Path Programme To Be Improved

 

Press Release From OPM - September 11, 2026   The Government is moving to strengthen the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) by making the system more responsive, functional and centred on the needs of vulnerable Jamaicans, while expanding support to students as they return to school. Speaking on OPM On Air, Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr., said the objective is to ensure that administrative processes do not prevent families who genuinely need assistance from receiving it. The Minister stated, “The goal is to create a more operational, functional system that allows the people to be placed ahead of the system.” Minister Charles Jr. noted that the Government recognizes the concerns raised by Jamaicans about PATH and is committed to improving the programme while maintaining the necessary checks to ensure that assistance reaches those who qualify. “The important message to Jamaicans listening is that we appreciate the concerns that have been raised around PATH. We've already done things to improve it, and we're going to continue to make sure that PATH provides for the persons who really should be on it the best service, said Minister Charles Jr. He explained that PATH uses a scoring system to make an initial determination of an applicant’s circumstances, followed by a social worker’s visit to verify the information. However, delays in the second stage can leave provisionally approved beneficiaries waiting for extended periods. The Ministry is therefore examining ways to allow persons who have been provisionally approved to access assistance while verification continues, with mechanisms in place to remove beneficiaries if subsequent investigations determine that they do not qualify. Minister Charles Jr. said the Ministry is also reviewing recertification requirements, which can result in beneficiaries being removed from PATH when information is not updated, including when children change schools or when the four-year recertification period expires. “That delay should never cause a Jamaican to suffer. And so we're looking at those two issues. We're doing what we have to do now to make sure that we can either, I don't want to say fully eliminate, because that's not the goal,” He stated. The Government is also focused on ensuring that compliance requirements do not unintentionally disadvantage children. While school attendance is an important condition of PATH, the Ministry is examining circumstances where children may face difficulties attending school because their parents are unable to provide adequate support. On back-to-school assistance, Minister Charles Jr. confirmed that more than 120,000 PATH beneficiaries have already received the $5,000 one-time back-to-school grant paid in August. Additional assistance includes a $40,000 grant for eligible students sitting CSEC examinations again, entering CAPE, pursuing diplomas and associate degrees, and other mid-level programmes. Students pursuing bachelor's degrees can also apply for a $150,000 grant through PATH at their institutions. The Minister underscored that these measures, alongside other rehabilitation and family support grants provided by the Ministry, form part of the Government’s wider effort to strengthen the social protection system and ensure that vulnerable families receive timely assistance. ______________________ _______________________ Click Here. ______________________ Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj  _________________ _________________ It's best to view this blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com. _________________ _________________

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Coopers Pen Residents Being Relocated

Press Release From The Office Of The Prime - September 11, 2026   The Government is moving to relocate the first group of residents from the irregular settlement at Cooper’s Pen as part of its commitment to assist. Speaking today, Friday, September 11, 2026, at a New Social Housing Handing Over Ceremony in Pedro District, St. Catherine, Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness underscored that significant progress is being made through collaboration among the Ministry of Housing, the Social Development Commission, the Ministry of Tourism through the Tourism Enhancement Fund, and the Jamaica Defence Force. The Prime Minister stated that the process includes surveying suitable land, identifying infrastructure requirements and exploring relocation subsidies for persons who may require assistance to secure alternative housing. “I am pleased to report that significant progress is being made on the part of the Ministry of Housing, the Social Development Commission, the Ministry of Tourism through the TEF, and the JDF. We are all working together to try to find a solution to this issue of the illegal irregular settlement of land and, where it becomes necessary, the resettlement and relocation of persons,” Prime Minister Holness said. The Prime Minister explained that Jamaica’s housing challenge is not solely related to access to financing, but also to the insufficient supply of physical housing structures that are affordable to low income households. Prime Minister Holness noted that Government studies have shown that many persons living in irregular settlements are contributors to the National Housing Trust and have the resources for a deposit, but are unable to find housing that matches their income levels. The Government is therefore increasing the supply of affordable housing by making land available for development, while also pursuing new housing solutions, including semi-permanent modular units. In this regard, Prime Minister Holness noted that more than 300 semi-permanent modular housing units are being deployed for persons vetted as having lost their homes during Hurricane Melissa. A total of approximately 2,500 units are available in Jamaica, with work underway to prepare the bases and accelerate their deployment. In the meantime, the Prime Minister reiterates that the Government remains committed to expanding housing solutions that are affordable, practical and responsive to the needs of Jamaicans. ______________________ _______________________ Click Here. ______________________ Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj  _________________ _________________ It's best to view this blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com. _________________ _________________ Subscribe Now! Subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service. Make a financial donation now. Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261. You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes. _____________________

