive growth.

Government acknowledges that while the economy is projected to grow by approximately 2 percent in 2026, external risks such as global economic volatility, inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and climate-related shocks remain significant considerations. Internal capacity and resource constraints within the public sector also continue to present implementation challenges.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the Council of Ministers, Secretaries-General, Financial Controllers, Department Heads, and civil servants who contributed to the preparation of Budget 2026.

The Draft Budget 2026 will now proceed to Parliament for review and deliberation.

~Judge rules developer cannot remove longtime tenants as luxury Indigo Bay project moves forward~

PHILIPSBURG: --- The Court of First Instance has dealt a significant setback to plans for the multimillion-dollar Setai St. Maarten resort, ruling that the developer cannot evict the operators of the Indigo Beach Restaurant despite ongoing construction of the luxury project.

In a judgment issued on June 23, 2026, the court dismissed all claims brought by VLV Developments B.V., which sought to remove restaurant tenant Omnium Group N.V. and operator Popa Management N.V. from the beachfront property at Indigo Bay.

The ruling means the popular restaurant may continue operating while construction proceeds around it, potentially complicating the timeline for the five-star resort being developed in partnership with international luxury hospitality brand The Setai.

Long-Running Lease Dispute

VLV purchased more than 72,000 square meters of leasehold land in Indigo Bay in 2022 with plans to build The Setai St. Maarten, a luxury beachfront resort. Shortly afterward, it leased the Indigo Beach Restaurant property to Omnium under a one-year agreement.

Although that lease expired in April 2023, both parties continued their business relationship. The restaurant remained open, rent continued to be paid, and VLV accepted those payments without signing a new contract.

The court ruled that under Sint Maarten civil law, this conduct automatically converted the lease into one of indefinite duration, giving the tenant important legal protections.

Developer's Arguments Rejected

VLV advanced several legal grounds for ending the tenancy.

The company argued that Omnium should not enjoy tenant protection because both sides had originally agreed that the restaurant would eventually become part of the future resort. It also claimed Omnium had improperly subleased the restaurant to Popa Management and maintained that the property was urgently needed to construct a new luxury restaurant and sales office for the resort.

The court rejected every argument.

Judge L.J. Saarloos found no evidence that Omnium had misled the developer when the original lease was signed. The court also concluded that VLV had long known Popa Management operating the restaurant and accepting rent from it, effectively consenting to the arrangement.

"The alleged unauthorized sublease cannot now be used as grounds for termination," the ruling concluded.

Resort Not Yet a Hotel

One of the case's most important findings concerned VLV's claim that the restaurant forms part of a hotel complex, exempting it from ordinary commercial tenant protections.

The judge disagreed.

While acknowledging that a luxury resort is planned, the court emphasized that no functioning resort currently exists. Because the hotel has not yet been built, the restaurant cannot legally be considered spatially connected to a hotel under Sint Maarten's Civil Code.

Without that connection, the statutory exception allowing easier termination of commercial leases does not apply.

No Urgent Need Proven

VLV also argued it urgently required the property for its own use, intending to transform the existing restaurant into a luxury dining venue with an adjoining sales office for prospective buyers.

The judge found that claim unconvincing.

Although the location may be desirable, VLV failed to demonstrate that the restaurant site was the only suitable location on its extensive Indigo Bay property for such a facility.

The court also noted that even the developer's construction plans had changed during the proceedings—from demolishing the building to renovating and expanding it—undermining the urgency of its request.

Restaurant Remains Open

As a result of the decision, Omnium and Popa Management will remain in possession of the restaurant.

The court also rejected VLV's request to remove beach equipment from surrounding land and denied its request for daily financial penalties against the restaurant operators.

Instead, VLV was ordered to pay the defendants' legal costs of Cg. 2,500.

Wider Significance

The judgment highlights the strength of commercial tenant protections in Sint Maarten, even in the face of large-scale redevelopment projects.

For developers, the ruling underscores that ambitious investment plans alone do not override existing tenancy rights. Unless legal requirements for terminating a lease are strictly satisfied, longstanding tenants may continue occupying commercial premises—even when those premises stand in the middle of a major new resort development.

The decision is likely to influence future redevelopment projects across the island, particularly where older commercial tenants occupy land earmarked for tourism expansion.