They reported that Mata San Juan-Mancebo has more than three kilometers of its main road completely destroyed
SANTO DOMINGO NORTE. — Tired of broken promises and despite their proximity to the Santo Domingo Bypass, residents of the communities that make up the El Higüero section in Santo Domingo Norte paralyzed educational, commercial and transportation activities in demand of the construction of their streets, sidewalks and curbs.
The complaints were made public through a press release sent yesterday, Thursday, by community leaders in the area, who expressed the progressive deterioration of the roads and the lack of attention from the authorities.
Residents complained that they live practically isolated, due to the lack of basic services and the advanced deterioration of their roads, a situation that makes their daily lives difficult.
They explained that getting around the area feels like going back to ancient times, when it was only possible to travel by cart or horse.
Likewise, dozens of families expressed concern about the constant deterioration of their vehicles, caused by the terrible condition of the main streets and avenues.
The president of the Association of Neighborhood Councils of El Higüero, Gaspar González, along with community leaders such as Isabel Martínez, Severina Ferrer, Carmen Buret, Jesús Ferrer and Pastor Juan Carlos Tejeda, stated that for years they have made multiple requests to the central government without receiving any answers.
González explained that the communities have sent communications and petitions to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), but so far their demands have not been met.
Residents of Mata San Juan-Mancebo reported that they are facing the total collapse of more than three kilometers of road, aggravated by the lack of rainwater drainage, a situation that causes constant flooding.
Isabel Martínez, president of the Los Mameyes Neighborhood Council, reported that communities such as Amor de Dios, Mancebo, Rincón Arriba and Rincón Abajo are home to some 2,500 families, equivalent to an estimated population of between 10,000 and 15,000 inhabitants.
He indicated that the communities live in extremely vulnerable conditions, because they do not have paved streets, sidewalks or curbs, causing flooding and large accumulations of mud during the rains.
“Here the streets look like rivers and then lagoons full of mud, which prevents students from attending their educational centers,” said Martínez.
In that regard, Pastor Juan Carlos Tejeda denounced that due to the collapse of the roads and the enormous craters, school transport has stopped entering the sectors, forcing students and teachers to walk up to three kilometers in inhuman conditions.
For her part, Severina Ferrer explained that the communities also face difficulties accessing the 9-1-1 National Emergency System, due to the poor condition of the roads.
“When we request ambulances, they take too long to arrive because of the deplorable condition of the streets,” he said.
Ferrer added that, after the construction of the Santo Domingo Ring Road, the communities were practically isolated by more than five kilometers of impassable roads.
Carmen Buret stated that, although the distance between Amor de Dios and Mata Gorda is only 9.1 kilometers, traveling it by vehicle feels like a journey of more than 30 kilometers due to the poor condition of the road.
He explained that the closest way to connect the communities with Santo Domingo Norte would be the construction of the road that links Amor de Dios, Mancebo, Rincón Arriba and Rincón Abajo with El Higüero-Circunvalación Santo Domingo.
Community leaders and religious leaders warned that they will maintain a plan of action until the authorities begin construction of streets, sidewalks, and curbs in the affected communities.
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