PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, and the Department of Communication (DCOMM), are urging motorists not to “Drink and Drive, and Drive Sober” for the Easter holiday weekend and upcoming Carnival festivities.

There will be lots to eat and drink this Easter holiday weekend and for the upcoming Carnival festivities. When tipsy, let your designated driver take the wheel or call a taxi.

The emphasis is on keeping everyone driving on our roads safe this festive season.

CPS advises members of the community to check family and friends before they get behind the steering wheel of a car, especially after they have had a few drinks.

Every driver can reduce tragedy on the country’s roads.  Be responsible, select a designated driver if you plan to have a couple of drinks with family or friends.

During this Easter holiday extended weekend and upcoming Carnival festivities, drive sober! Don’t drink and drive, because drunk-driving can result in a serious injury or even worse, death.

Make sure everyone has a sober ride home if you’re hosting an Easter holiday gathering and attending Carnival events.  Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if that person has been drinking. Have a designated driver.

Don’t speed up this holiday weekend or during Carnival festivities!  Always wear your seat belt. It’s your best defense against impaired drivers. Be responsible, drive safely.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) would like to inform the general public that its operations at the landfills have been adjusted due to the upcoming Easter holiday weekend.
Good Friday
Please be aware of the change of hours for the Main/Irma Landfill on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Regular operational hours will return to normal on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Easter Sunday
Please be aware of the change of hours for the Main/Irma Landfill on Sunday, April 20, 2025, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Easter Monday
Please be aware of the change of hours for the Main/Irma Landfill on Monday, April 21, 2025, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Regular operational hours will return to normal on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are the focus of the Collective Preventive Service’s (CPS) annual calendar of health observances for April. CPS reminds and encourages the community to take a proactive approach to preventing STIs.

Sexually Transmitted Infections are real and are present.  STIs do not discriminate. Individuals should also be well informed by educating themselves about STIs to make wise decisions.

STIs are infections that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact.  STIs are infections that are likely to be transmitted while having unprotected sex.  

If you may have been exposed to an STI or if you have ever had unprotected (without a condom) sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with someone whose status you don't know, consult your general practitioner, and get tested.

There are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

The most common conditions they cause are gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, syphilis, trichomoniasis, chancroid, genital herpes, genital warts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, hepatitis B infection and cancer.

Practicing safer sex is important as it decreases the chances of transmitting sexual infections.  Safer sex means taking positive action to lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections. You can lower your risk of becoming infected with an STI by using a (male or female) condom the right way every time you have sex.

Unsafe sex results in unplanned consequences. Be responsible for your health and your partner’s by making an informed choice.

For STI information you can also contact your general practitioner and the Sint Maarten AIDS Foundation.  Enjoy life, be well informed, and get yourself tested and know your status!

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Permanent Committee of Petitions (CP) will be meeting on April 15, 2025.  

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 10.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of LICCOM, Windward Roads and also Mr. L. La Paix will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Discussion with the submitters of the petition: A call for not permitting our economy and community to get weakened, but to strengthen it, and other stakeholders (IS/244/2024-2025 dated November 5, 2024 and IS/649/2024-2025 dated February 26, 2025)

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 TV 15, 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