With the May elections right around the corner, residents of San Miguelito, the country's second most populous district, are venting about the social development problems that are hindering the community's progress.
An analysis of its key economic and social indicators show that serious problems are linked to the district's lack of jobs and rising crime rate. According to the March 2007-2008 Household Survey, the district has the highest total unemployment rate in the country, at 10.1 percent; up 0.5 percent as compared to 2007. Likewise, statistics from the Ministry of Government and Justice confirmed that criminal acts continue in their upward spiral, with a record 4,802 crimes committed in the district last year.
This, despite $6.8 million in grants awarded by the president over the last four years, and an allocated budget of $9.2 million for 2009 to serve its 366,782 residents. Moreover, the finances of this community for the period 2004-2009 have been in the red. But the four candidates vying for mayor of San Miguelito for the upcoming 2009-2014 term, say they have the answers to resolve the district's recurring problems.
Should he be re-elected in May, current Mayor Héctor Valdés Carrasquilla (PRD), vows to continue advancing his current projects, including the construction of a soccer stadium, estimated to cost $13 million, a food market, and a rehabilitation center.
Alliance For Change candidate and former San Miguelito mayor, Rubén Darío Campos, proposes to create a foundation to run soup kitchens, build shelters, and establish child guidance centers.
Aquiles González, running with the Moral Vangaurd party, proposed the creation of an around-the-clock Justice of the Peace system to help offset the rising crime rate.
And independent candidate Gerald Cumberbatch says, if elected, he would implement a security plan similar to those used in New York and Bogotá.