An increase of 10 percent on energy bills is expected during summer, Mexicali Chamber of Commerce President said
This summer, energy bills are expected to increase up to 10 percent compared to 2022.
Incoming Mexicali Chamber of Commerce President Antonio Villa told La Voz newspaper chamber members will seek to purchase new, efficient air conditioning units.
Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission suggested chamber members isolate business areas and refrigerate them with the so-called mini-split air conditioning units.
Villa said Mexicali recorded one of the highest inflation rates in the country in February with 8 percent, while energy increased by 7.3 percent.
The chamber President said the business organization plans to provide members with a helping hand to purchase new air conditioning units through a state program or private banks with preferred interest rates.
According to Villa, chamber members do not expect to modify their schedules in order to address higher energy bills, as only a few can do so due to their activities. The exception would be law and accounting firms, he said.
Also, Villa said businesses report a decrease in sales during summer, which makes it more difficult to struggle with operations costs given the climb on energy bills.
La Chinesca investment expected
After the recent declaration of Mexicali’s Chinatown as Magical Neighborhood local authorities expect investment in arts and business.
City of Mexicali delegate in downtown Rubén Hernández-Chen said the investment will seek to improve streets and alleys in the downtown area known as La Chinesca in order to turn them attractive for visitors.
At the same time, that investment will follow the Chinese theme in the area.
Hernández-Chen told La Crónica newspaper the city expects the reopening of the iconic Chinese Restaurante 19 — one of the city’s pioneers in Chinese food. The business shut down in 2000.
Last week, the Mexican Department of Tourism announced the latest list of Magical Neighborhoods that included Mexicali’s Chinatown, based on the area’s history, culture, gastronomy, and infrastructure.
The local Chinatown has become a new attraction in the city that is visited on average by 800 tourists, Hernández-Chen told the newspaper.
Traffic accidents on the rise in Spring Break
The risk of having a car accident increases up to 15 percent during the Holy Week, a state official said.
Undersecretary of Public Health Néstor Hernández told La Crónica newspaper the authorities have called residents to implement preventative measures.
On average, car accidents during this time occur at night. Also, the agency has historically recorded increases in burns and drowning of children, as well as knife injuries and falls with fractures.
Hernández told the newspaper since the pandemic first hit the state the authorities have recorded a climb in accidental deaths to the point the issue is now one of the 10 most significant causes of death.
The state official called residents to avoid driving under the influence or using the phone while driving.
At home, residents are asked to keep an eye on children, especially by avoiding walking without shoes by a wet floor, avoiding leaving hot pans unattended while cooking, and closely watching children while swimming.
City needs funds for expansion of shelter
In order to expand the Peregrino Shelter, a City of Mexicali official said the municipal government has made a request of additional funds.
Family Development Agency Director Karla Edith Gonzalez said the city has applied to obtain 15 million pesos or close to a million dollars from the federal government for the expansion, La Crónica newspaper said.
Gonzalez said the funds will be used to expand the kitchen area and cover operation funds to provide services to more immigrants.
A response is expected by the end of April, the director said.
According to Gonzalez, the first stage of the expansion was paid for by Mexico’s federal government. The director said additional funds would be requested from the International Immigration Organization of the United Nations for the second stage.
Local authorities expect the number of immigrants will double in the upcoming future.
Gonzalez told the newspaper the group of Angolan immigrants that recently arrived in the city was admitted to the US due to their risk of death.
Last week, Mexicali Mayor Norma Bustamante said no public agency has a program to provide services to arriving immigrants.
At the same time, the mayor said there is a crisis in the city due to the arrival of immigrants from Central America and Africa.
The mayor considered the Mexican government responsible to address the issue.
State ends street repair
The state Department of Infrastructure and Urban Development reported over the weekend the end of the repairs made in a southerly busy intersection in New River Boulevard.
Secretary Arturo Espinoza said the agency had to repair several cave-ins in the intersection with Héctor Terán Avenue at the cost of 10 million pesos or over half a million dollars.
The agency first installed new concrete caps in over 203 yards. Then, the agency moved forward with the paving.
Previously, the agency rehabilitated another intersection of the New River Boulevard with Lázaro Cárdenas Boulevard.
Although the major repairs have reportedly been finished the agency plans to continue with other minor repairs during the month in order to protect pedestrians and drivers.
Sec. Espinoza called residents to drive with precaution through the area by following speed limits and street signals.
Te puede interesar: Legislator requests extension of energy subsidy
