Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay News - Local News

. The hotels and restaurants of Puerto Vallarta are on the list of the best ones of the world.
. Puerto Vallarta, a stage for international gastronomy
. Puerto Vallarta is consolidating itself in the business sector
. Authorities Commemorate Day of the Navy
. Seventh Family Week Celebration
. Mexicana Productivity Awards in Puerto Vallarta
. Spectacular Nuestra Belleza Finals
. Promotion of Private Investments and Tourism to Continue
. San Bernardino Donates Fire Trucks to Puerto Vallarta
. Proposal to Build a Public Market
. Recognition to Mexicana Airlines
. Exchange of statistics on North American Transportation (ETAN)
. Construction on Francisco Medina Ascencio Avenue Underway

The hotels and restaurants of Puerto Vallarta are on the list of the best ones of the world.
By Fidetur

Puerto Vallarta has one more time been acknowledged by the experts in the tourist industry on an international level through different hotel and restaurant properties which were listed in the most important tourist publication of the orb, Conde Nast Traveler, as part of a meticulous selection between the best ones of the world

This important magazine which just a few years ago gave Puerto Vallarta the distinction of being the Friendliest City in the World includes two hotels and one restaurant in its editions of this year 2005 as part of its recommendations. First of all we find the hotel Marriott Casamagna Puerto Vallarta on the Golden List in this year's special edition of the best lodging places in the world. The Marriott has been chosen as one of the recommended hotels for their readers and travelers.

The international edition Conde Nast Traveler also includes in its May edition of this year the Hotel Hacienda San Angel as one of the best new hotels on the planet on their lists of the best, as well as the restaurant Thierry Blouet Cuisine of the Author which is on the list of the most magnificent new restaurants of the orb.

With these acknowledgements Puerto Vallarta continues to position itself within the preferences of the international markets as a quality destination offering an excellent service infrastructure to its visitors and an incomparable natural beauty, combined with the warm-heartedness of its people, its picturesque town and the diversity of its tourist products.

Hoteles y restaurantes de Puerto Vallarta en las listas de los mejores del Mundo
By Fidetur

Puerto Vallarta es una vez mas reconocido por los conocedores de la industria turística en el ámbito internacional, a través de diferentes propiedades hoteleras y restaurantes que han sido enlistados como parte de una minuciosa selección entre los mejores del mundo dentro de la publicación turística mas importante del orbe, Conde Nast Traveller.

Esta importante revista que diera hace solo algunos años la distinción de La Ciudad mas Amigable del Mundo a Puerto Vallarta, en este 2005 incluye en sus ediciones a 2 hoteles y un restaurante como parte de sus recomendaciones. En primera instancia en la edición especial de este año de los mejores lugares para hospedarse en el mundo se encuentra presente en la Lista de Oro, el hotel Marriott Casamagna Puerto Vallarta seleccionándolo como uno de los hoteles recomendados a los lectores y viajeros.

Así mismo la publicación Internacional Conde Nast Traveller en su edición de mayo de este año incluyó dentro de sus listas de lo mejor, al hotel Hacienda San Angel como uno de los mejores nuevos hoteles del planeta, así como al restaurante Thierry Blouet Cocina de Autor dentro de la lista de los mas grandiosos nuevos restaurantes del orbe.

Con estos reconocimientos Puerto Vallarta sigue posicionándose en las preferencias de los mercados internacionales, como un destino de calidad, que ofrece a sus visitantes una excelente infraestructura de servicios y una incomparable belleza natural, combinada con la calidez de su gente, su pintoresco pueblo y la diversidad de sus productos turísticos.

Through the public relations program of the Bureau of Tourism and thanks to a high gastronomical level of our restaurant industry Puerto Vallarta was visited by the production team of the most important television channel dedicated to a first class gastronomy throughout America: "elgourmet.com". Thirteen exclusive programs were filmed using the scenery of the most beautiful natural scenery of this tourist destination and having one of the most acknowledged chefs of Puerto Vallarta as their guest.

El gourmet.com is the first Latin-American gastronomical network dedicating its program to lovers of fine lifestyle since the year 2000. The broadest gastronomical culture, the best wines and drinks, as well as the most exclusive tourist areas are featured in "elgourmet.com".

