A lack of water is worrying Nicoyans as well as members of the Nicoya Municipal Council, who unanimously approved to declare the ongoing drought, provoked by the “El Niño” weather phenomenon, an emergency. The drought has left many residents of the canton without water.
Some 50 residents of the Concepcion de Platanillo community were present for the council session on Monday, July 21. They gave the council a report on the problems they have faced since last year, as water levels in wells have been notably reduced.
Currently, the situation has become so dire that residents reported that they have no water for showering or washing dishes. They requested immediate relief through the construction of a deep well with a pump system and drainage channels to transport the liquid.
Vice Mayor Adriana Rodriguez reported that the same drought situation has appeared in the communities of El Jobo, in the Nicoya district, as well as La Iguanita in Quebrada Honda. She indicated that the council’s emergency declaration would increase the chances that the government would be able to direct resources through the National Emergency Commission.
All council members supported the emergency declaration for the canton and agreed to formally present it to the government on Friday, July 25. The council will also send a copy of the declaration to the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA – Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados) and follow up with the issue through the council’s committee on social issues.
As such, Councilor Edwin Yockchcen reminded the council that the agriculture and livestock committee presented a document to the body recommending an emergency declaration to support the canton’s farmers and cattlemen.
Secretary Resigns for Personal Reasons
During the session, Council President Juan Luis Aguirre read a letter from former Secretary Ana Gabriela Perez in which she requested her vacation time from July 21 until August 1 of this year.
Perez also included her resignation as council secretary in the letter, effective August 4, due to “my baby, who needs my care, which the office’s work schedule does not allow me,” she explained.
For that reason, Heydi Mena will fill the secretary role for the municipal council and Jorge Cento will as her assistant.
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