A day 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.”
Man burns American flag during protest
Thousands of Mexicali residents gathered at the Civic Center for a massive protest against gas price and water rates increases.
While the demonstration was moving forward an unidentified individual burned a U.S. flag.
A video of the American flag burning was posted on the Facebook group Denuncia Ciudadana de Baja California.
The images led hundreds of negative comments against the individual.
The protest was held a day after authorities reopened the La Rosita fuel distribution plant in western Mexicali that was closed by demonstrators for 10 days.
The police said the rumors about a retake of the plant by protestors were untrue.
Assembly Speaker Raúl Castañeda announced the cancellation of Thursday’s legislative session due to the protest.
Lawmaker proposes elimination of taxes
A state lawmaker said that in order to decrease gas prices, which have already impacted Mexicans’ economy, authorities need to get rid of the Special Tax on Products and Services, known in Spanish as IEPS, applied to fuel.
Assemblyman Andrés De La Rosa, a Mexicali member of the National Action Party, said he will introduce a bill to change tax law to exempt this tax on gasoline.
The bill would be introduced in the name of his party caucus.
The legislator said it is estimated the federal government gets around 300 billion pesos (or $14.2 billion) with the price gas increase.
If the bill is approved, it would be sent to Congress for its introduction at the federal level.
De La Rosa said he is looking forward to get support from his colleagues from other political parties for a unanimous vote.
Governor meets federal officials
Baja California Governor Francisco Vega met Tuesday with a Mexican official in order to address the gas price issue that has caused protests and inconformity all around the state.
The state’s Executive gathered in Mexico City with Secretary of the Treasury José Antonio Meade, before whom he insisted on his proposal to pair gas prices in Baja California with those in California.
Vega also asked to decrease the Special Tax on Products and Services, known here as IEPS.
Public company Mexican Petroleum (PEMEX in Spanish) General Manager José Antonio González attended the meeting, along with other federal and state officials.
Meade said the Mexican government is analyzing all proposals made to address the negative impact of the issue.
Gov. Vega left the meeting with two solutions—the extension of time gas station owners can pay the credit received from Pemex for fuel and the reduction of time from the Mexican IRS to reimburse taxes paid.
Secretary Meade recalled during the meeting that beginning March gas station owners will be able to import fuel which in turn might decrease gas prices.
Gov. Vega said the federal government will appropriate additional funds for safety net programs to benefit senior residents.
