By The Star Staff
Rural aqueducts and water purification systems that work with solar energy, community gardens, and beautification and landscaping programs are some of the initiatives that various communities in Caguas have developed through the collaborative model of community self-management that they share with the municipal administration of Mayor William Miranda Torres.
“We have a firm commitment to the model of community self-management that has allowed communities to be protagonists in the creation of solutions and in the decision-making that impacts their environment,” Miranda Torres said. “Through this model, citizen participation, sustainable development and resilience in communities are encouraged.”
The mayor highlighted that last fiscal year $545,452.49 was allocated to communities and rural aqueducts. The funds were part of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF), approved under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
In the first phase of funding, 52 community organizations were supported with a total of $104,000. Meanwhile, in the second phase, 60 organizations benefited with $150,000. Ten rural aqueducts received $291,452.49. Likewise, the municipality allocated $175,137.53 under the Citizen Participation Fund Program, focused on the acquisition of equipment for community centers, recreational areas and community beautification, promoting a safer and more functional environment for residents.
Among the most notable projects that reflect the success of the self-management model are: the organized community of the San Salvador neighborhood that has initiatives such as an ecological garden and its agricultural market De La Finca a tu Puerta, as well as a water purification system that works with solar energy, and the Resilience Center.
Likewise, the community of Caguas Norte II developed the pilot project Ornato en tu Comunidad, through which they are responsible for cleaning gutters, areas surrounding stormwater systems, and the disposal of pet waste, among others.
Other communities such as Buenos Aires Revive, La Unión and Santa Juana have also promoted projects to beautify and maintain common green areas, demonstrating the positive impact of community organization. The achievements were presented within the framework of the first Community Self-Management Congress, held last Friday at the Caguas Fine Arts Center. The event brought together community leaders and experts in the field to share experiences and knowledge that strengthen this particular model of participatory government.
The congress included conferences on youth entrepreneurship, the future of self-management, technology and community security, and the empowerment of community leaders. Attendees were also able to enjoy a virtual gallery that presented successful community projects.
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