The Plenary of the Tenerife Island Council agreed yesterday to allocate the two million euros planned in the agreement with the Ministry of Defense to acquire the Cristo barracks (La Laguna). The island’s Corporation plans to build a sociomedical centre on the plot. This measure is included in a new credit modification of 10.5 million for improvements in environmental policies, tourism, education, and social welfare. The Socialist Group rejected the budget extension and found that its amendments totalling 26 million were not accepted by CC, PP, and Vox, including 20 million to be invested in social housing.
The island’s Director of Finance, Juan Carlos Pérez Frías, defended the government group’s position, while the Socialist spokesperson, Aarón Afonso, defended that of the main opposition on the island.
Allocations
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The approved two million euros will facilitate the acquisition of land intended to launch the sociomedical infrastructure in Aguere. In addition, 1.3 million euros will be allocated for subsidies to the municipalities of Tenerife to address land urbanization costs and 1.5 million for the restoration of real estate with high cultural value. Furthermore, 630,000 euros will be allocated for special education scholarships, representing an increase of 400,000 from the initial budget.
Moreover, 600,000 euros are earmarked as an increase in subsidies provided by Tourism of Tenerife to enhance connectivity on the island. The approved agreement also allows for 553,880 euros for road improvements and tracks in Teno, as well as actions in the Montaña Roja Camping site, the La Tahonilla Environmental Centre, and other environmental management investments. The budget modification includes a provision of 315,000 euros in favour of the La Laguna City Council for collaboration in the surveillance and removal of vehicles at the Anaga Rural Park, as well as another 505,000 in sports subsidies and travel assistance.
President Rosa Davila and the opposition leader, socialist Pedro Martín, during yesterday’s plenary session. / Andrés Gutiérrez
Transgender Individuals
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The Island Council commits to the real and effective inclusion of transgender individuals in sports and to rejecting any form of transphobia. The government’s motion was supported by the PSOE –highlighting Nauzet Gugliotta’s passionate defense– and opposed by the Mixed Group (Vox), whose councillors argued that it was a “blackmail” by the LGBTQ+ groups, several of which were represented in the chamber. The Council’s president, Rosa Dávila, specifically addressed them to offer “apologies” for actions taken in previous terms. The island’s Corporation also agrees to resume dialogue and collaboration with entities in Tenerife and involve them in any actions or initiatives that the Council undertakes in this area, especially those carried out with sports federations.
The motion states that, in recent times, transgender individuals, particularly including minors and adolescents, “have been direct victims of the increasing number of discriminatory situations that attack their most basic fundamental rights in various aspects of their lives.” It also asserts that “the current legislative framework in the State and in Canary Islands promotes real and effective inclusion, which must be linked to the constitutional mandate.” Vox opposed it with arguments referencing the position of the Popular Party, “different from the one defended at the national level.”
Collectives
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The public commitment of the plenary was met with a statement from the associations, who welcomed what they described as an “achievement” by approving “a motion whose initiative stemmed from the collectives in response to the transphobia that occurred in the previous term at a congress on women and sport supported by the institution.” They added that they had suspended their relations with the Council pending the approval of the agreements in this motion. The signatories to the statement were Aperttura, Caminar Intersex, Canarypride, Chrysallis Canarias, Diversas, Fundación Pedro Zerolo, Libertrans, Transboys and Transwome.
The Family
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Family was the focus of another chapter of the more ideological morning for the two Vox councillors – both in action and reaction from the rest– since the start of the term. After a lengthy debate, the Mixed Group, as the proponent, decided to withdraw the motion before it was voted on to recognise the family institution as a “fundamental pillar of society.” This came after the complete rejection by all other political forces. For the PSOE, it had a smell of Francoism, and for CC and PP, there were unacceptable references to the relation between immigration and delinquency. The notion of the type of family or families that needed defending loomed throughout the discussion.
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Compatibility
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The PSOE rejected the compatibility request of Vox councillor Naím Yánez, who was absent at the time of the vote. He did so “for advocating the same as in the budget debate regarding the release of spokespersons.” José Miguel Ruano (CC) defended the government’s position. The request for Carmen Nieves Rodríguez Fraga (PSOE) for second activity without full or part-time dedication was also approved. Vox councillors abstained.
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