The revenue and appropriations bill - it's the most important event of the parliamentary year - basically because it sees parliament at the pinnacle of its powers - telling the people it represents how it plans to spend their money in the upcoming fiscal year.
Of course, that's the ideal: in reality it's a whole lot of political showboating. And even more so this year with the PUP chest thumping over Wednesday;s victory at the polls.
And in case you missed that - this year's budget presentation was actually named, "StaYing on Track":
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"It was that just two days ago the Belizean people in our nine cities and towns went to the polls and said with a clear voice that WE wah STAY PAN TRACK!"
In a triumphalist presentation - and with newly minted councilors and mayors crowding thew gallery - the Prime Minister managed to repeat his campaign slogan only three times - and, how could he resist, coming off a commanding victory in municipal elections two days earlier?
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"For sure 61 of 67 seats is a reaffirmation of #PlanBelize."
But down to the reason they lost some seats - the PM addressed inflation and Belizean's shrinking purchasing power:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"The inescapable fact is that domestic purchasing power has been eroded by an increase in international prices. This is an issue that Cabinet has grappled with constantly"
"I have listened to the anguish of Belizeans on this issue and I understand their frustration. The dollar is just not stretching the way it used to. But this is not the fault of Government"
"A recent in-depth analysis commissioned by Government shows that three-quarters of the price increases Belizeans endure comes from imports.For example, Government has no control over the cost of flour, or fertilizer, or a barrel of petroleum, or steel for construction.Neither do we have control over the cost of shipping containers to Belize."
"What we have done to combat inflation is to put more money in the pockets of hourly wage workers. We have cracked down on price-gouging by greedy merchants.For example, as recently as the 28th of February, 35 businesses in San Pedro and Caye Caulker were handed citations by the Supplies Control Unit for pricing violations."
"Cabinet and I will continue to take every step possible to control the erosion of the purchasing power of the Belize dollar."
"Let me emphasize at the outset, that once again, as has been the case for the last three National Budgets, THERE ARE NO NEW TAXES in this Budget."
The Prime Minister provided a revealing breakdown of public expenditure to the dollar level:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"30 cents of every dollar will be for the wages of public officers,7 cents of every dollar for public officers pensions,18 cents of every dollar for operational costs to government, such as utilities and transportation,7 cents for interest on loans; And the remaining 27 cents for capital expenditures which includes the funding of all projects and programs undertaken by Government."
"In effect, 73 cents of every dollar simply keep the machinery of governance running, leaving 27 cents of every dollar for programs and projects."
The Prime. Minister also zoned in on spending in the health sector:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"So many massive investments are being made across the public health care system.These investments include, for example, CABEI's funding of a modernization assessment of hospitals in Punta Gorda, Orange Walk Town and Belize City."
"And this year, the NHI Committee proposes expanding the program to the North Side of Belize City where an estimated 65,000 citizens will be eligible for services under the NHI care shield."
"And we recommit, that early next year, because of the 12 million dollars in profits from Fu We Boledo, the entire Cayo District will see the roll out of NHI thanks to this PUP Administration."
With that emphatic boast - the PM turned to another flagship program: school feeding:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Government's National Healthy Start Feeding Programme is doing wonders in reducing hunger in the classrooms.Along with its donor partners, especially Taiwan, the National Healthy Start Feeding Programme caters healthy meals for 4,000 primary school students from 35 schools and 2,967 secondary school students from 9 schools.These figures equal an investment of around $20,000.00 per day in meals."
"The number of beneficiaries keep increasing throughout the year, and it is expected that by the end of the academic year, at least 50 primary schools, will be a part of the program."
And, in concluding, the PM made some concessions to humility:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"No government is perfect, none gets everything perfect.There will be setbacks and flaws, but this Administration, over the last three years of tireless work, has rekindled hope in our people.".
"This Administration has put the shine back on this Jewel, a Jewel that had been stained and smeared by those who preceded us."
