With government pacts, complaints, resignations, and unfinished projects all on the table for discussion with the Mayor of Porto. His unwavering belief is that talking about Puerto de la Cruz, repeatedly, is crucial as it is the “most stunning city globally.” This is a “mantra” he holds dear and never tires of reiterating as he is wholeheartedly convinced. He highlights that the municipality is at a juncture of historic significance in terms of public and private investment, “restoring what had been neglected for numerous years, or we allowed to deteriorate,” he explains.
-Is it a challenge to implement actions to enhance water quality and regain the two blue flags lost by the city in 2022?
“We have made efforts to make some improvements to secure this certification but they fall short as certain measures are not short-term. Work is ongoing, but it is insufficient to prevent the closure of certain bathing areas, such as Playa Jardín, experienced in the previous year, impacting the attainment of the said certification. Hence, we will persist in investing, improving, and delivering. In the past, collaboration was undertaken with the Environmental Education Foundation (FEE), the entity granting this accolade, to rectify other deficiencies such as signage and ambulance signaling, and we continue to work in that direction.”
-Can a tourist town afford to not have blue flags?
“In essence, they are certifications and there are numerous, though I do not undermine their significance. The water quality for bathing is ensured as periodic analyses are conducted in the municipality. The FEE certification denotes excellence, and just as it was lost and subsequently regained, we are striving towards ensuring next year avoids being more than just a mere aspiration, but a reality.”
-When will Martiánez beach materialize?
“Martiánez beach is a long-awaited project, the temporary deficit of which is irrecoverable. It is impossible to turn back decades of administrative procedures that culminated in naught, often witnessed at the budgetary level when different parties governed at the national level, with allocated economic resources yielding no tangible outcomes due to the absence of a project with environmental safeguards. In 2020, efforts were made to draft the necessary document for the new environmental impact and sand replenishment study, a tender was secured, there was a public exhibition to present objections, and now it is under the Ministry’s jurisdiction for resolution. Should it receive approval, the essential next step is to pool resources and financial commitment from the Ministry, the Cabildo, and the City Council to bring the project to fruition.”
-What would be the subsequent administrative procedure to be undertaken?
“Resolving objections by the Ministry, as we believe after the project and impact study, definitive approval is imminent. We acknowledge numerous concerns not only from beachgoers but also from groups, organizations, and individuals who voiced dissent due to a project dating back over a decade. Therefore, we aim to reach a verdict on whether the project is feasible or not, and if not, we would have to consider a less ambitious alternative. A beach lacking basic facilities such as public restrooms or adequate showers is not sustainable.”
-The restoration of the sports pier, for which the Tenerife Cabildo has allocated a budget, has been completed. Do you support this initiative?
“I prefer referring to it as port infrastructure, encompassing all investments on land and sea. In 2016, whilst in the opposition, I aligned with an island government in a roadmap that earmarked financial resources for a project I endorsed unequivocally, sans knowing the remaining administrative steps or the timeline for its realization. Now, being in office, I prioritize incorporating this port infrastructure into a modernization plan, therefore, the foremost task is resolving the urban planning aspect. Subsequently, an environmental study follows, and it is beyond my purview to disclose progress made. However, I am privy to preliminary assessments on the coast that may influence or not the prospective project. The decision rests with the appropriate authorities post evaluations. Any commitment to port infrastructure translates to an opportunity for updating projects and commissioning preliminary studies from the University of La Laguna as executed previously, but a dock does not materialize with merely a million Euros.”
-Is the resignation of the former Finance Councilor, Natalia Afonso, attributable to disagreements with you over declining to endorse an Extrajudicial Recognition of Credit (REC) totalling nearly a million Euros for the Festival area?
“Natalia is a professional whom I beckoned to participate in politics, and politics, be it enchanting or disenchanting, prompted her to depart from the City Council for personal reasons, although she remains affiliated with the PSOE and the Executive. We must respect the personal decisions of individuals who opted to be part of the municipal Executive. Therefore, she did not sever ties with Puerto de la Cruz, the party, and the signs are evident: she continues to work alongside me and participates in the Pact Table, unifying the two political factions that joined forces to form a government.”
-Do you fear the PP will report this REC to the Prosecutor’s Office, as hinted in the prior plenary session?
“The REC was a procedural determination, a practice observed yearly, not an isolated instance. I am not an advocate for intertwining legal and political spheres, as I believe courts serve a distinct purpose. The discrepancies within these RECs may stem from procedural oversights or require tendering. Upon assuming office, I inherited a shortage of personnel within the city council, leading to a dilemma where resources and personnel had to be allocated towards either infrastructure projects or seasonal tenders. I opted for the latter, albeit with caution concerning minor contracts, to avert overwhelming a contracting unit operating under certain regulations and adhering to a political vision of maximizing allocations within the constraints of available resources. Hence, it is a political prerogative.”
-Why do 37 RECs in five months seem excessive compared to other municipalities?
“But none parallel our utilization of RECs. This was a directive from the Court of Auditors, and I defer to the experts. Some entities may opt to circumvent this practice and pursue the standard procedural route, confronting objections, a phenomenon evident in numerous city councils. The Contracting Unit shoulders an immense burden, thus, it is imperative to prioritize assisting citizens within our means, albeit not to the extent we desire. Hence, my reluctance towards litigation, as we encounter challenges concerning the Costa Martiánez leisure project, contributing to a deficit for this City Council, potentially incurring political liabilities. However, I refrained from such action as I believe there was no miscommunication leading to financial gain or benefiting others, a premise upon which accusations could be levied against me.”
-Was this the reference in the prior plenary session?Warning the PP of Potential Legal Action
During the discussion, I made it clear to the PP that taking legal action was an option. I emphasized that it’s not ideal to resort to lawsuits in politics, as we should strive to do our best without always resorting to legal battles. Currently, there are pending invoices from the previous government that have been taken to court, and I prefer not to hold anyone politically accountable until the government is obliged to pay the bills. I have always focused on carrying out a constructive opposition rather than engaging in legal battles. I urge the PP and CC to adopt a similar mindset, as we are all here to work together for the good of the city. Even if I were in the opposition, I would be pleased with the positive changes happening in Puerto de la Cruz. The city has evolved into a modern hub with record-low unemployment rates, increased investment opportunities, and the revival of support initiatives – factors that should be celebrated by anyone aspiring to lead the city.
-Do you believe the opposition shares your optimistic view of the city?
Those who lack a positive outlook on the city are simply not paying attention to the progress being made. While some may strategize to attack my government’s performance, they need to acknowledge the growing trust in the PSOE. I have dedicated significant time and effort to the city, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. I am not seeking praise or accolades, but I refuse to let anyone claim that Puerto de la Cruz is regressing.
-Support for the Implementation of an Ecotax
The debate on implementing an ecotax has been avoided for years due to a lack of courage in decision-making. In politics, boldness is crucial, and I believe that an ecotax, particularly if it serves a specific purpose, should be introduced. It should be up to the City Council to decide on this matter. Tourist-centric areas like ours receive insufficient funding despite their significant contributions to the economy. The ongoing discussions in the Canary Islands regarding ecotaxes have been mishandled. It is imperative to establish clear definitions for tourist municipalities and address the financing issues promptly to ensure sustainable growth and development.