Where Jamaica Is Coming From

Message From A Bark Di Trute Supporter

Hello Mr Derby, good morning. Listening Mrs. Shepherd from time to time. Time re history. You know, I am sorry; Mr. Perkins is no longer alive.

Hearing about this reparations thing. When the English came to Jamaica, were we a more established country? No. The English came to Jamaica and built hospitals, schools, railways, tram cars, etc., and provided a lot of other stuff. Did the English take up these things and leave after independence? No. Everything stayed for our people to continue to enjoy.

The politicians re their communist chat wrecked a lot of these things. I went to West Palm Beach a couple of years ago and went on their tram car was beautiful. So Miss Shepherd should also tell our Jamaicans where we are coming from and the politicians who created a mess re our history.

I am a Black Jamaican woman, and I mean Black, not a browning.

Thanks.

Death

Claff Browning, well known for providing lighting for various shows, wife has died. Claff provided lighting for the Tastee Talent Show for many years.

Click to watch the funeral.

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Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj 

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You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Time For A Church Land Audit

By Michael Spence

Michael Spence

Let’s put the long theological debates aside. For the approximately 1.5 million or more landless Jamaicans, Jesus, the Pope, and Christianity cannot just be an intellectual exercise. It must mean something on the ground.

A Short History Matters  

Catholicism first came to Jamaica with Columbus in 1494. It was the official religion under Spanish rule. That ended in 1655 when the British captured the island. For the next 130 years, it was illegal to practice Catholicism in Jamaica.  

The faith returned during the Haitian Revolution. Fleeing French planters came with their priests, capital, and enslaved people.

They were granted land and built churches and schools. The Archdiocese of Kingston was formally erected in 1837.

That colonial history is important because it explains how both the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches came to hold "significant parcels of land" in Jamaica. Much of it was never properly titled.

What We Don’t Know  

Nobody has published an exact figure for how much land the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches own. There is no comprehensive national register.

What we do know

1. Anglicans: The Diocese holds 80 or more parcels. Only about half are used for churches and schools. The rest are idle or have squatting issues.
2. Catholics: The Archdiocese operates 31 parishes and major institutions like Campion, St. George’s, Immaculate, and Holy Trinity. No public figure exists for the total acres out of Jamaica’s 2.7 million acres.
3. Tax: Lands used for worship, school, or cemetery are exempt. Idle parcels are not, and some churches now struggle to pay.

Churches are _often described_ as “second only to the Government” in land ownership. The Government holds 1,080,000 acres. But without an audit, that claim cannot be verified.

The Problem & The Solution  

The 3 biggest issues are untitled lands, idle lands being squatted on, and scattered records across parishes. 

As Jamaica tries to eliminate squatting and poverty, the churches must be part of the solution. Most other churches only have church plots; some even squat.

I propose a full church land audit. Then implement my "2 Square Solution" — granting small parcels to the landless. This is not about _freeness. This is about unlocking potential for per capita GDP growth. "Every human being has a right to a liveable space."

We cannot remain the 2nd poorest and one of the most murderous countries in the Caribbean.  

Churches, get on board. Land = Dignity. Land = Development. In Jesus’ Name.

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Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj 

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It's best to view this blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com.

_________________

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Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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