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Press Conference with President Claudia Chema Ombardo

Introduction and Purpose

• The press conference is held virtually, starting slightly before 10 AM to accommodate the media's schedule.

• President Claudia Chema Ombardo expresses gratitude towards the media for their role in informing the public of Baja California, emphasizing transparency and accountability.

Focus on Mexicali

• The president welcomes Mexicali's mayor, Norma Bustamante, highlighting the importance of today's discussion centered around issues affecting Mexicali.

• A significant topic of concern is road maintenance, specifically addressing potholes in the city as a priority for local residents.

Road Rehabilitation Program

• A collaborative effort with local governments aims to initiate a comprehensive strategy for repairing main and secondary roads in Mexicali. This includes both immediate patching and long-term rehabilitation efforts.

• The program titled "Calle Seguras, Familias Seguras" will focus on improving safety and dignity in transportation within communities through extensive roadwork.

Investment Details

• An estimated investment of 750 million pesos from state and municipal governments will be allocated for this initiative, covering over 1 million square meters of roadway improvements in Mexicali alone.

• Specific funding breakdown includes over 110 million pesos dedicated solely to high-impact road rehabilitation projects within the valley area of Mexicali.

Historical Impact

• This program represents an unprecedented level of investment in road infrastructure for Baja California’s capital, aiming to enhance mobility significantly across various neighborhoods.

• Upcoming works include major routes such as State Highway 8 and other critical areas that have been frequently requested by residents for improvement.

Bacheo y Obras Públicas en Mexicali

Introducción a las Demandas de la Población

• La problemática de los baches es reconocida como un tema municipal, no solo estatal. Se enfatiza que no se debe culpar a otros niveles de gobierno por esta situación.

• Se han realizado obras significativas en Mexicali, incluyendo Islas Agrarias y Bulevar Gómez Morín, pero aún persiste la necesidad de mejorar el bacheo.

Proyectos Actuales y Futuras Iniciativas

• Actualmente hay 17 obras en proceso dentro de la ciudad y dos en el Valle de Mexicali, con un enfoque en mejorar la infraestructura vial.

• Se están interviniendo cinco unidades deportivas para prepararse para el Mundial de Fútbol, destacando la importancia del deporte en la comunidad.

Modernización y Mantenimiento de Espacios Públicos

• Se están llevando a cabo 17 proyectos de modernización del alumbrado público en parques, buscando crear espacios más seguros para los ciudadanos.

• Un programa estructurado ha comenzado este año para rehabilitar y pavimentar cerca de 605 mil metros cuadrados de vialidades con una inversión significativa.

Coordinación con el Gobierno del Estado

• La colaboración con el gobierno estatal incluye el uso de maquinaria especializada para mejorar las capacidades operativas en trabajos viales. Esto se traduce en una mayor cobertura y capacidad correctiva.

• El director de obras públicas detalla que se están ejecutando diversas obras relacionadas con alumbrado público y rehabilitación de parques, además del reciclaje asfáltico que está siendo implementado actualmente.

Detalles Específicos sobre Obras

• Las obras incluyen mejoras al alumbrado público tipo LED en varias colonias y parques públicos distribuidos por toda la ciudad, promoviendo seguridad tanto en espacios recreativos como viales.

• El programa actual también contempla un enfoque intensivo hacia el bacheo mecánico y manual, asegurando que se atiendan las necesidades inmediatas del mantenimiento urbano.

Investment in Infrastructure Projects

Overview of Current Interventions

• The speaker outlines 16 neighborhoods currently undergoing interventions as of January 2026, emphasizing a commitment to enhancing road maintenance through pothole repairs.

• A significant investment is being made in various infrastructure projects, including reconstruction, rehabilitation, and paving works totaling 747 million pesos.

Specific Project Details

• A package of ongoing works includes an anti-pandemic initiative with an investment of 158 million pesos aimed at rehabilitating 93,000 square meters. Additionally, a recycling asphalt program will cover 237,000 square meters with an investment of 142 million pesos.

