Irate residents of Riberas del Pilar staged a protest at Chapala City Hall early Monday, October 10, challenging Mayor Javier Degollado to keep his campaign promise to fix the deficient public services that have plagued the neighborhood for at least two decades.
The group of around 75 protestors was promptly guided into the multi-use meeting room to meet with the mayor and air their complaints. Calm dialogue was all but impossible in the heated atmosphere where angry homeowners constantly talked over one another to express their discontent. Back and forth translation for an even mix of Mexicans and foreigners further complicated matters.
The key issue concerns the lack of a sewage system and the poor quality of the water supplied to households. Another big beef is the inexistent upkeep of the neighborhood’s streets.
Degollado did his best to maintain order and listen attentively to all voices before attempting to lay out his administration’s vision of what can be accomplished. United in their cause, the impatient crowd fired back at what was generally interpreted as a line of lame excuses and unsatisfactory answers.
“We’ve waited 20 years for the government to solve our problems!” exclaimed one long-time resident. “You promised help when you campaigned for our votes.”
“We pay our taxes. Don’t we have a right to drainage? This is a public health issue,” declared another.
The mayor managed to explain that the government does have a plan for installing sewage and water infrastructure and applied for necessary federal funds last year. Between the estimated 120-million-peso price tag and steep cuts in government spending at all levels, the initiative has stalled.
He also addressed some obstacles. For starters, Riberas del Pilar extends over approximately 100 hectares, a geographical area roughly equivalent to the size of Chapala proper. That is the main reason for the prohibitive costs.
In addition, current federal guidelines for basic infrastructure projects are targeted at priority areas inhabited by the underprivileged. Due to the high living standards of most Riberas homes, the neighborhood does not qualify.
He offered two different approaches. One avenue would be to revisit the public-private investment scheme that was under consideration during the 2010-2012 government. Land surveys were carried out in that period, but the project was dropped by the next administration.
Another option would be to build sewage lines, a treatment plant and water purification system in stages, which might take up to 20 years to complete.
Residents were left to mull over the alternatives prior to a follow-up meeting to be scheduled by the end of this month.