Friday was Budget Day in the House of Representatives - and while the great, long speech dominated the parliamentary activity - it was also the first house Meeting since elections and so eleven first time members got a chance to cut their teeth - so to speak.
The opposition newbies acquitted themselves fairly well: one raised a matter of pressing public interest, another quoted the bible, and one of them seemed to have gotten stage fright.
We start with Oscar Requena who brought to light the issue of June floods in his area of Toledo West - where relief has not been forthcoming:..
Hon. Oscar Requena - PUP, Toledo West
"The impact of the flood resulted in families losing plantations that had just been planted. Families also lost rice fields, cacao fields, and livestock. Mr. Speaker, the leaders of these communities called upon NEMO to inform them of the situation. NEMO responded; of course, they could not access the communities because of the flood. And 2 days after, the committee that assesses the damages was there. The honorable member from Toledo East and I visited those communities. Of course, the people who were affected - and the leaders expected that damage assessment committee would have visited the fields to assess the extent of the damage. But low and behold Mr. Speaker, the people who arrived there only spoke to the Alcalde, and did not visit the fields. Mr. Speaker, it has 17 days since this incident and the people of these communities have not gotten any response in the form of any relief coming to them. It appears that when other areas of the country are affected, there is a quick response, and I say this in the context of last year, when the community of Golden Stream was severely affected by a very high flood. That was the same time that the Belize Rural North area was also affected. And of course, we saw that help was provided to the people in that area. But, the people of Golden Stream, Mr. Speaker, up to today 15 families that were affected, did not receive any kind of support."
Prime Minister Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"I am certainly prepared to accept that he is speaking in good faith. I will, therefore, have a word with the NEMO minister; ask him to get in touch with the member, so that they can talk about this list of complaints. I would just make this point, though. The member said that once when there were difficulties in the Belize Rural North constituency; help arrived with a degree of alacrity. Well, Mr. Member, to some extent, that is due to the absolute to hard work, and to looking after his people, that is universally acknowledged to be present in the representative for the Belize Rural North constituency. He came to Belmopan on every occasion that there's been a problem, to press the case of his people, and to ensure that they get the relief that is necessary. My suggestion to you, sir, is that you do the same. I believe that you are off to a good start. I commend you for raising the problems this afternoon. I want to suggest to you that, while I have already promised to have the NEMO minister get in touch with you. Please, also if you can be proactive, and let this thing slide."
And while the Prime Minister heard that request - there was no such indulgence for the PUP member for Cayo south Julius Espat. He accused the government of bypassing the PUP's four representatives in the south and giving authority to divvy up lands to a UDP divisional caretaker.
In so doing he quoted both the Prime Minister and the Holy Bible - to varying effect. Here's how that went:..
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP, Cayo South
"If the Government continues to disrespect us, then they are setting an example of not accepting the law, of not abiding by the law, and of not abiding by the constitution. What kind of example are they showing to the populace of Belize? And that is important because our country is in dire straits right now situation. Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote the Prime Minister's speech on March 21, 2012. 'The Opposition's strong general elections showing demonstrates that we're are a country that is divided almost down the middle. In such circumstances, the Government must, and will act on the basis that the nation's large minority is to be respected, both as to its rights and as to its entitlement.' And I repeat, it's a quote from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has come to this house, and in various public areas, has said to the people of Belize that he has never uttered a lie. Well, this is one time, Hon. Member from Queen Square, that we will hold you to your word. The people on the ground will hold you to your word. The people of Belize will hold you to your word. Mr. Speaker, I will close by quoting from the Bible. And it said - Romans - and when I speak of disrespect, Mr. Speaker, I am also speaking when they are disrespecting the churches. Romans 13, verse 7 says, 'Render, therefore, to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.' Thank you, sir."
Hon. Patrick Faber - UDP, Collet Division
"Mr. Speaker, I like the fact that he is quoting from the Bible, and that he used that particular piece of scripture. You must give due to whom that due belongs. And let me tell you that while it was your party - granted you were not there - was in power for 10
years, they never gave the members of then-opposition, the United Democratic Party, that kind of support at all. In fact, the things that you enjoy now, were put in place by this United Democratic Party Government. But, you will agree, that indeed, it is the case that every single child from your constituency receives the $300 subsidy, courtesy of this Prime Minister, and this UDP Government. Is it, or is not so? Say it ain't so, brother."
And while Espat got Patrick Faber out of his seat, the member for Dangriga Ivan Ramos raised the PM. He wanted to talk about the Hummingbird Highway - but when he got caught shoe-gazing - he was sharply called to attention. Here's how that went:..
Hon. Ivan Ramos - PUP Dangriga
"I bring to this House, the concern...."
Prime Minister Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I don't want to be unkind, but ignorance is not a proof of virtue. Everybody was presented with a copy of the standing orders. And it is the duty of all members - but especially new members - to familiarize themselves with the standing orders. If the member for Dangriga had done so, he would have known that it is not proper for him to read a speech on the adjournment. There is a way - but that is what I am saying, sir. Ignorance is not proof of virtue."
Hon. Ivan Ramos
"I am not reading."
Speaker of the House of Representatives
"No, you can't read on the adjournment, Member for Dangriga."
Hon. Ivan Ramos
"The issue that I want to bring up to this Honorable House, is the state of the Hummingbird Highway, and the Stann Creek Valley Road. For some time now, it continues to deteriorate. We're concerned, and what I want to say is that I believe that if we act now - and we ought to act now - that this will help us then, to preserve this very important national asset. It cannot continue. This is too important for industries in the area, and traffic, on a daily basis."
Hon. Santiago Castillo - Minister of State with Responsibility for Economic Development
"I would like to inform the Honorable Member from Dangriga that there is a 15 million-dollar project through the Ministry of Economic Development to rehabilitate the Hummingbird Highway."
All the new members will have their chance to shine in the budget debated which will take place next week Wednesday and Thursday.