• Mechanical and manual pothole repairs are budgeted at 51 million pesos, contributing to a total investment of approximately 500 million pesos for over 600,000 square meters of rehabilitation work.

Coordination and Approval Processes

• The speaker mentions the importance of coordinating efforts between state and municipal governments to address social needs effectively in areas requiring immediate attention. This coordination involves prioritizing regions with the most significant deficits.

• Questions arise regarding the approval status of these projects by the Mexicali Council; it is confirmed that all mentioned works are already approved or in action for public infrastructure development in 2026.

Community Engagement and Requests

• Citizens can submit requests for street paving through the Urbanization Board if their streets are not included in current plans; this process ensures community involvement in local infrastructure decisions.

• Ongoing projects have been developed based on community participation and feedback from neighborhood committees regarding requested roadworks through the Urbanization Board's initiatives.

Upcoming Initiatives and Citizen Participation

• The initial focus areas for upcoming work include neighborhoods like Solidaridad and surrounding zones where additional pothole repairs will be conducted alongside water commission activities to ensure comprehensive improvements.

• There is mention of a participatory budgeting scheme allowing citizens to vote on proposed projects when paying property taxes; results will be announced in March regarding which community-selected projects will proceed next year.

Infrastructure Development in Mexicali

Addressing Social Inequalities through Infrastructure

• The Corazones program targets areas with social lag, focusing on regions lacking basic services like water. This includes neighborhoods such as Santorales and San Elizabeth, where potable water and drainage systems are being introduced for the first time.

• The initiative aims to provide complete pavement in these areas, emphasizing that this is not a mere resurfacing but new paving where none existed before.

Quality of Materials and Maintenance Concerns

• Water is identified as a significant adversary to asphalt durability; it can cause damage over time by seeping into the material. However, high-quality materials are being used to ensure longevity, potentially lasting up to 10 years under normal conditions.

• Despite the quality of materials, ongoing maintenance will be necessary, especially in high-traffic areas. The focus here is on internal roads within neighborhoods which typically experience lower traffic volumes.

Progress and Future Goals

• Current efforts aim to improve transportation efficiency across Mexicali by addressing potholes and enhancing road conditions significantly—targeting an estimated 20-25% improvement in paved surfaces citywide.

• Optimism surrounds the potential benefits for residents; improved road conditions could enhance travel safety for over 50% of daily commuters in affected neighborhoods. Plans are underway to expand these improvements further throughout the city.

Project Timelines and Community Engagement

• Questions arise regarding project timelines; officials emphasize that work is ongoing but may face delays due to weather conditions affecting pavement work schedules. Clear communication about start and end dates for projects is prioritized to manage community expectations effectively.

• There’s a commitment from local authorities to maintain transparency about project progress while ensuring timely completion of initial phases within set deadlines (e.g., 45 days). Subsequent phases will follow based on assessments of additional needs across different zones in Mexicali.

Collaboration with Local Businesses

• Partnerships with local businesses are being established for urban beautification projects, including rehabilitation of public spaces like medians along major thoroughfares (e.g., Bolivar 1810). These collaborations involve agreements on responsibilities ranging from total space adoption to contributions towards planting trees or other enhancements.

Discussion on Boulevard Abelardo L. Rodríguez and Security Perception

Overview of Recent Meeting Outcomes

• The meeting held two days prior yielded positive results with local entrepreneurs interested in joining the program focused on Boulevard Abelardo L. Rodríguez.

• The discussion included a mention of the mayor's agenda, indicating ongoing communication regarding security issues.

Addressing Security Concerns

• A significant concern raised was the perception of safety, which is a constitutional right for citizens to feel secure in their city.

• Questions were posed about potential miscommunication regarding police academy requirements and its impact on local safety initiatives.

