Higüey demands a hospital, market, and expanded roads to ensure sustainable development.
SANTO DOMINGO - The mayor of the municipal district of La Otra Banda in Higüey, La Altagracia province, Alexander Rodríguez, believes that the response from the Government and the Ministry of Public Works does not correspond to the great real estate boom that the area is experiencing, where the construction of 40,000 rooms is projected in the coming years.
Rodríguez believes that the area faces critical deficiencies that must be addressed urgently . “This town needs a hospital and a municipal market. A territory without roads is limited; it is hindered from development and the most essential things,” he stated.
He explained that the main road between La Otra Banda and Verón needs widening, better signage, and improved lighting, and that the support of the Ministry of Public Works is essential. “We have plans for signage and lighting, but there are projects that only the government can carry out ,” he stated.
In addition to the main road, the mayor's office plans to improve another 6-kilometer road near the toll plaza, which will serve as a second artery to enhance connectivity and traffic flow in the area, given the large population expected to live there. "It will be a wide, two-lane road, but sufficient to connect the projects and ensure mobility," he stated.
Urgent needs
Although some of the private developments include schools, on-site hospitals, churches, and supermarkets, Rodríguez reiterated that this does not solve the territory's public needs.
“The projects will bring their internal services, but we also need hospitals and public spaces outside. The employment required by these projects will depend on the surrounding area,” he noted.
Rodríguez reported that the mayor's office has already submitted formal requests to the central government and that they will soon hold a meeting at the Dominican Municipal League to secure funding and monitor the progress of the projects. "We are exploring every avenue to ensure the necessary resources are approved and these projects become a reality," he stated.
The mayor warned that if public investment doesn't keep pace with growth, La Otra Banda could face traffic and congestion similar to those currently plaguing Verón-Bávaro. "We won't allow the same thing to happen here. We have that clear example, and we still have time to act," he asserted.
Rodríguez emphasized that, while public-private partnerships have enabled significant progress, only the State can implement strategic projects in healthcare, markets, and roads that guarantee the district's sustainable development. "Private investment has taken the first step; now it is up to the Government to support this growth," he stressed.
Finally, the mayor reiterated that the expansion is underway and that his administration will continue working to balance public and private investment. “If we don't act now, the public infrastructure won't be able to keep up. We need the support of the State so that La Otra Banda can grow in an orderly and sustainable way,” he concluded.
Private projects and projected population
Rodríguez reported that the three major macro-projects driving the expansion of La Otra Banda are Larimar City, Huacachina, and Cruise on Land, which in their initial phases are projected to add 40,000 hotel rooms. “These developments will not only attract foreign investment, but will also generate jobs and demand infrastructure and public services that the government must guarantee,” he explained.
The mayor highlighted that the progress in construction projects is already yielding tangible results, such as the La Otra Banda Tourist Boulevard, with 50% of the landfill completed and ready to enable traffic in the first quarter of next year.
“We are working alongside businesses and the mayor's office to ensure that these private investments complement the public infrastructure. The expansion is underway, and we must make sure it is sustainable,” he concluded.
