The president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, maintains that an “equitable” criterion has prevailed in the distribution of 16 million euros in direct aid to the island’s municipalities. He blames “a Canarian Coalition campaign” for the controversy that has arisen, including a front of rebel mayors. He describes as “skewed” the “reductionist” reading of an island budget that amounts to more than 863 million.
Martín remembers that “when he was mayor (in Guía de Isora) I had to assume that audiences were held in similar municipalities and they denied it to us. The Cabildo invested in swimming pools, but not for my municipality. And he argues: “When I became president I wanted to change that. That it did not happen in any municipality on the island. Do not discriminate because you belong to one political party or another. ”
Martín emphasizes that “before, when some city councils said that we did not agree, we were told that either we would accept it or we would only keep the cooperation fund and we would leave any other Cabildo program.” In contrast, he indicates, “today the programs are made with an insular vision, without impositions.
The insular president relates what has been done from the government team in these two years in office. Thus, he values, “we have implemented Employment Plans for the entire Island, not according to what I please, but by agreeing with all the municipalities.” In addition, he continues, “we have launched a plan to help Social Services in all municipalities.” Also “it has been agreed with the municipalities, with transparency and without leaving anyone out.”
It highlights “a new cooperation Plan of 3.3 million euros to finance works in municipalities with less than 20,000 inhabitants.” Sentence: “Most of the beneficiaries are not governed by the PSOE.” And he insists that “money has to be distributed according to needs and not political colors.” In Pedro Martín’s opinion, “CC has launched a strategy to delegitimize the government group of the Cabildo.” He adds: “He wants to wear out with a dangerous resource: to confront the peoples with a skewed and distorted reading.” It reinforces an idea: “It is not acceptable to center the argument on 16 million euros, 1.6% of accounts of more than 363 million.”
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Everyone deserves it.
The president recalls that “we are in a crisis situation with a drop in income. We depend on the progress of the economy and the last few years have not gone well. He thinks that “all municipalities consider that they deserve more money and I understand that.” Emphasizes the credit operation «to balance the budget. A debt of 62 million for the entire Island. He reflects: «CC criticizes that 16 million are given to socialist municipalities. 1.6% of the budget. Could there be anything more ridiculous than saying that we are sectarian for that? ” Because “there are many other items for municipalities of all kinds.” And he sentences: “Never in history has political color been distributed with such equity or neglected as now.”
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“Rebel” territories.
Martín breaks down the investments made in the main “rebel territories.” In the case of Santa Cruz, “the Parque de Las Mesas (close to a million), the El Cercado ravine, the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the water treatment plant, etc.” He continues: “Since June we have sent them a protocol to advance the Taco Mountain project and they have not yet responded.” Regarding the 2nd phase of the Plaza de España, he says: “We have been waiting since September to agree on an agreement and invest.” In this regard, he values: “It would be good if they also did their homework, while demanding more investment.” He points out: «Pescanova has gone to Gran Canaria because of the poor quality of the waters of Santa Cruz, we want to fix that and we invest in sanitation». From the capital to the South: “The mayor of Arico criticizes us and is legitimate, but he hides that we have prioritized the creation of care places in his municipality with an investment of 3.5 million euros.” And end of the trip, or trips, in El Rosario: «He has never received so much money in a mandate as now. Ten million euros for the Polígono de La Campana. 1.5 for a treatment plant and much more in employment or social services ».
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Pressures
Regarding the pressure on the mayor of Tacoronte, Daniel Díaz, not to make visible his support for the front in rebellion, Pedro Martín assures: “He cannot go to a CC press conference without saying anything to his government partner, the PSOE; he cannot ignore it ». He understands that “he must meet, report and come to an agreement.” He insists: “He cannot govern without knowing the opinion of the group that supports him and even less without listening to the PSOE councilors.” Take the opportunity to ensure that they maintain the investment to eradicate termites, “a serious problem in which we cannot lower our guard.”
The spokesperson for Cs in the Cabildo, Enrique Arriaga, announces a partial amendment to the budget project to include “an item destined to the urbanization works of the TF-180 insular highway, between the Vuelta de los Pájaros and Vistabella, in the municipality of Santa Cruz ». For Arriaga “it is a priority action in this artery that connects Santa Cruz and La Laguna in response to neighborhood demand.”
The amendment of Cs by TF-180
The action includes new sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, installation of public lighting, as well as parking lots and garden areas. “The conversion into an urban road”, assesses Arriaga. | JDM
