On the 4th of March, Alonso Fernández-Del Castillo Machado passed away at the age of 94, surrounded by his wife, Gutta, and his sons, Pablo and Miguel, along with the rest of the family. The name may not ring a bell, but the Island owes a lot to the man who was granted the title of Favourite Son of Tenerife on the 20th of June last year. A well-deserved recognition, as this native of La Laguna, born in 1929 and a Law graduate from the ULL, the architect of the Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF) of the Canary Islands, can be hailed as the founding figure of the modern Cabildo, to which he devoted 25 years of his life (1969-1994). Initially as Chief Officer and later as Secretary, his pivotal role in adapting the legal-administrative structure of the institution to the changes brought about by the transition and democratic period cannot be overstated.
A legal expert – a professor of Administrative Law – and a devoted classical music enthusiast, he merged both passions during his professional career by significantly enhancing the insular nature of the Conservatory Superior – later transferred to the Ministry of Education – and the Symphony Orchestra.
While in Madrid, he prepared for the entrance examination for First Category Local Administration Secretary. He resided in the renowned Colegio Mayor César Carlos, where he met classmates who would later become key figures in the political transition such as José Luis Sampedro, Raúl Morodo, Ramón Tamames, and Alejandro Nieto.
José Antonio Duque Díaz, who succeeded Fernández-Del Castillo as Secretary of the Cabildo and shared many years with him, recalls an anecdote that sheds light on his character: “I was heading to his office and saw someone waiting outside. It turned out to be none other than José Luis Sampedro (1917-2013) – a writer, humanist, economist, and politically significant figure.” Duque adds, “As I approached him, he mentioned, after the initial surprise, that he was waiting for his close friend Alonso, who was finalizing a document.”
Serious and extremely meticulous in his work, yet cordial and respectful to all. He completely transformed when carrying out his duties as Secretary compared to his interactions with people on the streets. Those who knew him at the Cabildo attest to this, like the usher Esteban Pérez, who worked at the Insular Palace for three decades. He recalls, “He read El País every day, I would go to buy the newspaper at the kiosk and take it to his office for him.”
After completing his studies, his first professional position was at the Güímar Town Hall. Subsequently, he secured the position of Chief Officer at the Cabildo de Tenerife in 1969, later advancing to Deputy General Secretary and finally, in 1991, being appointed General Secretary, a role he held until his retirement in 1994 – he wished he could have continued until the age of 70. Therefore, 25 years in the service of Tenerife’s foremost institution. In that organizational chart, he was second only to the president, a position held in those times by, among others, distinguished individuals such as José Miguel Galván Bello or the recently deceased Andrés Miranda.
Key Role in the REF
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Alonso Fenrnández-Del Castillo played a pivotal role in the approval of the Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF) Law of the Canary Islands, Law 30/1972. Duque describes him as a cornerstone in the inception of the Autonomous Community, a true pioneer of autonomy.
He also contributed to drafting regulations and statutes for institutions or bodies in which the corporation was involved, leading to a more efficient approach in addressing issues in various domains. From industrial estates to the Insular Water Council or the Technological and Renewable Energy Institute, among others. Furthermore, he played a part in the development of the northern (Los Rodeos) and southern (Reina Sofía) airports.
He was instrumental in the construction of the General and Clinical Hospital that facilitated the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of La Laguna, ensuring that students on the Island did not have to travel to the mainland to study medicine. Not to mention the Insular Solid Waste Plan (PIRS), the first experience of transferring municipal responsibilities to address, at an insular level, the pressing issue of urban waste management.
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In the cultural realm, his involvement in the incorporation of the Superior Conservatory of Music and the Symphony Orchestra of Tenerife (OST) by the insular Corporation (and its consolidation) after the transformation from the Chamber Orchestra of the Canary Islands was also crucial. He also served as the President of the Ateneo and as the Director of the Institute of Canarian Studies. A life devoted to the Cabildo and the Island.
