Prime Minister John Briceño has publicly addressed growing concerns regarding the unequal distribution of constituency development funds across Belize’s electoral districts. The controversy emerged after social activist Jerry Enriquez filed a freedom of information request seeking transparency in fund allocation and expenditure documentation.
The disclosure revealed that Briceño’s Orange Walk Central constituency receives the highest monthly allocation despite not being among the country’s largest voting districts. The Prime Minister explained that constituencies are categorized into three distinct tiers based solely on voter population metrics, with funding proportional to registered voter numbers.
Briceño emphasized the administration’s strict accountability protocols, stating that representatives must submit detailed receipts and spending reports before receiving subsequent allocations. He acknowledged that this requirement has caused dissatisfaction among some area representatives whose payments were withheld pending proper documentation.
Regarding his constituency’s elevated funding, the Prime Minister clarified that the additional resources address nationwide demands on his office, supporting initiatives spanning sports, education, and healthcare across multiple regions including Toledo and Belize City. He contrasted the current system with the previous administration’s approach, noting that opposition constituencies now receive funding whereas they previously received nothing.
On the delayed release of expenditure receipts, Briceño cited the overwhelming volume of documentation involving tens of thousands of individual receipts. While defending the administrative challenge, he extended an invitation for Enriquez to personally review the comprehensive records maintained by Cabinet Secretary offices.
The Prime Minister maintains that the allocation system reflects objective voter demographics rather than political favoritism, though transparency advocates continue calling for enhanced disclosure mechanisms regarding public fund distribution and utilization.