And we also asked Minister Marin whether he was satisfied with his ministry's budget. Though he wouldn't say no to a few extra dollars, he explained that the funds they received will be used for repairing and renovating the facilities for the BDF and the Coast Guard.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Defense
"Is any minister satisfied with his budget? Yes, we got some extra support in particular for providing for the food and sundries for the soldiers which we're relieved. We are trying our best to ensure that the basics for the soldiers is what we can tend to so we are pleased with that. We also have some funds that we will continue to do much repairs, in particular Belizario and the other camps as well, all over the, throughout the country, the different camps, they all need repairs so that's a lot of issues that will be occurring right now. Even in the Coast Guard, we need some areas to be repaired, like in Consejo base where the sailors are temporary housed, so we still need more resources but we're pleased that we're able to do a little bit more this year than we had in the previous years."
And he also added that they will be completing the BDF Forward Operating Base at Sarstoon that had become a victim to erosion.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Defense
"Now that the budget will hopefully pass after the Senate Meeting, we'll be able to start our urgent repairs for it. We had to pull back, I think people understood, we can't have the soldiers and sailors manning it in that unsafe environment but we do have our, we still have our presence out there but nothing like having a proper base, a safe base for the military to be able to operate our there on the border."
Courtney Menzies:
"You have a timeline for when the base will be fully repaired?"
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Defense
"I believe it will take about six months for it to be fully ready, up and coming."