This television channel is received in more than 10 Latin American countries, including some Spanish-speaking sections of the United States of America and Puerto Rico, as well as southern Spain, through the main cable distribution channels (in México: Sky, DirecTV and Cable Digital). This series is called "Mare magnum from Mexico" and it will combine the best top-notch gastronomy (based on seafood). The chef and anchorman Thierry Blouet will be in charge and the filming will take place on the most beautiful beaches and sceneries of Puerto Vallarta.

These thirteen programs will generate a strong promotion of the destination, pointing out the top-notch gastronomy in Puerto Vallarta, in addition to its unequalled beauty and first class infrastructure. All this will continue to position us as the cradle of culinary art in Mexico and the world.

A través del programa de relaciones publicas del Fideicomiso de Turismo y gracias al alto nivel gastronómico de la industria restaurantera de esta ciudad, se encuentran en Puerto Vallarta desde este lunes producción del mas importante canal de televisión dedicado a la gastronomía de alto nivel en toda America, elgourmet.com, quienes realizaran trece exclusivos programas, utilizando de escenario los mas bellos paisajes naturales de este destino turístico y teniendo como invitado a uno de los chef mas reconocidos en Puerto Vallarta.

El gourmet.com es la primera señal gastronómica de Latinoamérica que desde el año 2000, dedica su programación a los amantes del buen vivir. La mas amplia cultura gastronómica, los mejores vinos y bebidas, así como las mas exclusivas zonas turísticas, tienen su lugar en "elgourmet.com".

Dicho canal televisivo llega a mas de diez países de Latinoamérica, incluyendo sectores de habla hispana de EEUU, Puerto Rico y Sur de España a través de las principales cadenas de distribución de cable (en México: Sky, DirecTV y Cable Digital). Esta serie se titula "Maremagnum desde México" y combinara la mas alta gastronomía (en base a frutos del mar) a cargo del chef y conductor Thierry Blouet, grabando en las playas y parajes mas bonitos de Puerto Vallarta.

Estos trece programas generarán una fuerte promoción del destino destacando el alto nivel de la gastronomía en Puerto Vallarta, además de su inigualable belleza e infraestructura de calidad, lo que nos seguirá posicionando como la cuna del arte culinario en México y en el mundo.

One of the market segments with the highest growth in the country is the business segment which generates an important economic income attracting tourists of the highest purchasing power. In this sense Puerto Vallarta begins to consolidate itself as one of the beach destinations with a major demand for groups.

Based on the tendency to satisfy the demands of a growing market the Secretary of Tourism of the state and the Bureau of Tourism of Puerto Vallarta managed to make this tourist destination the seat of the event MPM Meeting Place Mexico 2006 in its 4th edition. It is considered the most important national event in the segment of groups and conventions and is called the Convention Market.

This year the MPM will take place in the city of Merida, Yucatan, gathering more than 130 specialized buyers, presenting Puerto Vallarta as a special guest. Vallarta already organized a special presentation dinner out of gratitude and at the same time in order to promote the participation of buyers and professionals of conventions in the number four edition to be carried out in Puerto Vallarta from June 7th to 10th, 2006.

For the 2006 edition of the Meeting Place Mexico Vallarta seeks to exceed the number of attending buyers of this year and aims not only at surpassing 150 buyers, 65% of which would be foreign professionals and 35% national professionals, but also at succeeding in having 92 exhibitors from the most outstanding Mexican destinations, hotel chains and companies of the tourist service industry.

Uno de los segmentos de mercado de mayor crecimiento en el país es el de negocios, el cual genera una importante derrama económica al atraer turistas de mas alto poder adquisitivo. En ese sentido Puerto Vallarta se comienza a consolidar como uno de los destinos de playa con mayor demanda de grupos.

En base a la tendencia de satisfacer las demandas de un mercado creciente, la Secretaria de Turismo del Estado y el Fideicomiso de Turismo de Puerto Vallarta gestionaron para que este destino turístico de playa sea la sede del evento MPM Meeting Place México 2006 en su cuarta edición el cual es considerado el evento nacional mas importante en el segmento de grupos y convenciones, llamado el Tianguis de las Convenciones.

Este año el MPM se realizó en la ciudad de Mérida, Yucatán reuniendo a mas de 130 compradores especializados, presentando a Puerto Vallarta como el invitado especial ya que será la ciudad sede del próximo año, por lo que este destino a través del FIDETUR organizo una cena presentación especial para agradecer y a su vez promover la participación de los compradores y profesionales de las convenciones a la edición numero cuatro a realizarse del 7 al 10 de junio de 2006 en Puerto Vallarta.

