The booming growth of the province and city of Santiago is in danger because of the bill that seeks to establish the municipality of Gurabo, says Alejandro Fondeur Mera, president of the Association of Housing Promoters and Builders of Cibao (Aprocovici).
He believes that this initiative by the deputy for Santiago of the Dominican Liberation Party, Víctor Suárez, poses a crucial challenge for the cohesion and sustainable development of the region.
The representative of the builders of the Heart City urges continued promotion of investments in Santiago, in accordance with the 2030 Plan, so that these reflect their significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
And it adds: “Leading to better development, boosting the quality of life of its citizens and avoiding the dispersion of socioeconomic resources resulting from inconvenient municipal divisions, as this bill intends.”.
Fondeur Mera emphasizes the importance of maintaining joint and strategic planning that allows Santiago to continue forging a future as an organized territory, based on technical and not political criteria, so as not to sacrifice its design or the harmony of its population.
"The proposal to create the municipality of Gurabo, far from contributing positively, poses a serious risk to the planning and efficiency of municipal administration processes and consequently to the quality of life of the people of Santiago," he points out.
The civil engineer argues that instead of improving the city, this initiative threatens to increase disorganization and compromise Santiago's urban unity. "We are definitely stronger together," Fondeur Mera emphasized.
The president of Aprocovici argues that solutions to major problems and the pursuit of greater sustainability are more achievable when working together as a whole, rather than separately in more municipalities.
“In this process, the institution reaffirms its commitment to working hand in hand with the authorities and the community, promoting initiatives and public policies that continue to strengthen the importance and potential of Santiago in the national landscape, as a cohesive territory.”.
The bill has been met with rejection from business and development institutions in Santiago. “The proposal to create a new municipality is rejected by business and development organizations in Santiago, who believe it will lead to harmful fragmentation and hinder effective decision-making.”.
Proponent
The Standing Committee on Municipal Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies recently held public hearings in the province of Santiago in order to discuss with the inhabitants of that area the bills that elevate the Santiago Oeste (Cienfuegos) district and the Gurabo section to the category of municipality.
The chairman of the committee, Representative Plutarco Pérez, stated that if the localities meet the legal and constitutional requirements to be elevated to the status of municipality, he will work from the National Congress to make it a reality
Deputy Victor Suarez, the proponent of the initiative, highlighted that this section is prepared to be a municipality since it meets all the obligations, thus having a wide commercial economic activity, industrial parks, free zones, restaurants, residential projects and other services, guaranteeing the residents all the comforts and security to live urban life.
