WILLEMSTAD - The Foundation for Child Welfare Institution Curaçao (GVI) has been "abandoned" by the Minister of Justice - specifically, the Pisas Cabinet consisting of the MFK and PNP parties - as it no longer receives government subsidies and has now been declared bankrupt.
Since its establishment in 1999, the foundation has been providing assistance and support to minors and their parents in challenging upbringing situations, which is a government responsibility. However, GVI relies entirely on the government as its sole source of funding.
The lawyer representing the foundation's board highlights that the current situation has arisen due to the consistent failure of the Minister of Justice to fulfill their obligation of providing adequate financing for the government tasks assigned to GVI. This issue extends to other government foundations as well.
GVI's debt has now reached over 583,000 guilders. In October 2022, Minister Shalten Hato (MFK) expressed their unwillingness or inability, due to the precarious state of public finances, to provide a one-time payment to address the deficits. The lawyer points out in the bankruptcy application that this financial situation has resulted from policy choices made by the ministry.
The bankruptcy declaration is a self-request initiated by the board members, including Rodrick Flocker (chairman), Caritza Schoot (treasurer), and Christina Albertus (commissioner). The bankruptcy judgment mentions that an oral hearing took place on May 17, 2023.