On October 10, 2022 Raul Gaya wrote an opinion in El Nuevo Dia: https://www.elnuevodia.com/opinion/punto-de-vista/oro-cafe-cobre-niquel-y-ahora-agua-de-la-montana/
I wrote and submitted my response to his position. So far, it hasn’t been published in El Nuevo Dia, so I decided to publish it on my blog.
Raul Gaya dice que, “….. debemos de definir regiones que provean agua a las comunidades costeras desde la montaña por gravedad. Esta iniciativa también podría representar otra fuente de ingresos y de vida para las economías frágiles de la montaña. Esto se puede reforzar con un sistema hidroeléctrico regionalizado.” Google translate: We must define regions that provide water to coastal communities from the mountains by gravity. This initiative could also represent another source of income and life for the fragile economies of the mountains. This can be reinforced with a regionalized hydroelectric system.”
No entiendo lo que quiere decir Sr. Gaya. Yo vivo cerca del Lago Dos Bocas donde su embalse y sistema hidroeléctrico fueron construidos para fomentar la agricultura y suplir electricidad para el centro de la isla..
Antes de que hubiera teléfonos en el barrio (en los años 80), bajábamos a la planta para reportar las averías. No había guardia ni portón. Entrabamos a un espacio limpio y grande con tubos pintados en rojo y gritabamos sobre el ruido de las turbinas. El agua del embalse suple el superacueducto que distribuye agua a varios pueblos de la costa norte del país. No sé adónde va la electricidad de la planta. Me han dicho que es suplementario…pero no suple a mi barrio. Esperamos ocho meses para tener electricidad después de Maria. Este recurso del área no es para la gente de aquí ni una fuente de ingreso. No veo a los pueblos del norte dragando el embalse como necesitan hacer.
Google translate:
I don’t understand what you mean Mr. Gaya. I live near Lago Dos Bocas where its reservoir and hydroelectric system were built to promote agriculture and supply electricity to the center of the island. Before there were telephones in the neighborhood (in the 1980s), we used to go down to the plant to report breakdowns. There was no guard or gate. We’d walk into a big, clean space with red-painted pipes and yell over the noise of the turbines. The water from the reservoir supplies the super aqueduct that distributes water to several towns on the north coast of the country. I don’t know where the electricity from the plant goes. I have been told that it is supplementary… but it does not supply my neighborhood. We waited eight months to have electricity after Maria. This area resource is not for locals or a source of income. I don’t see the northern towns dredging the reservoir as they need to do.
I think yes, Mr. Gaya, we should establish the regional grids, but leave the resources where they are. And gravity to shore? What does that mean? The sea provides many resources for the coastal area…even electricity.
Bravo, Joan! Right on!