PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), and the Sint Maarten Mental Health Foundation (MHF) are inviting professionals, community groups, and the general public to share their views on the design of the new Mental Health Care Center. Two consultation sessions will be held in early September to present draft designs and hear directly from the people who will use and support the center.

The sessions are also an opportunity to address stigma often surrounding mental health. By involving residents and professionals from the start, the project team hopes to design the new center as a welcoming and inclusive place for the entire community. Sint Maarten’s culture, art, and values will be part of the design, making it a healing space where everyone feels at home.

The first stakeholder consultation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, at the University of St. Martin (USM), bringing together about 60 invitees including government representatives, health professionals, NGOs, faith-based groups, associations, and civil society. A second consultation will take place on Thursday, September 4, from 6–8 PM at the White and Yellow Cross. This second meeting is open to the public, with a special invitation to residents living near the new center in St. Johns. At both sessions, the design of the new Mental Health Care Center will be presented. The main program will feature a panel discussion to engage in a dialogue. The audience will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback. Input gathered during the consultations will be shared with the design team to help finalize the plans. The community’s input will guide design decisions ranging from building layout to green spaces, treatment room design and facilities available to the public.

Construction of the new Mental Health Care Center is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, with completion expected in the summer of 2027.

The Mental Health Project is implemented by the NRPB on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. It is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund and the national budget of the Government of Sint Maarten. The Trust Fund is financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank.

For more information about the Mental Health Project contact the NRPB Mental Health Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or reach out to the Ministry of VSA directly.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a saga that reeks of selective transparency and questionable motives, the government of Sint Maarten, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, has found itself at the center of a storm over its handling of two critical reports on electricity and water tariffs. On one hand, we have the BTP/RAC report, a document riddled with questionable assumptions and a narrow focus on reducing tariffs. On the other hand, the RCRC report commissioned by GEBE, which systematically dismantles the BTP/RAC findings, was conveniently sidelined. The glaring contradictions between these reports and the government’s selective disclosure raise serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the true motives behind these decisions.

The BTP/RAC Report: A Flawed Foundation

The BTP/RAC report, commissioned by the government, set out with a singular objective: to determine whether the fuel component of electricity and water tariffs could be reduced. This narrow focus, as highlighted by the RCRC report, created a "tariff-reducing mindset" that ignored the broader financial implications for GEBE and the people of Sint Maarten. The BTP/RAC report failed to consider the historical lessons from Curaçao in 2011, where a similar reduction in fuel tariffs nearly bankrupted the utility company, forcing a government bailout. This omission alone is a glaring oversight that undermines the credibility of the BTP/RAC findings.

The RCRC Report: A Voice of Reason Silenced

In stark contrast, the RCRC report provides a balanced and data-driven analysis, warning against the dangers of reducing a single tariff component without considering the broader financial ecosystem. It highlights the precarious financial position of GEBE, which is already struggling to achieve reasonable returns under the current tariff structure. The RCRC report also exposes the flawed calculations in the BTP/RAC report, particularly regarding the fuel component for water production, which ignored a 1979 Ministerial Decree and led to inaccurate recommendations.

Despite its critical insights, the RCRC report was not shared with the public or stakeholders. Instead, the government chose to release a redacted version of the BTP/RAC report, effectively silencing a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation. This selective disclosure is not just a disservice to the people of Sint Maarten but a blatant act of obfuscation.

Key Contradictions and Oversights

1. Bias and Narrow Focus: The BTP/RAC report’s singular focus on reducing tariffs ignored the broader financial implications, while the RCRC report called for a comprehensive evaluation of all tariff components.
2. Historical Lessons Ignored: The BTP/RAC report failed to consider the 2011 Curaçao debacle, a critical oversight that the RCRC report highlighted as a cautionary tale.
3. Flawed Calculations: The BTP/RAC report’s miscalculation of the fuel component for water production was exposed by the RCRC report, which adhered to the 1979 Ministerial Decree.
4. Financial Sustainability: While the BTP/RAC report advocated for immediate tariff reductions, the RCRC report warned that such actions would jeopardize GEBE’s financial sustainability and lead to long-term consequences.
5. Transparency and Accountability: The government’s decision to withhold the RCRC report and release only a redacted version of the BTP/RAC report undermines public trust and raises questions about its true motives.

