:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/2V2UU23ZYRE7FDN3U4WB6E5F7E.jpg "Neighborhood inquiry in San Borja: Mayor Marco Alvarez responds to nearly a hundred neighbors | Environment, Noise Control, Mobility, Citizen Participation, Social Wellbeing | lime")
Before a large group of San Borja residents, Mayor Marco Alvarez answered 11 questions about the actions his administration has taken on issues such as the environment, noise control, mobility, citizen participation, social well-being and other concerns of citizens. It will be 41 years since the formation of the district.
read more: Hearing in Gallo: Neighbors take the floor, Mayor Pedro Spataro responds to insecurity, cleanup and new jobs
The assembly was held as part of the Neighborhood Hearings program organized by El Comercio, sponsored by Enel Peru and with the technical support of Idea International.
It is the fourth day of Participatory Democracy of the year and the tenth day from 2023, the reactivation of this symbolic initiative of El Comercio, which for more than ten years (between 2002 and 2015) toured the districts of Lima and different regions of Peru. This allows neighbors to present key concerns of their communities directly to their mayors. Precisely, San Borja held the first trial in 2013, when Alvarez served as mayor for the first time.
“I am very happy to see that many of those who attended that day are with us today. One of them was Juan Sotero, poster of the 2013 trial and a neighbor who came with a letter from then-director Francisco Miro Quezada. In those days, neighbors were concerned about participatory budgeting and improving citizen security.”, highlighted Juan Aurelio Arevalo Miro Quezada, press director of El Comercio.
As in all versions, the purpose of the Assembly is to promote accountability and monitor compliance with commitments made by officials. For this reason, an email to [email protected] has been opened for those who wish to send additional questions to the Mayor.
Cooperation with neighboring countries
Before launching responses, the mayor stressed that timely neighborhood participation is key to quickly identify and resolve issues that arise daily in the district.
“Our statistical data suggests that communication with today's technological media is more participatory and collaborative than ever before. Through this we can know the needs of the society and act very quickly.”, he highlighted.
Regarding the concerns of the citizens, Alvarez, the integrated work with the neighbors means that the insecurity of the citizens in recent years, unlike other sectors of the capital, has been displaced by problems related to coexistence. He highlighted that last week San Borja received the Safe City Awards as one of the five safest districts in Lima.
“Safety was practically the only issue. That is why we are dedicated to it. After the epidemic, the [tenencia de] Pets were one of the main topics of discussion. Now the annoying noises. Topics rotate as we solve problems“, he pointed out.
What is the current strategy for managing noise pollution from commercial areas and vehicles? ¿
Question from Edgar Mulle Valencia
“When neighbors inform us of house parties, two or four gatherings are already over, the last one with a lot of noise. So, we are going to close the campus. That's why neighbors have a key role to play because it depends on how quickly they give notice to act. Regarding the sound of the horn, it is not possible to get support from the PNP, but we have constant communication operations.
When will you implement a veterinary center to sterilize pets? How to improve waste management?
Question by Augusto Díaz Martinez
We have three groups of volunteer animal lovers supported with their own resources. We are also doing sterilization and deworming. In San Borja, luckily, we don't have any street pets. Regarding recycling, work needs to be improved”
When can citizens observe the results of security measures?
Question by Sandra Luzmira Cortes Palacios
“Results are visible. Two days ago we were awarded third place in the Safe City Awards rankings. We have reactivated the security school, increased it from 900 guards at the start of the administration to 1,000 now and 390 cameras. We have aerial patrols with drones. In 2023, January and April Between the months, there were 19 attacks in San Borja, this year 3. In cell phone seizures, last year there were 86 cases and so far this year there are 39 cases, but next year we will be better.
When are ad spaces used for prevention? How to control overcrowding?
Question by Alejandro Villavicencio Mejia
“We received the “Golden Tatto” from Indesi to promote civil safety. In a month, we will sign a contract with Exidosa to better manage the street signs with the prevention message. As for overcrowding, there is nothing in San Borja. Regarding the social welfare housing (VIS) constructions, everything will be accepted after a thorough review. Out of 43 projects, 8 are pending review and we have requested cancellation in 2. We will not allow overcrowding.
What steps have been taken to deal with traffic congestion in the district?
Question by Isabel Chirinos Asted
“Many roads and places have been improved to provide more drainage. There has been a heavy traffic load since the classes started, and we are taking measures to solve the problem by changing the lanes and bike lanes. We are going to continue organizing, dividing and sharing bike lanes. “We have a plan to remove the left turn, But that's under evaluation.”
Has the municipality of San Borja considered re-establishing the Urbanito service for residents without access to public transportation?
Question by Patricia Castro Castillo
Not for now. Urbanito's estimates show that 99% of users who are not residents of San Borja queue at the Panamericana to travel in the opposite direction to San Ysidro in the morning and afternoon. That's why we can't pay for this operation which costs 800 thousand soles per month to hire vehicles and drivers.
When will the maintenance and improvement program for trails, sidewalks, berms, curbs, ramps and humps begin in the district?
Question by Patricia Arroyo
The project has been in the works for some time and we have a lot of activity. Here I would like to congratulate the neighbors who tell me in which areas the footpaths have deteriorated so that immediate action can be taken. If they call us today, we should be there in an hour max, if we don't do the other work we've already done. We have worked 13 thousand m2 on the slopes
How will your management regulate and control business growth in relation to usage, elevation and established parameters?
Question by Daniel Cardenas
We have permanent rules that we are going to enforce and that have not changed or are not within our plans to change. No intention of changing heights or parameters. There are neighbors who build knowingly disobey the municipality, and can act quickly when it's public space.
How to ensure compliance with participatory budgeting? How to improve elderly care?
Question by Juan Sotero Solorzano
We have workshops of all kinds, languages, dances, styles, cultural center for entrepreneurs. Two days ago we celebrated the anniversary of the Walker Tour and we were all old. Of course, I wish we had more spaces like Casita Miranda, a four-story building for the elderly.
What measures are you taking for the health and care of the residents of the district?
Gigi Herrera's question
Medical specialty clinics have provided more than 22,000 services to residents. Our health campaign has served 15,000 people. Regarding the polyclinic proposed in the contract with Essalud, we left it ready in 2018, but it had to be signed by the next administration, which was not done. Now we're back, we're resuming the decision to sign the contract, and we're going to sign it, I hope by June 1st.
Do you have a financial plan to develop recreational, sports and cultural workshops for new youth groups?
Question by Maria Fernanda Camacho, School Correspondent of Mater Christi College
We have improved the sports infrastructure as we have renewed all advertising contracts with private companies. We also built a front court at Rosa Toro. We have restored the light of the Lions Club and await the judicial decision to restore the playing area in Juan XXII
