WILLEMSTAD – The Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP) has firmly declined an invitation from Curaçao’s Minister Plenipotentiary to attend the celebration of Dia di Himno i Bandera (National Anthem and Flag Day) in the Netherlands on June 29. The party called the planned trip a “costly and unnecessary” use of public funds.  

In a letter to Parliament President Fergino Brownbill, PNP faction leader Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia stated that the party will not take part in the national holiday celebration abroad. According to the PNP, Dia di Bandera should be celebrated at Brionplein in Willemstad, among the people of Curaçao.  

“There is nothing more heartwarming and patriotic than celebrating Dia di Bandera with the people at Brionplein,” Larmonie said. The party noted that since the first celebration in 1984, the Curaçaoan community has gathered there annually to express its national pride and unity.  

The PNP criticized the use of public funds to send Members of Parliament to the Netherlands, arguing that such resources should be invested in local neighborhoods and community development on the island. “Traveling to the Netherlands with public money to celebrate Dia di Bandera, instead of investing that in our communities, is something we cannot support,” the letter stated.  

While the party acknowledged the right of other MPs to make their own decisions, it emphasized that the PNP sees its role as strengthening patriotic values on the island itself. As a result, the PNP caucus will not be attending the celebration in the Netherlands.