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January 31,
2010 Belize's Daily- 7 Days a Week |
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BDF Turns 32
In most Caribbean countries, armies were
formed after
Independence. But, in this regard, Belize’s military history is unique.
Because of the threat from Guatemala, the Belize Defence Force was
formed in 1978, three years before independence. That force took over
from the Home Guard, which succeeded the British Honduras Volunteer
Guard which dates back history tells us, to the early 1800’s and at
that time, the threat was from Spain, not Guatemala. So Belize has a
long if not storied history of at least an organized militia. But the
modern history is all about the BDF the home grown fighting force which
has to defend everything from your street corner in the city, to
the far corners of the Chiquibul Forest. It’s a demanding job for a
small force but today on their 32nd. Anniversary - they celebrated
their competency and capacity. I was there.
Brig. Gen. Dario Tapia, Commander - BDF We are strong, determined, and dedicated to serving our country. Belize has one of the smallest armies in the world with under a thousand soldiers who stand shoulder to shoulder to defend the country. Thirty two years ago on this day the Belize Defence Force was established and while the army has yet to go into combat, their men and women have been on a continued state of readiness. The weapons are not limited to firearms as this group of soldiers demonstrated their dexterity with martial arts. The taekwendo display and parade were held to commemorate the BDF’s anniversary attended by dignitaries and the soldiers’ families. According to Brigadier General Dario Tapia, in the past three decades, the BDF has pushed forward in its duty to protect and serve and that includes their primary function to patrol our borders. 
Brig. Gen. Dario Tapia,
But also the Defense Act charters us to do other things like supporting the other civil authorities in maintaining of law and order and any other tasks that is assigned to us. Unfortunately we would love to have the entire force patrolling the border but because the Defense Act mandates us to do these other things and the current challenges that the police faces, we find ourselves supporting the police more and more and as soon as possible if the police can hold their own then we will certainly dedicate more of ourselves to the border. Over the years we have added some additional observation posts along the border and there is more in the making because we do need the presence of the force along the border because the minute we create that vacuum by not being present along the border then we know what occurs, people come in and do illegal settlements, and farming. We want to do it but I am cognizant as well that we need to support the police in this high times of crime and so I have to heed to the Ministry’s request to support the police. And so it has been a long way since the making of the force and I think as slowly, every year we try to improve the force and that is what we are doing. The ceremony included award of certificates and medals to those officers and soldiers who have twenty two years of distinguished service and good conduct. The Minister of National Security and Defence Carlos Perdomo also commended the force for its dedication. 
Hon. Carlos Perdomo. Minister of
National Security
In its recent anti-narcotic efforts, the discovery and destruction of more than 80,000 marijuana plants by the BDF in January alone will help the government’s quest to lower the incidence of drug usage among the population and in particular among our youth. I must make it clear that I am indeed very pleased by this effort of all our law enforcement agencies and in particular with the work of the BDF. The Minister reminded the BDF that they have been entrusted with the great responsibility to keep the country safe and maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Hon. Carlos Perdomo, You men and women have also answered many calls to humanitarian needs of our people. Your countless assistance to the people of Belize in natural disasters and now with the deployment of officers to Haiti of the Caribbean Disaster Response Unit is a testament of the force that is willing and able to advance regional peace, stability and prosperity. The United States Military received special mention for its role in assisting Belize’s army. Hon. Carlos Perdomo. At this time we must also acknowledge and thank our international partners from all over the world but in particular I would like to mention the US Military Liaison Officer for their contribution to the development of the Light Engineering Company, the Special Boat Unit, and the Belize Special Assignment Group. Newer units, specialized units, that are always involved in operational work and in humanitarian efforts. The Belize Defence Force was established in 1978. CH7 Belize Conservation NGO
Receives
Rapid Response Facility
Grant in Support of the Belize Barrier Reef System
The latest World Heritage site to
benefit from the Rapid Response Facility (RRF)
is the Belize Barrier Reef
System
(BBRS). Recognized in large part for its extensive coral reef and
mangrove ecosystems, this property is particularly vulnerable to
siltation of the clear tropical waters on which it depends.
