SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, September 29 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Cabildo of La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, performed the customary offering to the Island’s Patron Saint, San Miguel, this Sunday. He emphasised the perseverance and hard work of previous generations in their pursuit of a socially and economically sustainable environment, adapting in line with the times and the products that the land has to offer, “finding courage and the capacity to solve every issue and providing alternatives to every crisis.”
Moreover, the president highlighted freedom and coexistence as “the most essential values” and advocated for the advancement of territories that are underpinned by “justice and the rule of law.” In this context, he also referenced the global situation, with fifty ongoing conflicts, calling for democratic principles, conscience, and solidarity, which he described as “not merely a moral value and civic virtue but also a crucial obligation of good governance.”
The Palmero leader also noted that 2025 will commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the municipality of Tazacorte, where the San Miguel celebration takes place, and where the political map and structure of the island were “finalised and solidified.”
He stressed that “it is imperative to mobilise all our resources towards sustainable development,” outlining “the way we should live today if we aspire to a better future and how we ought to address current needs without jeopardising the prospects of future generations.” He insisted on the “necessity and obligation to stimulate economic growth while simultaneously ensuring social inclusion and environmental stewardship, as well as reinforcing governance.”
With these goals in mind, by “valuing our resources and our distinctive attributes while embracing, above legitimate differences, a unified goal and a transformative strategy,” Sergio Rodríguez asserted that “the island shall reclaim the stature it rightfully deserves, providing our citizens with the opportunities they now seek.” The president also addressed the “challenging” circumstances currently faced by the Venezuelan populace, urging for reason and reflection, and appealing for “democratic solutions,” which he stated are necessary “to respect the free will of citizens.”
He underscored the importance of achieving these ends through peaceful means, delivering the response “that a brotherly nation merits alongside respect for the law, which serves as the best assurance of social tranquillity, political integrity, and a free future for the people.” Lastly, he expressed gratitude to Monsignor Bernardo Álvarez Afonso, the emeritus bishop of the Diocese, who presided over the Offering ceremony on behalf of the Island Council to the Patron Saint.
