Pieters(PPA) questions government priorities over Afl. 1.4 million community centre shortfall

ORANJESTAD — Parliamentarian Eduard Pieters (PPA) is questioning the government’s priorities after a meeting with CEDE Aruba and community centre representatives highlighted a need for Afl. 1.4 million to maintain and develop their services.

According to Pieters, the meeting also indicated greater certainty about some funding for the next five years. However, he recalled that a PPA amendment proposing Afl. 5 million for community centres during the 2025 supplementary budget debate failed to secure sufficient support. The proposal covered buildings, programmes and staff. “A budget reflects political priorities. The government decides where public money goes and where it does not,” Pieters said.

He stressed that community centres provide after-school activities, social contact for older adults and early detection of family problems. He warned that insufficient investment in prevention could lead to greater costs when social problems become crises.

Pieters called for cooperation across party lines. “If something benefits Aruba, we should be able to support it, regardless of who proposed the idea,” he concluded.