The Peoples’ National Party is promising a student loan moratorium to all nurses, teachers and members of the security forces while employed in the public sector.
The promises are in their Manifesto, which was released on their website last evening.
The PNP is also promising priority funding for health, education and security.
They say one percent of the total budget will be rotated yearly among these three portfolios.
The PNP says under their administration, the Student Loan Bureau will be renamed the Higher Education Lending Programme, HELP, to better reflect its change in approach.
HELP loan applicants will no longer need guarantors, and students will have the option of incorporating the application fees into their loan.
A HELP Trust will be established, operating similarly to the National Housing Trust.
The PNP is also promising to help new businesses by giving them tax breaks similar to what is enjoyed by businesses listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Meanwhile, Jamaicans younger than 30 will be able to apply for a one-year self-pay grant.
The PNP says this will provide a monthly income while they work on developing a viable business.
Business owners will also benefit from a $200 billion collateral fund, in order to help them access loans
$5-billion will be reserved for business owners under 30.
Turning to health care, the PNP is promising a national quintile insurance card to guarantee health coverage for all Jamaicans.
It also intends to establish one health clinic for each electoral division over the next ten years and implement a tax rebate for gym membership and healthy living.
The PNP is wooing members of the Constabulary Force with vehicular concessions for all, saying they won’t have to use public transportation anymore.
Police men and women are also promised full health insurance coverage, including grants for individual and family counselling.
The PNP says under its administration, JCF members killed in the line of duty will be covered by a 20 million dollar life insurance policy paid over to a beneficiary no later than 3 months after death.
JLP Reacts to PNP Manifesto
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party’s Public Relation’s Committee, Senator Matthew Samuda, says unlike the Opposition MPs, it’s clear that the governing party has been able to campaign on its track record.
He says the JLP’s campaign highlights tangible steps they’ve taken to ease the burdens being faced by the Jamaican people.
He says the campaign also outlining more plans to achieve that objective.
Additionally, Senator Samuda says it’s instructive that PNP candidates across the country have elected not to place Dr. Peter Phillips on their billboards.
Recent scientific polls have shown the governing JLP and Prime Minister Holness with a double digit lead over the PNP and Dr. Phillips.
However, Senator Samuda is urging JLP supporters not to be complacent, but to come out and vote on election day.
Matthew Samuda, Cabinet Minister and Chairman of the JLP’s Public Relations Committee.