The RRF was approached by the Ya'axché Conservation Trust (YCT), reporting that unauthorized prospection work for a possible hydro-electric dam had been carried out in a remote portion of the Bladen Nature Reserve, a coastal forest protected area. If completed, the dam could be a serious source of sediment leading to the siltation of the BBRS waters. Because of the remoteness of the area, YCT claimed there was a risk that further uncontrolled work by the dam proponent could result in a de facto dam construction project having evaded necessary laws and regulations. YCT, with the participation of the Belizean Forest Department, proposed to carry out immediate monitoring outings in the area to ensure that activities had ceased, compelling the proponent to comply with existing laws and regulations. YCT also proposed to work with international experts and local communities to assess the potential environmental and social impacts of the dam. Government authorities would be partners, and would be kept informed on progress. The RRF agreed to support this request and the work proposed is now being carried out. The Rapid Response Facility is an emergency small grant programme that provides rapid support to allow immediate responses to major threats to wildlife conservation, primarily in UNESCO natural World Heritage sites. The RRF is financially supported by the United Nations Foundation, the Arcadia Land Trust and Jet Tours. The BBRS was inscribed onto the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2009 due to development pressures contributing to the destruction of mangrove islands. The World Heritage Centre and the Belizean Authorities are working together to find long lasting solutions to these management challenges. UNESCO Great Escape Sinks
Tonight 7News has confirmed that
the 85 foot luxury yacht The Great Escape which has been bobbing on
the reef near Hunting Caye since it ran aground on November 30th sunk
today and only about 2 to 3 feet of the vessel is visible.
The worrying news tonight is that some reports are that the 800 gallons of fuels and 50 gallons of lube is now slowly leaking into the ocean. A team from the port authority and the department of environment rushed to the scene around midday to assess the situation. Chief Environmental Officer Martin Allegria told us a short while ago that his team on the ground say that even though the vessel has sunken and it is falling apart, the fuel is in a secured container which is still intact. He says they have made arrangements to safely remove the fuel container tomorrow with facilities from the Big Creek Port. The vessel’s captain and owner Albert Barscroft ran aground on November 30th. He left the country because he had a heart attack and since then the Department of Environment has been trying to raise the necessary funds to move the vessel. CH7 MOE's 2-year
Report Card
Adolph Lucas The
Ministry of Education (MOE) held a conference at the new ITVET
campus
on Freetown road on Thursday, January 28, with participation from all
the stakeholders in education in the country.
Stakeholdes attending were briefed on the works of the Ministry of Education for the last two years and the work it plans to accomplish.  (L-r) Allen Gennity, Hon. Patrick Faber and Mrs. Carol Babb. According
to the CEO in the Ministry, David Leacock, they view the students as
clients in the organizational structure, and the Ministry
is serving clients whose numbers are increasing daily.
To deal with this growth, Minister of Education Patrick Faber stated that the Ministry of Education has built more schools in the country and has added classrooms to others. We have been assisting schools to increase their education levels Faber said, recounting some of the achievements of his ministry: keeping more young people in schools for more years of learning, implementing direct subsidies to needy students, refurbishing Lynam College, adding more teachers, building a new school for Mahogany Heights, and helping to pay the tuition fees for 150 adults who are going back to high school at Gwen Lizarr-aga’s evening division. Minister Faber calculated that the government has spent $181 million on education during 2008 an 2009. The goal of his Ministry he said, is to provide quality, relevance equality and efficiency. He listed some plans for the Ministry of Education: 1) To establish a Teachers’ Service Commission, (2) to establish a nationwide feeding program, (3) To refurbish the old Venus building on Magazine road, turning it into an ITVET center to provide a high school equivalent opportunity (4) to establish a school inspectorate, to supervise the work of teachers. (5) to provide an alternative to physical discipline in schools (6) To invest in teacher education and professional development (7) To introduce an Education and Training Bill which should reach the House on February 19, (8)To draft an amalgamation policy for small rural schools for quality and efficiency (9) Relocating the Ministry of Education central services to the CET compound on St.Thomas/ St.Joseph street. The Ministry of education is also planning to have a Hall of Fame for teachers who have served more than 25 years. Minister Faber told education stakeholders that the Ministry of has spent $8.6 million dollars in scholarships, and that 1,122 students are on scholarship and 2,914 more are receiving financial grants at the University of Belize. The Ministry of Education’s mission is to create an education system that promotes equality, ensures access and demands quality. This is in keeping with the Government’s national vision for a Belize that is socially just, peaceful, prosperous and globally competitive. Reporter NOTICES
&
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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© SAN PEDRO DAILY, PO Box 45, San Pedro Town, Belize. Inquiries to editor@sanpedrodaily.com |
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