national

Protest closes bridge

Residents of the communities of Don Bosco, in Chilibre, and Mocambo Arriba, in Alcalde Díaz, took to the streets yesterday demanding better infrastructure for their neighborhoods.

Don Bosco residents began protesting the lack of drinking water at 6:30 a.m. They blocked the main road going into their community for about four hours.

Mocambo Arriba residents started protesting at 8 a.m. and blocked the Puente Centenario for about two hours until police convinced them to allow the bridge to be opened.

Edilsa González, a community spokeswoman, said that the residents have been asking for electrical service since 2001, but that it still has not been extended to their neighborhood. Residents are also upset about the poor condition of the main road leading to the community. Because of its condition, drivers on the local bus route have refused to drive on it.

José Rodríguez, director of Electrificación Rural, met with protesters and assured them that service would be extended to their community by next Wednesday.

Also attending the protest was Ministerio de Obras Públicas (Mop) official Antonio Díaz, who pledged to look for a "temporary solution" to the road problems until more permanent repairs can be made.

Don Bosco resident Teresa García said that the residents organized the protest because they are tired of not having access to the public water system and dealing with streets that are a "disaster."

MOP officials agreed to meet with residents to discuss the ongoing problems in the area.