The government delegate in the Canary Islands, Anselmo Pestana, today presided over the act of delivery of the works executed by the Canary Foundation World Biosphere Reserve La Palma under the grant granted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge for the repair of the damages caused by the volcanic eruptions in the hydraulic infrastructure of the island and at the exit of the service galleries in La Laguna de Barlovento.

The event took place at the headquarters of the Insular Directorate of the General Administration of the State (AGE) in La Palma, in the presence of the island director, Carlos García, and the president of the Cabildo de La Palma and the Canary Foundation World Biosphere Reserve La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, and was held after a prior visit to the works in La Laguna de Barlovento.

Specifically, this Monday the delivery of works has been signed to the municipalities of Barlovento, El Paso, Fuencaliente, Garafía, Los Llanos de Aridane, Puntagorda, San Andrés y Sauces, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Tazacorte and Tijarafe, as well as to the Insular Council of Aguas de La Palma and to Heritage of the Island Council of La Palma.

The actions delivered are part of the work financed through the direct grant granted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of the Government of Spain, through the National Parks Autonomous Agency, to the Canary Foundation World Biosphere Reserve La Palma, in the amount of 15 million euros, within the framework of Royal Decree-Law 20/2021, of 5 October, which adopts urgent support measures for the repair of the damages caused by the volcanic eruptions and for the economic and social reconstruction of the island of La Palma.

The government delegate in the Canary Islands has explained that so far, within the framework of this grant, 114 actions have been carried out, so he has expressed his “satisfaction”, since it has been a real operational challenge for the Canarian Foundation World Biosphere Reserve La Palma and has involved the collaboration of both the Island Council and the municipalities of the island.

“It’s about us seeing society improve thanks to these actions, which are 15 million euros, which is quite an important amount for the island. The Spanish Government is still here, it is still betting on the island, it is still betting on its growth, on its economic recovery. The data show it, the resources contributed in that growth show it and, in fact, it is the first administration that has put more resources. It is clearly the most powerful. But the second is the Island Council of La Palma and I want to congratulate the Council for that bet. The logical thing is that it would have been the Government of the Canary Islands, and it is not,” said Anselmo Pestana.

“Apart from this investment calculation, there are also the bets that have been made recently by the Government of Spain, such as the Vulcanological Center and the very important bet for the development of astrophysics on our island with the bet of 400 million euros for the investment of the TMT (telescope) if it finally comes to our island (…) If in the end this comes out not only the island is reinforced, the Canary Islands and Spain are also reinforced as a very great bet for astrophysics”, he added.

Since its concession, and in coordination with the fourteen municipalities and the Island Council, actions have been developed throughout the island’s geography, related to the sustainable management of water and energy, the conservation of heritage, the rehabilitation of trails and public spaces, the promotion of the territory (Biosphere Reserve) and the resources existing in it, which has allowed to contribute to the economic and social recovery of the island.