Para la edición 2006 del Meeting Place México se pretende superar la cifra de compradores asistentes de este año, teniendo como meta rebasar los 150, de los cuales el 65 % serían profesionales extranjeros y 35% de nacionales, así como el de lograr tener a 92 expositores de los destinos, cadenas hoteleras y prestadores de servicios turísticos mas destacados en México.

On Thursday morning the port saw a burst of activity on the occasion of the commemoration of the Day of the Navy. The festivities kicked off at the deck of the Agustin Flores Contreras Sports Park, where a salute to the Mexican flag took place, a ceremony headed by Puerto Vallarta Naval Sector Commander, Rear admiral Juan Antonio Brahms Morales; and Secretary General of the State Government Hector Perez Plazola, attending the festivities as representative of Governor Francisco Javier Ramirez Acuña.

In attendance were also the director of API, Francisco Martinez Narváez, Port Captain Roberto Lopez Aispuro, Commander of the 41st. Military Zone Alfonso Hernandez Aldrete, and City Hall's Secretary General Antonio Lugo Morales, as representative of Mayor Gustavo Gonzalez.

Lieutenant Marta Rocio Aranda Garcia was in charge of delivering the official speech in which she made emphasis that "this day constitutes a vocation of nationalist commemoration, of independence and sovereignty proven by the Mexican people in the efforts and struggles that make up our history."

She said that the Mexican Navy has been an active part of the economic, political and social life of the country, and affirmed that the commitment of those who make up the Naval Sector is to Mexico, to its interests and the safeguarding of its wealth.

In turn, Hector Perez Plazola read the address issued by the President of Mexico Vicente Fox Quezada, which acknowledges the important work of the Navy in tasks such as the war against illegal drug traffic, among other actions.

In his address, the Mexican president stresses that "members of the Navy are role models of patriotism, honor and dignity" and exhorted them to continue working. Hector Perez took the opportunity to congratulate the Navy personnel on behalf of Governor Ramirez.

At the ceremony prizes were handed to the winners of sports tournaments held on the occasion of the Day of the Navy, in which the Naval Sector, the Military Zone and the City Hall participated.

Later, a boat parade took place on the waters of the bay, during which an offering of flowers was deposited in the ocean to honor those who died on the line of duty.

With a parade in which the participants of over twenty programs of Puerto Vallarta DIF System, the 7th Family Week officially opened. The parade was headed by the president of the DIF System, Gloria Cordova Gonzalez, accompanied by DIF Director Rosario Monroy, Administrator Aurora Elizalde, Assistance Programs Coordinator Claudia Parra and Assistance Infantile Development Centers Coordinator Teresa Gonzalez. Ladies from the Volunteer Ladies Committee also participated in the parade.

The Seventh Family Week is a means to promote family values, which are so important in order to strengthen family union and promote harmonious family relations, and to avoid problems that can affect them. The most important values being promoted this week are communication, respect, tolerance, trust and union.

After the parade, in a brief ceremony inside the City Hall, Gloria Cordova said that "in family we have the society that we all want. In the future we will see our children turned role models. We must work for this family with care and prevention". She exhorted DIF personnel to be carriers of a message, that through love, care and effort we can attain the family that we long for."

Mexicana de Aviacion, the first Mexican airline, holds in Puerto Vallarta its first continental event ever, to award recognition to the most outstanding travel agencies of North, South and Central America. About 200 travel agency representatives will attend the festivities. The announcement was made at closing of the edition.

The City of Puerto Vallarta and the Tourism Board are offering a welcome dinner party at the Main Plaza to airline executives and travel agencies, as a way of showing appreciation for choosing our destination to be seat of the event.

Previous to the gala dinner, Mayor Gustavo Gonzalez would meet with an executive of Mexicana to talk about the airline's plans involving Puerto Vallarta. A press conference was scheduled after the meeting.

In a press release issued by Mexicana's Public Relations Office, it was commented that Mexicana has been flying to Puerto Vallarta for over half a century, and it transports 150 000 passengers into this destination and has positioned it as an icon of sun and surf tourism that makes Mexico an international favorite in this segment.

"We aim at being the indow to the world for this wonderful destination, that's why we wanted our commercial allies to get together in this beautiful place, without doubt the best setting for travel agencies to receive recognition for their great performance" Mexicana's Corporate Commercial Director Sergio Allard said.

