The Chinese proverb says that “sometimes a close neighbor can be better than a distant relative.” And the popular Eastern philosophy is not wrong, as it stems from the age-old idea that sometimes help comes from someone outside of you and your circumstances, and yet, it is denied by those who are closer to you and more aware of your problems.
I say this with pride and gratitude, because Yaiza has received the illustrious visit of the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, and I capitalize President Fernando Clavijo, who has shown an empathy and closeness to Yaiza's problems that I haven't remembered for a long time in this humble land.
Fernando accepted my invitation to discuss several issues that concern us in Yaiza and are the responsibility of the Autonomous Community. It was, as he himself wanted to point out to the media, a "planned" political and technical visit to address, among other matters, the pending execution project of 136 homes on the land we ceded in Montaña Roja for the affordable rental market and a new investment in the purchase of 76 already built houses in the Los Ajaches residential area, also in Playa Blanca, to alleviate the pressing demand for rentals.
The expansion of the Playa Blanca Health Center was another topic of discussion, and we agreed to resolve the disparity of criteria regarding land cession as soon as possible through a technical commission. The Yaiza Health Center also needs an expansion, and we put forward an alternative to do so by relocating the funeral home to another site.
We also invited him to help strengthen our commercial and tourism fabric with the necessary services demanded by the new Playa Blanca Port, given the imminent arrival of cruise ships. The expansions of the CEIP and CEO Montaña Roja in Playa Blanca, as well as the expansion of the CEIP Uga, were part of our work agenda with technicians from the Ministry. Of course, we addressed the expansion of the Playa Blanca Wastewater Treatment Plant (EDAR), whose tender must be put out to public competition before the end of the year with a multi-year investment of 11 million euros.
The solution for the undergrounding of the electrical line to remove the pylons in Femés, which first depends on an agreement between the Cabildo and Red Eléctrica, and the repair of the El Golfo sinkhole, were discussed at the meeting. For these two projects, we requested financial assistance, without forgetting the need to truly undertake the project of doubling the road that connects Yaiza and Playa Blanca, and to do so in coordination with the Cabildo of Lanzarote, the primary institution called upon to address, or at least listen to, the demands of the municipalities.
The most surprising thing, and what I highlight most about that meeting, is that on none of these issues, which are largely regional responsibilities, did the president shy away. In fact, not only did he not shy away, but he brought along directors general and technicians from those areas to clarify, help, and move forward together in solving these issues.
Perhaps Fernando, having been a monk before a friar, and mayor before president of the Canary Islands, understands the loneliness of local administrations when faced with problems that exceed the resolution, competence, and logistical capacity of a town hall. He understands that sometimes a simple visit helps, he understands that picking up the phone calms, and that working side by side benefits the people. I defend that way of doing politics, that of rowing, of adding, of fighting together to solve problems, and of extending a hand for the benefit of citizens. The meeting was between administrators of administrations and not between political rivals; that is how citizens are respected.
I am very aware that due to his enormous responsibility, he cannot and does not reach everything, nor can he follow up on everything, and that for that he has his own government advisors, with whom in some cases we have found collaboration and good predisposition.
But I cannot understand how that "ideal" way of doing politics has not created a school, has not managed to permeate politicians closer to Lanzarote, closer to this administration that I have the honor of presiding over. I do not understand how they are incapable of seeing what the easiest model is for solving problems and dignifying the exercise of political activity: serving the people.
I do not see the behavior of the President of the Government of the Canary Islands reflected in island officials, in positions that should be simpler and more straightforward than Fernando himself, and who, with the experience they have accumulated in positions like mine, should know the loneliness that they often face. This is a reflection and not a lament, because even so, I am a fortunate man to be able to dedicate myself to my town of Yaiza with honesty and humility, although sometimes having the distant relative closer than the close neighbor also helps, and a lot, especially when your "relative" has promised me the moon and stars in water management, pylons, sinkholes, and various works. In short.
