SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 14th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
The head of the Cabildo of Tenerife has once again criticised on Thursday the socialist governments of the Arona City Council and the island’s corporation during their last term for their lack of “compassion” that allowed the incomplete construction in Costa del Silencio to accommodate more people when “bespoke” solutions could have been sought for the most vulnerable cases.
Speaking to reporters, he reiterated that the City Council had a report from the Urban Planning department since 2021 warning of the structural risks of the building, which was not passed on to social services.
Therefore, he argues that this situation “could have been addressed well in advance, by cordoning off the area and finding solutions” for those affected individuals, who come from diverse backgrounds.
“The City Council, led by the socialist party, allowed the occupation to continue, letting more people in, including families with children, individuals with mental health issues, vulnerable and dependent people, and now, following a court order that must be obeyed, we are faced with over 200 people who need assistance,” he stated.
The president highlighted that “if things had been handled properly” at that time, the current situation could have been avoided but, nonetheless, she has once again offered all the resources of the Council to the City Council.
He mentioned that the Social Services area, specifically the Department of Childhood and Family, overseen by Minister Águeda Fumero, has been in “close coordination” with the City Council to provide support using the corporation’s resources, along with assistance from other organisations such as the Red Cross or Cáritas, while pointing out that “it should have never reached this point.”
He also commended the efforts of the Councillor for Social Services, Ruth Martín, the Mayor, Fátima Lemes, and the social workers “who have been tirelessly assisting all these people who were suddenly evicted by a court order” due to the building being deemed unsafe.