"Puerto Vallarta became known to the world thanks to the enormous promotion that accompanied the opening of the first international flight from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta. Indeed, Mexicana was the first airline ever to bring a jet plane to Vallarta. Today, we are the first airline to host a celebration of this magnitude here for travel agencies of the Americas" said Adolfo Crespo y Vivó, Mexicana's Director of Public Relations and Customer Services.

For three days, Mexicana would entertain its guests with various events and activities and award first, second and third prizes for productivity to agencies offering the airline's services. This event sets a precedent for Mexican airlines and shows how much Mexicana cares for rewarding its commercial allies.

Mexicana operates 24 flights a week connecting Puerto Vallarta with Mexico City, Dencer, Dallas and Oakland, besides operating charter flights for groups and conventions.

Mexicana Airlines is Mexico's leading airline with the most extensive international routes. Its recent partnership agreements with American Airlines, Lan Chile and Iberia, as well as with other global airlines such as Lufthansa, Varig and Air Canada among others, provide significant benefits to its passengers in the accrual and redemption of miles, access to executive lounges, broad connection possibilities, and coordinated schedules with an extensive network of routes. Mexicana has one of the highest levels of on-time departures and arrivals in the world, and its fleet is considered one of the most modern in the industry. From its operations hub in Mexico City's international airport, Mexicana flies to more than 50 destinations in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Nuestra Belleza pageant was a spectacular event which took place in our city last week, on various stages and closed with the splendorous finals at the Aquiles Serdan Amphitheater, also known as Los Arcos.

It was a formidable setting, ideal for the display of beauty and talent, a close competition among girls seeking to represent our state in the nationwide pageant next year.

The jury was made of personalities from the film and TV scene, tourism and communication, who were in charge of choosing Jalisco's beauty queen.

Mariana Meza Callejas was voted winner of the pageant, while Marcela Villarreal was named second runner up; and Grecia Ascencio Mejía was third runner up. Fourth place went to Laura Griselda Cortes Davalos.

A group of students majoring in International Commerce in the University of Arizona, headed by Professor Robert E. Tindall paid a visit to Mayor Gustavo Gonzalez, while participating in a three-day tour of Puerto Vallarta, aiming to get acquainted with the world of business and investments in Mexico and Latin America, as well as the relations with United States.

In a conversation that went on for over an hour, the mayor, professor and students exchanged points of view and commented on subjects regarding commerce, business, corporations, tourism, and above all, the role of municipal government in promoting public and private investments in the municipality.

Upon answering the question posed by a student, Mayor Gonzalez said investment in Puerto Vallarta is estimated at 300 million dollars, and remarked on the intense promotional work he has carried out in different market niches of United Sates in order to bring more tourists and investments to the destination.

He mentioned that last year Puerto Vallarta received a record number of visitors, by attracting 3.5 million tourists, and added that along with business and tourist sectors, the City is working to position Puerto Vallarta as the number one destination in Mexico.

"Puerto Vallarta's success is due to a unique beach scenario, with a very Mexican flavor where besides beaches, sun and sea, there are mountains, tropical jungle, rivers and creeks with an abundance of flora and fauna all around us." He also said that Puerto Vallarta is ranked among the safest and friendliest cities of Mexico, and all security forces maintain a good coordination to provide tranquility to both residents and visitors.

He added that with the support of both federal and state governments 200 million pesos a year are earmarked for public works, urban infrastructure and utilities, which has enabled an almost 100 % coverage as to water, sewer and power.

At the end of the conversation, the mayor expressed his interest in visiting the cities of Tucson and Phoenix, probably as soon as early June, and promised to visit the University of Arizona to establish cultural exchange and promote foreign investment and tourism in Puerto Vallarta as he has done in his previous trips.

The City of San Bernardino, California, has donated two fire trucks to the Fire Department of Puerto Vallarta. The trucks are equipped to respond to major contingencies. The donation was made within the framework of the union and collaboration that has been established between the two cities. In order to formalize the reception of the donation, Mayor Gustavo Gonzalez's Private Secretary Luis Alejandro Cerda Acuña and Fire Chief Braulio Eduardo Ramirez Garcia traveled to San Bernardino recently.

