SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 25 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife and secretary of the Organisation of the Canary Coalition (CC) on the island, Rosa Dávila, has cautioned the PSOE and the central government this Wednesday regarding the “influence” that her party’s vote holds within the Cortes, should the government neglect the ‘Canarian agenda’ and abolish free public transport.
“I discussed it with Cristina Valido yesterday and we will proceed with its implementation,” she clarified to the press during the conference following the Government Council gathering, in which she emphasised that the PSOE lacks a governing majority and in the Budget Committee “there are eight votes.”
The president declared that “unfortunately,” this is a position her party feels compelled to take, when what she “wishes” is for the Government to “appreciate” the significance of free education for the economic, social, and labour advancement of the island.
Along these lines, she reiterated that for the Canarian institutions, the principle of free transport is “not in doubt” as it has represented a “significant leap” in enhancing mobility on the island, evidenced by a 45% rise in bus passengers, for instance.
“We will not permit its removal,” she asserted, underscoring that the potential extension of the PGE “does not serve as an obstacle” to its abolition, as it was sustained this year following the endorsement of a royal decree law, with €81 million allocated in the state budget for this purpose.
She insisted that this measure is “undeniable” for the Canary Islands, one of the regions with the lowest wages and highest poverty levels, while acknowledging that the “green revolution” initiated on the island “cannot be left unfinished.” “When something is functioning effectively, it ought not to be altered,” she commented.
Dávila also noted that it has yet to be deliberated whether the Cabildo would be capable of covering 100% of the transport expenses, although she recalled that last year, amidst uncertainty, it did allocate these resources.
However, she stated that the corporation has received “no definitive notification” regarding the withdrawal of this measure.
