For years, Punta Gorda residents have been advocating for the Border Management Authority to extend its services to weekends, facilitating the flow of visitors in and out of the country. On Tuesday, November 26th, Cabinet approved the extension of operating hours to include weekends at the Punta Gorda port of entry. This long-awaited change is...
For years, the Main Street leading into Punta Gorda had been an eyesore, causing frustration for both locals and visitors. In the lead-up to the 19th of November celebrations, the PNP Leader publicly urged the area representative to address the street’s condition. In response to this call, the area representative took action, and today, the...
November is when Punta Gorda sees its highest influx of visitors from out of town, making first impressions more important than ever. With the highly anticipated Battle of the Drums taking place this weekend, the event draws the largest crowd to PG. However, the town’s Main Street is in poor condition—one of the worst in...
In his Independence Day address for Toledo East, the area representative stated that rehabilitation work on Punta Gorda Central Park would commence within a few weeks as part of the ongoing development initiatives for Punta Gorda Town. However, over a month has passed, and there has been no noticeable progress on-site.
For over a decade, the People’s National Party and other community groups have raised concerns about the open waste disposal site in the Water Hole area. Recently, UB students visited the site to witness the severity of the issue firsthand. Many residents remain unaware of the extent of the problem, but it’s not only severe—it...
November is one of the biggest months in Punta Gorda, as it marks the time for Garifuna celebrations. These festivities bring significant economic benefits to Toledo, yet in recent years, these gains have been reduced due to added fees at the border crossings, as well as overtime charges for customs and immigration officers. Today, the...
The Battle of the Drums Garifuna Celebration is just two weeks away, and many visitors are eagerly anticipating spending time and enjoying the festivities in Punta Gorda Town. Annually, this is one of the major events that draws large crowds to Punta Gorda. However, the entrance to the town continues to deteriorate, and the Front...
The first-ever Primary School Battle of the Drum took place on Friday, November 1st, at the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex. This event provided an opportunity for primary school students to showcase their talents in drumming, singing, and dancing. It also created a space for children to interact within a culturally rich environment. Nine primary schools...
Residents have long raised concerns about traffic within the town limits, citing reckless driving and unlicensed motorcyclists as significant issues. Many have voiced these complaints at town meetings and in discussions with the Commissioner of Police. Reports indicate that some drivers engage in reckless behavior, while motorcyclists are often found riding without a valid driver’s...
October 23rd and 24th, the Minister of Natural Resources and his team of 45 arrived in Punta Gorda for a two-day land clinic. The first day of the clinic was designated for residents of Barranco, Eldridge, Forest Home, Cattle Landing, and Punta Gorda to receive assistance with challenges they face in the process of obtaining...
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is raising strong objections to the proposed acquisition of Speednet by Belize Telemedia Limited, warning that the deal, if allowed to proceed, could threaten jobs, competition, and freedom of expression. The NTUCB says the process is deeply flawed, lacks transparency, and may violate the Telecommunications Act, prompting the...
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for an immediate halt to any board action by Belize Telemedia Limited on the proposed acquisition of Speednet, insisting that meaningful consultation must take place first. In a statement issued Monday, January 26th, the BCCI urged the Government of Belize, as BTL’s controlling shareholder, to intervene,...
An effort to protect Belize’s coastline and promote marine awareness took place this past weekend, as the Hopeville and Cattle Landing Fisherfolk Group hosted a coastal clean-up under its Deep Water Assistance Project. The initiative aims to bring community members together to reduce plastic waste and safeguard the marine environment for future generations. Support for...
The tourism season is officially underway, and across the country tourism activity is on the rise, according to the Belize Tourism Board. However, here in Punta Gorda, a different picture is emerging. Despite the increase in visitor arrivals, two major restaurants in Punta Gorda have recently closed their doors, raising concerns and questions among residents....
San Jose is one of the most remote villages in the country and is home to hundreds of students who rely on internet access for education services. For more than five years, residents of San Jose Village have been promised reliable internet service. After years of waiting, a telecommunications tower has now been installed. However,...