In a protocol ceremony last Monday, San Bernardino's Mayoress Judith Valles Lopez saw Luis Cerda and Braulio Ramirez, who in turn and as token of appreciation for the donation received, handed symbolic presents to the mayoress of San Bernardino. The first present was a miniature replica of the whale sculpture by Octavio Gonzalez, a symbol of Puerto Vallarta awarded to distinguished personalities in recognition to their support and collaboration.

The representative of Puerto Vallarta expressed the gratitude of the City for the donation of two fully equipped fire trucks that will serve very well in the face of an emergency. In turn, Commander Braulio Ramirez delivered a testimony of appreciation on behalf of Puerto Vallarta's Fire Department.

They both took the opportunity to say thank you to Doctor William Eich, a frequent visitor to Puerto Vallarta, whose drive made possible for these two cities to come together in important collaboration agreements.

During their stay in San Bernardino, the representatives of our city made the arrangements to bring the two fire trucks to Puerto Vallarta, which are expected to arrive in town soon.

It would be the solution to a problem that affects Puerto Vallarta: Armando Sojo Garza.

To the purpose of contributing to the strengthening of the local economy Jalisco Delegation of the Economy Ministry, is seeking to bring about a project to adapt a space with the characteristics of a public market, in order to regulate and formalize some of the irregular commerce in town.

A project of this kind has the advantage to enable the relocation of informal vendors and merchants, thus making them part of the formal economy, while solving one of the problems that affect Puerto Vallarta as a tourist destination.

Armando Sojo Garza Aldape, Delegate of the Economy Ministry for Jalisco, met with Mayor Gustavo Gonzalez Villaseñor and a group of businessmen last Tuesday, and presented the proposal to build a market, which requires in the first place, that the City should designate a land plot where the market would be built.

He said that the Economy Ministry has two million pesos earmarked for this project; the state government would participate with an equal sum, and the Municipality of Puerto Vallarta an equal amount, which can be cash or in this case a land plot, besides the investment private businessmen would be willing to make. He indicated that there is the proposal from the mayor to place the market on the River Cuale Island, but this of course would depend on the feasibility of the location and once authorized by the City Hall, ground would be broken within one month.

"The intent is to adapt a space where two types of merchants can be located: the established merchant s who would like to expand to an additional locale and the informal merchants who would like to turn formal."

He added that this would contribute to the gradual relocation of all the informal commerce that affects the city, which involves giving these people, the opportunity and the tools to incorporate into the formal sector of the economic activity. He reiterated that if approved by the City Hall, construction could begin this year and while planning to continue building such spaces that would end the problem of informal ambulatory commerce in the city.

He said there is a great disposition on the part of the government headed by Gustavo Gonzalez Villaseñor and the merchants or businessmen can organize to participate in the project through the Economy Promotion Office directed by Eduardo Garcia Joya.

The City of Puerto Vallarta and the Board of Tourism offered a reception to executives of Mexicana Airlines and the representatives of 270 travel agents from all over the Americas. They were here invited by the airline on the occasion of the Productivity Award Festivities.

It was certainly a wonderful reception at the Main Plaza, complete with Mexican delicatessen, tequila, folk dances by the Xiutla Ballet, and Charro demonstrations, as well as all the typical decorations of a traditional kermesse, which made the guests' delights. Mayor Gustavo Gonzalez addressed the audience and talked about the attractions of Puerto Vallarta. The mayor of Puerto Vallarta asked travel agents to promote the destination in their areas of influence to increase the inflow of visitors throughout the year. He said it is the joint efforts of all the sectors of Puerto Vallarta, just like those of Mexicana and the intensive promotional efforts of his administration, that make Puerto Vallarta an important beach destination worldwide.

He mentioned that this year approximately 300 million dollars will be invested in new hotel and commercial developments, besides the important investments being made in maritime and airport infrastructure. He also remarked on how his administration has promoted great works of infrastructure like the expansion of the Malecon, the construction of parking lots, the rescue of the historic center and the completion of the side lanes on Medina Ascencio Avenue, other important aspects in the city's consolidation.

In turn, Mexicana's Commercial Director Sergio Allard expressed his thankfulness for the hospitality and support that the City has given this important reunion and said the airline will continue to promote the destination as it always has, increasing the number of flights into Vallarta to bring more visitors, since "you can not imagine Mexicana without Puerto Vallarta" he said.

The agencies of Transportation and Statistics from Canada, the USA and Mexico held a work meeting in our city from the 21st to the 24th of June with the purpose of interchanging information, products and experiences regarding statistics. This meeting was organized by the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Data Processing (INEGI) and the Secretary of Communications and Transportation (SCT).

