Knowing what the three years of rehabilitation of the square will entail, with a budget of 20 million, he admits his desire to start before next summer. The project began in 2009 and until 2015 it remained in a drawer in the Cabildo. President of Fecam, she assures that she has not taken a single minute from Candelaria. Facing the 2023 elections, she just wants to continue working for her people.
What is the great challenge of these August Festivities?
The great challenge is to excite people again with the festivities of the Virgin of Candelaria. We have always tried to care for and preserve what this celebration entails: the Mother, the Virgin of Candelaria, is the bond that unites us and protects all of us canaries; before her we are all equal. And everyone has that feeling; either because of his faith or because of his sense of spirituality. That cultural and religious dimension that the Virgin has and that transcends beyond our municipality is totally respectable. The challenge is for the Canary Islands to be united through their patron saint each year.
Is that why the parties are presented on each island?
This is how we began to do it last year, in Gran Canaria, with Pepe Dámaso. This is the second edition, with La Palma and the participation of Luis Morera. We made the decision to go to Gran Canaria due to the difficulty of moving due to the restrictions and the possibility arose of presenting the program on each island and thus taking a little piece of the party.
Do you have in mind the island where you will present the 2023 program?
Yes, we would like to do it in La Gomera.
How to be a socialist and yet practically a Christian?
I am. I agree with socialist ideas but the most important thing I agree with is people. There are other themes of Christianity in which the Pope is taking very important steps that were necessary for a long time. If right now Jesus Christ lived in this society he would review some issues of the Catholic Church and also more civil matters.
Who is more like Jesus Christ: Pope Francis or the Bishop of Tenerife?
The head of the Catholic Church is the Pope and we owe it to Jesus Christ and his Church. All of us who hold a public responsibility always have to respect everyone and all opinions are legitimate. You have to keep everyone in mind and not distinguish or discriminate against anyone.
Has the change in floral offerings that were introduced in 2017 prompted the holidays?
Yes, definitely. What could not happen is that, although we are in August and during the vacation period, we saw that there was not so much availability from so many municipalities and it almost seemed like a request.
Was the folkloric offering more accepted than the pilgrimage that took place in the afternoon?
The offering exalts the figure of the Virgin as Patron of the eight Islands and that symbolism of the Canarian cultural identity. We understood that another format was possible for her to be honored without so many hours and without so much sacrifice, we wanted participating in the offering to be a pleasure and not a sacrifice.
In seven years as mayor, what are you most proud of?
The first, from the team that works in front of the town hall; both my colleagues in government tasks and municipal employees and that has resulted in the promotion of many projects that were stuck. I will never waver; I may have harder or more intense moments, but I will never fail; even if it has errors. We are in peace. We are always willing to listen to others; we work so that the municipality advances and develops; It is our unwavering commitment.
Future challenges?
Go culminating projects that we have launched. Right now many foundations are being laid in urban and social development: the award of the cleaning service that can finally be put out to tender for the works in the Plaza de la Patrona, or the tender for the projects of the covered municipal swimming pool and the auditorium. ..
When do the works begin in the Plaza de la Patrona?
We all take it for granted that next year we have to adapt the August Festivities because most likely the square will be under construction. The project is now ready for bidding.
Will this be the last year of the square before the works?
Yes. I wish. We have been waiting since 2009, even before.
And how long can they take?
The project is very ambitious. It has five phases and the first is the square itself. In 2015 we found that the plaza project was in a drawer of the Cabildo and had not been reported. In the last mandate we managed to dust it off and start with the modifications. I appreciate the involvement of the technicians who have taken it as their own. In this mandate, the final push has been given for it to move forward; It is already in public information. The works will last a minimum of three years.
Will the plaza be closed for three years?
The duration of the entire project is three years. It will be done in phases and will depend on the continued provision of the necessary funding. We are talking about a budget of almost 20 million euros in its entirety. The channeling with the pumping station of the regional sewage treatment plant is another work, which is going to be done simultaneously, and which has an expected duration of two years.
And where will the next August Festivities be held?
We are seeing it. One of the premises is that the Basilica cannot be closed and an access itinerary will always remain open regardless of the progress of the work. We’ll see what stage we are in when the next holidays are approaching and see if it can be facilitated or not so that there can be a procession. The work is necessary and we will look for a place to celebrate the party, but we cannot give up the work on the square or delay it any longer, as it is vital for Candelaria and I would dare for Tenerife and the Canary Islands.
Has being president of Fecam taken away time as mayor of Candelaria?
No. I have redistributed the time. Before, I still had some time in the afternoon to be with the family or rest and now that time does not exist. My tasks have increased but I don’t steal a minute from Candelaria because she needs us strong, always committed. I took on the challenge thanks to my colleagues and mayors. I have always understood that the benefit for municipalism is also for Candelaria. To fight for municipalism is to fight for Candelaria.
Is the Fecam presidency a springboard for other political destinies?
Nerd.
Do you see yourself in May 2023 on the poster asking for the vote to continue as mayor?
Yes, I will renew my willingness to continue working for Candelaria.
