A virtual gathering of fifteen PSOE mayors in Tenerife took place on Friday to discuss the island’s primary challenges and the proposed solutions by the party. Topics included the Water Emergency Plan for the Countryside, the housing crisis due to the scarcity of affordable rentals, and traffic congestion on the highways, emphasizing the need to advance the projects outlined by the former government led by Pedro Martín, who was present at the meeting.
At present, the Socialist Party governs fifteen out of the 31 municipalities in Tenerife and collaborates in the administration of four others, totalling nineteen. The municipalities under their jurisdiction include Adeje, Arico, Buenavista del Norte, Candelaria, Fasnia, Granadilla de Abona, La Laguna, La Matanza, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Silos, Tacoronte, El Tanque, Tegueste, La Victoria, and Vilaflor. Additionally, they are involved in the governance of Garachico, La Guancha, Güímar, and Icod de los Vinos.
In view of the severe drought conditions in Fasnia and Arico, these municipalities have recently implemented water usage restrictions due to the lack of available resources in their networks. The water scarcity emerged as one of the key concerns during the meeting, with a spotlight on the Water Emergency Plan for the Countryside. Pedro Martín put forward specific infrastructure projects for Tenerife, receiving unanimous support from all council groups.
The socialist proposal includes a series of urgently needed projects requiring an investment exceeding 60 million euros. Initiatives such as the deployment of mobile desalination plants, similar to the one previously set up in Güímar, as well as financial aid to reduce water network losses managed by municipalities and the ongoing waterproofing of the island’s reservoirs, initiated between 2019 and 2023.
Addressing the lack of affordable rental housing, discussion ensued on the necessity to advocate for modifications within the Council regarding the insufficient program initiated by the previous CC and PP government with a meagre budget of five million euros. This initiative is deemed insufficient and overtaken by the housing decree law approved by the Canary Islands Government, which grants additional authority to the Cabildos.
Urging the Cabildo government to leverage its newfound housing powers, Pedro Martín stressed the importance of collaborative efforts with municipalities to invest in social housing and alleviate the prevailing crisis across Tenerife.
In terms of transportation, Pedro Martín highlighted the inefficacy of measures announced by Cabildo president, Rosa Dávila, opting for temporary solutions like restricting access to the TF-5 from places like Guamasa. Instead, the focus should be on long-term projects like the La Laguna variant, previously prepared by socialists, which could address the TF-5 dilemma effectively. For the Southern Highway, preparations were in place for works from Las Américas to San Isidro, yet no progress has been made by the Cabildo, resulting in continued traffic congestion, concluded the Socialist Group’s president and general secretary.
