Plan Belize 2.0 - it's the PUP's pitch to voters for the next 5 years.. It promises a minimum wage increase, solar energy, NHI rollouts and more. And it was launched last night at the Falcon Field in San Ignacio.
It was a grand event with the Cayo area reps making presentations about the work that the PUP has done, followed by the DPM, who discussed the first version of the manifesto. It culminated in the Prime Minister announcing the plans they have from now until 2030.
Courtney Menzies has this story.
The first edition of Plan Belize was launched back in 2020 and on PUP's website, it says the manifesto is only a 5 year plan. That contradicts what the prime minister and several of his ministers have said since then: that Plan Belize is a long term project.
Regardless, in the first version - which was 36 pages long - there were promises of 4,000 police officers, 10,000 newly built homes, 50,000 jobs, free education from pre-school to 6th form, and plenty more.
And over the last five years, there have been some promises that were fully realized, such as raising the minimum wage to $5, and disbanding - or re-branding - the GSU. A couple hundred homes have been built, and there are a few schools that do enjoy free education. There have also been multiple police recruit intakes but the total number is less than 2,500.
But despite Plan Belize version 1 not filling all its promises, Plan Belize 2.0 was launched last night, with the PUP in earnest self-congratulation:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We are worthy not because the UDP are so divided that they cannot function as one body. Not because they have lost their way and have abandoned their party faithful. Not because they have failed in their duty to this nation but because this united PUP team 31 did as promised. We delivered on Plan Belize and we are ready to deliver Plan Belize 2.0 for all Belizeans."
Since the launch was held in Cayo, Briceno surprised the residents with some good news before announcing what the country can expect if they are voted into another term.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I am pleased to announce that right here in San Ignacio, effective next school year, Sacred Heart College will be the next school to enjoy free education from first form to fourth form."
"Under Plan Belize 2.0, we will complete the rollout of NHI including right here in the Cayo District."
"We will improve energy security with massive investment in solar energy. We wil facilitate the modernization of the Philip Goldson International Airport. We will transform the Port of Belize that we the Belizeans now own. We will rehabilitate and update the entire George Price Highway. And in our second term, we will work with the caneros to modernize the sugar industry and expand investment in non-traditional agro products. Under Plan Belize 2.0, we will build hospitals in San Pedro, Belmopan, and Punta Gorda. And we will defend our territory and we will win at the ICJ."
"Yes, we will raise the minimum wage again so that we can continue the fight against poverty by helping to lower the cost of living."
"We will pass laws to make GST weekends permanent for Christmas and for back to school."
And while there isn't a detailed document of this version as yet, it seems version 1 had a lot more promises - some that the public are still waiting to see. For example, Plan Belize promised to register political parties, and to introduce campaign finance reform legislation. It also promised to modernize policing with the use of drones and fully computerized police stations. There was supposed to be the establishment of a Border Protection Force to defend Belize's territory in the Chiquibul Forest, as well as an independent police complaint board.
And there were also smaller promises that never saw the light of day, like a national aquarium and an observation deck at the Baron Bliss Lighthouse.
But if you ask the PM, Plan Belize was delivered, and the 2.0 version will be even better.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Are you ready Cayo? Are you ready for the sweep? We want six. How much? How much? That's right, six. And most important ladies and gentlemen, we have you, soldiers of the revolution. Together, we are the PUP and just as we delivered on Plan Belize, we are going to deliver on Plan Belize 2.0."
Plan Belize 2.0 also promises more land clinics, 2 bedroom starter homes, and advanced technology to fight crime.