Specialist from the three nations participated in the meeting, thus enabling a huge advance on specific topics of technical-statistical interchange related to commerce, energy, environment, statistical disclosure and transportation by land or by sea.

Transport Canada and Statistics Canada participated in the event together with the US Census Bureau and the Department of Transportation on behalf of the United States of America and the Secretary of Communications and Transportation, the Mexican Institute of Transportation and the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Data Processing on behalf of Mexico.

One may indicate that as a result of the XVIII ETAN Interchange, held in Ottawa, Canada on June 24th, 2004, the three nations put the data base of the statistics of North American Transportation (BD-ETAN) on the Internet at the disposition of the users. It can be consulted in English, Spanish and French at: www.nats.sct.gob.mx/nats

Information referring to this event can be looked up at the webpage of the Institute on the Internet at: www.inegi.gob.mx

Del 21 al 24 de Junio las Agencias de Transporte y Estadística de Canadá, Estados Unidos y México, con el propósito de intercambiar información, productos y experiencias en materia de estadística, celebraron una reunión de trabajo en nuestra ciudad, misma que fue organizada por El Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI), y la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT).

En la reunión participaron espécialistas de las tres naciones, permitiendo con esto un gran avance en temas específicos de intercambio técnico-estadístico, relacionados con el transporte terrestre, marítimo y de comercio, energía, medio ambiente y divulgación estadística.

En el evento participaron organizaciones como Transport Canada y Statistics Canada; US Census Bureau y el Department of Transportation, por parte de Estados Unidos; la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, el Instituto Mexicano del Transporte y el Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática, por parte de México.

Cabe señalar que como resultado del XVIII Intercambio ETAN, celebrado en Ottawa, Canadá, en junio de 2004, las tres naciones pusieron a disposición de los usuarios, en Internet, la base de Datos de Estadísticas de Transporte de América del Norte (BD-ETAN), la cual puede consultarse en inglés, español y francés en: www.nats.sct.gob.mx/nats

La información referida a este evento puede ser consultada en la página del Instituto en Internet en: www.inegi.gob.mx

Construction on Francisco Medina Ascencio Avenue Underway
Provided by Ambito

Last Monday, construction on the side lanes of the Francisco Medina Ascencio Avenue kicked off, on the stretch between the maritime terminal and the Krystal Hotel. Works are estimated at 4 million pesos. Remberto Quintero Gutierrez, head of Municipal Public Works Department, told a press conference that the work underway is hydraulic pavement on the side lanes of the avenue, funded by the municipality, and expected to be completed by September this year. The contract for this work was awarded by the municipality to the company Cinco Contemporanea, S.A.

Quintero Gutierrez said that since this is a work funded by the municipality, the participation of the adjacent hotels is sought, with any contribution to make the project more viable and so that the municipality won't be the only one to carry with the cost of it. Quintero Gutierrez also informed that he met last week with state Secretary of Urban Development to get an update as to the situation of the solicitation for the bridges on El Salado estuary and Pitillal River, and assured that the solicitation will be issued soon, so the works can commence as soon as possible.

He said that the balance resulting from these works will be earmarked to the construction of the bridge to connect Mexico Avenue (Slaughterhouse- Mojoneras) and the avenue across Fluvial Vallarta to Plaza Caracol, since these are other strategic projects planned by this municipal administration.

The functionary added that it is important that the solicitation for the bridges be issued, every time that the permits to be processed before the federal authorities are already in progress and it is only left to sign the agreement between the city and the Urban Development Secretariat (Sedeur) which will be done in an extraordinary session of the City Council.

On other matters, Remberto Quintero also commented that he had been at the Water and Sanitation State Commission to find out about the status of the construction of three residual water treatment plants in Las Palmas, which as he found out show between 50 and 70% progress.

In this regard, he pointed out that these works are carried out thanks to funding from the Regional Development Fund, and that it is sought, should any surplus result from them, to be earmarked for the construction of the collectors of all three plants, according to their importance.

In the case of the sewer works at Boca de Tomatlán, he said there is a 20% advance in the works, without taking in consideration the construction of the water treatment plant, which is 90% completed. He estimated a four month completion time for the sewer. He said Seapal Vallarta is getting involved, as the agency responsible for the service to register users in the area, and to seek for funds to maintain the sewer.