The Cost of Silence

The implications of this lack of transparency are far-reaching. GEBE is already grappling with significant challenges, including the need for substantial investments to upgrade its infrastructure and align its operations with the growing demands of Sint Maarten. The RCRC report highlights the risks of reducing tariffs without a balanced approach, warning that such actions could lead to a financial crisis similar to the one in Curaçao. By sidelining the RCRC report, the government has effectively denied the public access to critical insights that could inform a more sustainable and equitable tariff structure.

The people of Sint Maarten deserve better. They deserve a government that prioritizes transparency and accountability over political expediency. They deserve access to all the facts, not just a carefully curated version of the truth. And they deserve a utility company that is financially stable and capable of meeting their needs, now and in the future.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina must answer for his decision to withhold the RCRC report. What was the rationale behind this move? Why was the public not allowed to evaluate both reports and form their own opinions? And most importantly, what steps will the government take to ensure that GEBE is not pushed to the brink of financial collapse?

The time for half-truths and selective disclosures is over. The people of Sint Maarten deserve the full story, and they deserve it now.

Click here to read the analysis of the RCRC Report.

Click here to read the BTP/RAC Report.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten:---  After several weeks of dedicated fieldwork by our young researchers, the first phase of the youth-led study on youth participation, focusing on the perspectives of young people, is concluding in the month of September.

With the upcoming launch of the second phase, the research team has now shifted its focus to adults aged 25 and older. This survey was co-developed under the guidance and support of research consultant Mr. Bart van der Meijden and the Department of Youth of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport. The adult survey is officially launched this week.

This component aims to create a deeper understanding of how adults feel about youth participation in decisions that affect them at home, in schools, and in other spaces. By comparing the perspectives of youth and adults, the project aims to identify common ground and shared solutions, ensuring that youth participation strengthens outcomes for the entire community. The results will guide the development of inclusive, youth-responsive policies as part of the broader Youth Mainstreaming Agenda (2025–2030).

Both the youth and adult surveys on youth participation are anonymous, voluntary, and take only a few minutes to complete.

How You Can Participate

If you haven’t yet completed the survey, the youth researchers are calling on all members of the community to share their experiences and beliefs:

• Are you 24 years or younger? The youth survey is still open online for those who have not yet participated.
• Are you 25 or older? The adult survey is now live.

Scan the QR code or follow the survey link to contribute your voice.

The youth research team thanks the public for its ongoing support and encourages everyone to help amplify youth voices by participating.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As the 2025–2026 school year has begun, the Sint Maarten Library welcomes students, educators, and families with renewed enthusiasm, exciting opportunities, and a strong focus on academic growth. This year, we encourage all students to take full advantage of one of the most powerful tools for success: the joy of reading and the resources available at our three locations—Philipsburg, Cay Hill, and Belvedere.

“Reading is the foundation of lifelong learning,” said the General Manager of the Sint Maarten Library. “Whether exploring fiction, researching science topics, or learning new skills, books open the door to imagination, knowledge, and critical thinking.”

Each library location is fully stocked with new materials and digital resources for students of all ages and interests. Our librarians and administrative specialists are ready to help students discover materials that spark curiosity, build literacy, and support their academic journey.

Since 2024, the Sint Maarten Library has offered free library memberships to all children aged 0 to 18. This initiative promotes lifelong learning and strengthens communities by making essential resources accessible to every child.

This school year, we encourage students to:

• Read daily, both in and outside of the classroom
• Explore genres beyond their comfort zones
• Use library spaces for research, collaboration, and quiet study
• Take advantage of our digital databases and online services through the library's website

As we begin this new academic term, we invite all students to dream big, read often, and make the most of every opportunity. Let us make 2025–2026 a year of curiosity, creativity, and success!

For more information about reading programs and library services, visit the Sint Maarten Library website at www.library.sx or follow us on all major social media platforms.

Remember our motto: “Reading is Fundamental.”