PHILIPSBURG:---  As of February 25, the Sint Maarten Tax Administration reports that 11,898 QR code stickers about 23% of the total 51,869 ordered, have been sold for the 2026 Motor Vehicle Stickers period.

While many vehicle owners have already paid for and collected their stickers, the current figures indicate that approximately 77% remain outstanding. Motorists are strongly urged to pay for and collect their QR code stickers.

A closer look by vehicle category shows that for personal vehicles, 29,000 M category stickers were ordered, with 6,327 sold to date, and 9,999 P category stickers were ordered, with 2,775 sold.

For public transportation classifications, 350 Bus category stickers were ordered and 116 sold; the T category shows 270 ordered and 80 sold, while the Taxi category has 600 stickers ordered and 377 sold.

Within specialized vehicle classifications, Z plates account for 650 ordered and 119 sold. The R category reflects 3,600 stickers ordered and 715 sold, the G category shows 160 ordered and 56 sold, the V category has 5,000 ordered and 1,057 sold, and the MF category reflects 1,900 stickers ordered and 187 sold.

These figures clearly indicate that many motorists have yet to meet their obligations. The Tax Administration strongly encourages all vehicle owners to visit the Receiver’s Office, which operates from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM daily throughout February, with cash payments accepted until 3:00 PM. Payments can also be made online via https://services.sintmaartengov.org/ or through bank transfer.

The Sint Maarten Tax Administration urges all motorists not to wait until the final hours to comply and to ensure that their vehicles are stickered and legally compliant.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs of Parliament will meet on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The Committee meeting is scheduled for 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) will be present.

The agenda points are:
1. Discussion on the frameworks regulating medical education on the island of Sint Maarten (IS/370/2025-2026 dated November 20, 2025)
2. Presentation on the results of the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) and Early Grade Mathematics Assessment (EGMA) (IS/598/2025-2026 dated January 26, 2026)
Agenda point 1 was requested by MP F.A. Lacroes, MP O.E.C. Ottley, and MP L.C.J. Lewis, agenda point 2 was requested by the Minister.

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 Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament

Pointe Blanche:--- Police are investigating the death of a 37-year-old Guyanese national who was found in the Pointe Blanche area on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Authorities were dispatched to the location at approximately 11:26 AM following a report of an unresponsive male. Upon their arrival, officers discovered the body of an adult male in a hanging position.
According to the initial report, the body showed signs of decomposition at the time it was found. Investigators at the scene noted that there were no immediate visible signs of foul play. The identity of the deceased was known to authorities at the time of the discovery.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten has extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. They wish them strength as they navigate this difficult time.

PHILLIPSBURG: --- The ongoing struggle to maintain cleanliness on St. Maarten’s streets and boardwalks has come into sharp focus, with government officials acknowledging systemic failures in waste collection and outlining plans for stricter enforcement.

On Wednesday, the Minister of VROMI responded to questions regarding the state of sanitation on the island. The Minister responsible for infrastructure and waste management highlighted a complex web of challenges ranging from unqualified contractors to public non-compliance with disposal rules.

"I think one of the biggest challenges we've had with garbage overall is that a number of the people who have been awarded garbage contracts were not qualified," the Minister stated, referencing public findings from the Ombudsman’s reports. This capacity shortage among haulers has led to inconsistent collection schedules over the past year, resulting in unsightly pile-ups in public areas.

While the island offers daily garbage collection free of charge, the Minister noted that this service is rare globally and that the system is strained. Residents often ignore the waste ordinance, particularly concerning "white material" such as refrigerators and stoves. These large items are meant for specific collection days but are frequently dumped at random, creating hazards and eyesores.

The "Ghost" Bins of the Boardwalk

Specific concerns were raised about the Phillipsburg boardwalk, where citizens have noted inconsistent cleanliness. Despite new waste bins already being on the island, they have not yet been deployed.

The delay, officials explained, stems from a bureaucratic gap: the new bins were not included in the current service tender.

"We had to wait until we could have a way to pay for the servicing of those bins," the Minister explained. "There’s a number of concrete slabs on the boardwalk which should have had bins and never did."

Discussions are now finalizing the locations and maintenance plans for these bins, which are expected to be included in the upcoming garbage tender.

Commercial Waste and the Phillipsburg Problem

Phillipsburg faces unique challenges as the only area where the government allows commercial waste collection. Shop owners are required to put out waste between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., but hauler delays often mean garbage sits out overnight, vulnerable to wind and rain.

"If they don't come before wind or rain, that garbage ends up on the boardwalk on the road," the Minister noted. The government is now reviewing the tender process to better "bridge the gap" and ensure the commercial hub remains presentable.

Smarter Enforcement and New Legislation

Perhaps the most significant hurdle is the lack of legal teeth to punish littering. Currently, the Ministry lacks the mechanism to issue fines directly. Any fine must be processed through the Public Prosecutor as a criminal offense, a route often clogged by higher-priority cases.

To combat this, a revision of the waste ordinance is underway. This update aims to introduce administrative enforcement, allowing officials to issue fines more easily without burdening the criminal justice system.

Furthermore, the government is looking to technology to solve its manpower shortage. The Department of Inspection plans to utilize drone technology to monitor illegal dumping and collection routes.

"It's about working smart and not hard," the Minister said, emphasizing that physical patrols of every street are impossible due to budget constraints. "You do a flyover every so often, and you get the data that you need."

As the current garbage tender nears its end, residents and business owners alike are looking to these new measures to restore consistency and cleanliness to the island’s streets.