Strategies for Improving Public Safety Perception

• The governor emphasized that there is no conflict with municipal authorities; rather, they are working collaboratively to enhance public safety.

• An institutional strategy was introduced aimed at increasing police presence in communities through direct engagement with citizens, moving beyond patrol vehicles.

Multifactorial Approach to Crime Prevention

• The governor highlighted that improving public perception of safety involves addressing multiple factors, including effective law enforcement responses to reported crimes.

• There has been a slight improvement in public perception metrics from 78 to 76 over the last quarter, indicating progress but acknowledging more work is needed.

Police Academy Classification Challenges

• Discussions around the police academy revealed that certain federal requirements must be met before it can achieve classification A status necessary for initial training programs.

• Specific criteria include having qualified instructors and adequate facilities such as shooting ranges and dormitories, which are currently lacking in Mexicali’s smaller academy classified as C.

Path Forward for Police Training Initiatives

• Efforts are being made to expedite compliance with federal standards so that the local academy can eventually provide comprehensive training programs.

Police Recruitment and Training in Mexicali

Current Police Needs in Mexicali

• The need for police officers in Mexicali is critical, with a state-level requirement of 5,000 officers. Currently, there is a shortfall of nearly 800 agents specifically for Mexicali.

• A new training course for municipal police began on February 25, 2026, with 25 agents currently registered. The academy has the capacity to train up to 450 officers in one session.

Funding and Resources

• The funding structure for the police academy includes both state and federal resources. Federal support accounts for approximately 51% of the budget, amounting to around 25 million pesos annually.

• Financial allocations cover various expenses such as faculty salaries, cadet meals during their six-month training period, and scholarships aimed at reducing dropout rates.

Scholarship Initiatives

• To improve retention rates among recruits, the scholarship amount was increased from 6,000 to 12,000 pesos for the year 2026. This initiative aims to ensure more candidates complete their training successfully.

Investigations into Public Safety Issues

Calls for Accountability

• Questions arose regarding the involvement of officials in investigating public safety issues related to mass graves. There are concerns about whether key figures have physically visited investigation sites.

• The governor emphasized that while investigations are conducted by an autonomous body (the Attorney General's Office), she requested thorough inquiries into sensitive matters affecting public safety.

Importance of Field Presence

• It was highlighted that investigations must be comprehensive and professional to clarify ongoing security issues.

• The governor stressed that effective security management requires presence on-site rather than solely administrative oversight.

Desalination Plant Financing Transparency

Changes in Funding Structure

• Recent discussions revealed that financing for the Playa de Rosarito desalination plant has shifted from private investment to public funding. This change is expected not to impact water tariffs for coastal residents.

• Previously structured as a public-private partnership where private investments directly affected water costs; now it relies entirely on public resources which should alleviate financial burdens on citizens.

Water Supply and Financing in Baja California

Impact of Federal and State Resources on Water Projects

• The construction of the plant is funded by federal and state resources, ensuring no financial stress for citizens. This contrasts with private funding scenarios where significant costs would be incurred.

• A comparison shows that while a project could cost 93.267 million, the financing requested (2.960 million plus interest) totals only 9.740 million, highlighting a substantial difference in financial impact.

Public vs Private Funding Implications

• The governor emphasizes that privatizing water transforms it from a right into a commodity, whereas public funding guarantees water supply for at least the next 30 years without additional costs to citizens.

• In this model, contractors may still be involved through bidding processes; however, the primary source of payment remains federal budget resources rather than direct payments to private entities for project initiation.

Recent Developments in Water Concessions

• Recent meetings revealed plans for Tijuana and Mexicali to receive federal water concessions directly, eliminating reliance on irrigation districts that previously sold water. This decision aims to streamline operations and reduce costs for these municipalities.

• Questions remain regarding operational responsibilities, estimated volumes of water supplied under this new concession system, and potential savings for Tijuana and Mexicali as they transition away from previous arrangements.