Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

‘We need to go see how people are living in the communities’- Hon Penn

- said this is necessary to ensure that persons who need assistance can receive it
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) says in order for persons who really need help to benefit from social assistance, community outreaches must be done by Social Development Department. Photo: GIS/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8), 2nd from right, on Talking Points with Violet Thomas-Gaul (2nd from left), Damion C. Grange (left) and Elvin Grant (right) on January 16, 2023. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8), 2nd from right, on Talking Points with Violet Thomas-Gaul (2nd from left), Damion C. Grange (left) and Elvin Grant (right) on January 16, 2023. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) says in order for persons who really need help to benefit from social assistance, community outreaches must be done by Social Development Department.

According to the Minister, in the past Social Development Department has received close to $400,000 to support persons who fall on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum; however, the Government of National Unity has allocated some $2.4M for the programme this year.

He said it is now up to Social Development Department to do verifications and to ensure those who are economically challenged can be assisted.

“One of the things I have said to them is you need to do more outreach. Not everyone who needs support might listen to the radio, might have access to the internet, might see all these promotions. We need to go out into the communities. We need to go see how people are living in the communities. How can we reach out to those persons that we know are struggling,” Hon Penn said on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on January 16, 2023.

Hon Penn supported stripping HoA of social assistance $$

Meanwhile, Hon Penn said he supported the stripping of the House of Assembly (HoA) of the ability to provide financial assistance via Elected Representatives. Many have criticised the move as a plan by the United Kingdom to render legislators powerless and cause constituents to lose faith in them.

“I supported the move.  I think it is a move that had to happen, I think persons need to be able to be clear on what the process is for them to get support and assistance, it needs to be clear, it needs to be transparent and we need to make sure it is not cumbersome, it’s easy for them to go to Social Development and say look I am falling behind, I have some financial difficulties, I am falling behind on my rent, I need some financial assistance, I am experiencing some medical issues …”

22 Responses to “‘We need to go see how people are living in the communities’- Hon Penn”

  • 8th District woman (17/01/2023, 16:42) Like (32) Dislike (12) Reply
    I hope this is his last term. We are tired of his smart man games when the truth is he does nothing.
  • The watchdog (17/01/2023, 16:48) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    He will never be premier
  • WOW (17/01/2023, 16:49) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    After all your years in politics only now you realize this issue. It is really election time.
  • Street reporter (17/01/2023, 16:51) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    This man is not a good role model. The word on the street on him is not good.
    • Spill the beans (17/01/2023, 19:37) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      We want to know the word on the street. Do tell us! Asking for a friend.
  • Strupppps (17/01/2023, 17:12) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a waste of time of a man that I elected but not again.
  • Different day, same ship (17/01/2023, 18:04) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Election rung deh carna. All of a sudden all ayuh concerned.
    We see u.
  • Representatives? (17/01/2023, 18:23) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Isnt going out into the community and meeting with constituents one of the primary jobs of every district rep? Come on man I know its election time but do your f@#$ing job.
  • unvaxx 4ever (17/01/2023, 19:01) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Smart move the Smurf, find a way to get in their rass house before election yes. check the vaccinated homes first because they dropping like flies all over.
  • help us (17/01/2023, 19:10) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Everybody here and abroad organs shutting down I don’t know what they did different in the last 2yrs. So sad
  • Xxx (17/01/2023, 19:22) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    Marlon means well he loves people but not ready yet for the big chair we need Ronnie
    • Pfft (18/01/2023, 09:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Oh, yeah…. Ronnie “the doer”…the guy who allowed the hospital project to go from $ 60 million to 100 million plus, without equipment or furnishing…
  • WO (17/01/2023, 21:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fix the dump
  • No fesr (17/01/2023, 22:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now is when You want to go ser how people living after all these years
  • vi (18/01/2023, 05:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    you got to be kinding me i guest u not seeing whats going on or u don't care people out there hurting
  • Hmm (18/01/2023, 07:54) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    .. and you people still votes him back in. Penn does noting but hand out money to a selected few in the community. His friends and loyal followers. Hopefully the majority see right through this man. Time for a change. Seriously ! No more politrix. He have been and is useless.
  • Truth (18/01/2023, 09:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    It doesn't matter how you sugar coat it, giving Social Development the entire responsibility was a lazy and stupid move. Now the same people you were too lazy to help out, you will be in their homes begging for votes in a few weeks.
  • Boo (18/01/2023, 11:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Overhaul Social Development. End of. The programs need to be defined. It should not have to wait for a committee to meet to decide what happens. Define the programs and the resources and get social workers to actually work in the communities.
  • yea right (18/01/2023, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He wants to go into the
  • oh boy (19/01/2023, 06:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    After the hurricane you should have seen that and know that also you should have been aware who was helping in the community and who get the most help not helping. You should have known this already
  • shake (21/01/2023, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its going to be a shake up. Watch and you will see but truth be told the unity government save this territory be careful with who you elect this next season. We need eagles eyes to see what is really happening through all the crookedness.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.