After days of civic protests all over the state Baja California Governor Francisco Vega announced the introduction of a bill that seeks to repeal the new Water Law.
In a press conference held at Mexicali’s Public Utilities Commission headquarters Gov. Vega showed the signed bills planed for introduction at State Assembly, which has been blocked by protestors for several days.
A massive demonstration packed by over 45,000 residents was held Sunday afternoon at Mexicali’s Civic Center in rejection to the state law that increased water rates and allowed agencies to shut down service for unpaid bills.
The protests also looked for the lowering of fuel prices that climbed by 20 percent since Jan. 1, among other petitions.
“Since I began my campaign for the governorship I announced my conviction of listening to our people and said that with me, people govern,” said Vega on a video posted on his Facebook page. “This is not just a campaign motto.”
Gov. Vega said the water law addressed issues that have impacted the state for several years.
Also, the governor said water rated have not been increased although the peso has devaluated, sales tax and fuel price had increases, and funds had been scarce for infrastructure.
He recalled next year the water agreement with the United States is set for its ending, leaving the source of water from the Colorado River in limbo.
Gov. Vega also said given the standing from the next President of the United States regarding Mexico it is unpredictable the outcome of a new water pact.
All these issues were addressed with the new water law that was “responsibly approved” by Assembly members, he added.
However, in response to concerns from residents, he decided to repeal the law.
Gov. Vega alerted of the potential risks of not taking the appropriate measures to address water issues, so he announced a working group to analyze a new water law bill along with stakeholders and specialists.
Protest
Tens of thousands of residents took part Sunday of a massive protest that focused its efforts against fuel and water rate increases.
Demonstrators met at noon in several fronts. Some gathered at the Vicente Guerrero Monument, also known as “El Caballito,” while others started marching from the flag located at Centenario Plaza by the New River Boulevard.
In a few minutes the Three Branch Square, located in the political heart of the state’s capital city was crowded.
Low-income residents shared with the rich and the middle-class protestors the small spaces with grass in front of the State Building, most of them carrying Mexican flags or banners –some of them including profanities in Spanish- in rejection to either President Enrique Peña or Governor Francisco Vega.
In the meantime, several ambulant vendors of “agua frescas,” corn cocktails and other candies struggle to supply their demanding clientele who suffered from heat and hunger.
Few steps away dozens of speakers –none of them related to political parties or public agencies- were given a minute to express their inconformity with state and national policies.
While most of those attending the protest did so on foot, some others went riding their bicycles or on motorcycles, wheelchairs strollers and even crutches.
Just outside the Legislative Building a small boy was playing with his toy car on top of a banner that read, “No more abuse.”
A larger banner was posted yards away asking Gov. Vega about the 2.8 billion pesos approved three years ago to help alleviate the pension crisis.
“Wake up, Mexican”, read a banner with red letters a young lady carried in front of the Legislative Building.
“I am Mexican and I am ashamed of my government,” read another banner a man had on his hands in front of the Executive Building.
By 2 p.m. hundreds of residents were incoming and outgoing from the protest along De Los Héroes Avenue, a street that has never seen such a crowd in recent times, even during Independence Day celebrations.
Close to the avenue, local residents were gathering signatures from voters outside the day-long blocked building of Mexicali’s equivalent of the Department of Motor Vehicles, where dozens and dozens of residents lined up in order to support a measure to strike down the new state Water Law.
According to demonstrators, this law will privatize water services and would increase water rates at an unknown amount. Although Gov. Vega has denied such allegations, on Friday he announced the suspension of some provisions included on this law.
However, the bill’s text indicates authorities will be allowed to cut water service in case several months of payment are skipped.
Signature collection was ongoing on several parts around the protest, in which referendum supporters utilized vehicles as tables to get support from voters.
The police did not report any incident during the protest.
First reaction
On Friday, after thousands of Mexicali residents protested at the Civic Center against the gas price and water rate increase, Governor Francisco Vega announced a series of measures to address the issue.
“Given the economic and social situation that our country is going through that unfortunately Baja California is not exempted from and being sensible to the expressions of citizens’ clamor, it is clear for me that people asks us to double the effort to tighten the administration’s belt and provides more support and benefits for residents,” Gov. Vega said.
Salary freeze for top officials, 20 percent discount in water rates for customers in good standing who consume up to 2,641 gallons per month of water, energy savings in public buildings, up to one hundred percent discounts for those who have unpaid bills, the cancelation of vehicle plate renewal and discounts for low-income senior residents in vehicle registration renewal were among the measures announced by Gov. Vega during a press conference held in Tijuana.
Thursday’s demonstrators demanded the impeachment of President Enrique Peña and Gov. Vega.
“This administration has made a big effort to address the demands expressed by residents,” he said. “I respectfully invite other government, state branches and independent agencies to consider their addition to the citizens’ demands and tighten their belts as well in favor of Baja California.”
