SESIÓN DEL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL DE GUAYAQUIL # 170 - 14 DE MAYO DEL 2026 #GUAYAQUIL

Community Health Services in Guayaquil

Personal Experiences with Healthcare

• A speaker shares their positive experiences at the Hospital Bicentenario, highlighting that they have saved between $800 to $1,000 through various medical services received there.

• An anecdote is shared about a woman from Santa Lucía who enjoys the healthcare services and has developed a friendly rapport with the doctors.

• The speaker emphasizes significant health improvements due to access to free medical care, particularly for low-income individuals.

Pride in Local Services

• The speaker expresses pride in Guayaquil's healthcare services and acknowledges the municipality's efforts in providing support to neighboring areas.

Sports as a Tool for Social Change

Importance of Sports

• The mayor discusses how sports can transform lives and rebuild social fabric, emphasizing its role as a fundamental pillar for community development.

• Celebrations are mentioned regarding Guayaquil being named the American Capital of Sport 2026, showcasing community engagement and joy among children and neighborhoods.

Municipal Council Session Overview

Introduction of Council Members

• The session begins with greetings from council members and acknowledgment of viewers following on social media platforms.

• Secretary María José Acuña is introduced as part of the municipal council meeting.

Agenda Items Discussion

• Confirmation of attendance by 13 council members establishes quorum for conducting official business during this session.

Modifications to Meeting Agenda

Proposed Changes

• A motion is raised by council member Juanita Montero to modify the agenda to include licenses requested by fellow councilors Ana Fuentes Condoy and Shirley Aldaz Malavé.

Legal Matters Addressed

• Additional agenda items include legal reports concerning mediation agreements involving local consortia related to urban waste management processes.

Approval Process for Agenda Modifications

Voting on Changes

• The municipal council unanimously approves modifications to the agenda, reflecting collaborative decision-making among members.

Moving Forward with Agenda Items

• The secretary proceeds with discussing point one of the modified agenda regarding previous meeting minutes.

Authorization for Contract with Circular EP

Overview of the Agreement

• The agreement involves the Corporación Andina de Fomento, the Municipal Government of Guayaquil, and the Public Municipal Company for Circular Economy.

• The contract pertains to a free transfer of goods to support the Public Municipal Company for Parks and Green Areas in Guayaquil.

Importance of Circular Economy

• The circular economy aims to extend product life cycles, minimizing waste generation through sustainable production and consumption practices.

• Emphasizes that addressing environmental impact is crucial in today's consumer-driven society; it’s not just a trend but essential for ecological sustainability.

Human Impact on Climate Change

Discussion on Global Warming

• Current global warming is largely attributed to excessive consumption patterns driven by capitalism, leading to significant environmental degradation.

• Modern appliances have shorter lifespans compared to older models, reflecting a detrimental consumption model that exhausts natural resources.

Future Generations' Concerns

• The speaker expresses concern for future generations regarding resource sustainability and environmental health.

• Highlights the establishment of Circular EP as a vital initiative under current administration aimed at improving waste management in Guayaquil.

Education and Awareness in Sustainability

Community Engagement

• Recent events with students show growing awareness among youth about environmental issues, fostering responsible citizenship.

• An educated society can resist misleading political narratives about sustainability initiatives like circular economy practices.

Recognition of Leadership Vision

• Acknowledges the mayor's vision in promoting circular economy principles within municipal governance.

Strengthening Green Areas Management

Focus on Urban Greenery

• Emphasizes the importance of enhancing green areas management as part of urban planning efforts in Guayaquil.

Technical Cooperation Agreement

• Discusses points 3.1 and 3.2 related to strengthening public parks through technical cooperation agreements with CAF (Corporación Andina de Fomento).

Financial Support for Waste Management Initiatives

Funding Details

• A non-reimbursable financial contribution from CAF amounting to $490,000 will fund consultancy services aimed at improving waste management strategies.

Long-term Goals

• This funding will facilitate better planning and execution of solid waste management projects critical for urban sustainability.

Support from Council Members

Endorsements

• Council members express their support for motions related to enhancing waste management systems without incurring municipal debt.

Trust Building with International Organizations

• Recognizes that strengthened technical management reflects positively on Guayaquil's reputation before international bodies like CAF.

International Cooperation for Waste Management in Guayaquil

Overview of the Initiative

• The international cooperation agreement amounts to $490 million, which will not incur debt for Guayaquil. It aims to establish technical foundations for waste management and meet health goals outlined in the city's Development and Territorial Planning Plan.

• Collaborating with CAF (Development Bank of Latin America) provides access to high-quality engineering studies for future construction bids, promoting a more environmentally friendly and sustainable waste management model.

Importance of Innovation

• Emphasizing innovation, particularly through circular economy principles, is crucial. The partnership with CAF is expected to create new development opportunities for Guayaquil.

• Recognition is given to the team behind this operation, including Circular EP and external financing teams, who are essential in providing resources and generating technical studies that enhance opportunities for the city.

Long-term Vision

• Support for this initiative aligns with Mayor Quiles Álvarez's vision and long-term territorial planning aimed at improving life quality for future generations rather than just focusing on upcoming elections.

• Advocating support for the CAF agreement emphasizes growth in an environmentally friendly manner as a priority.

Legal Considerations

• Acknowledgment of legal precautions necessary due to the non-reimbursable nature of international cooperation. Ensuring a legally sound process is vital.

• A formal request is made to involve the Municipal Attorney's Office in reviewing legal reports related to compliance with specific articles of public finance laws.

Evolving Waste Management Practices

• Highlighting that urban practices must evolve; what worked 20 years ago may now be inefficient. Public-private partnerships are essential when receiving funds without repayment obligations.

• Proposing changes in how citizens dispose of waste by moving away from traditional methods that lead to disorder during collection times.

Recommendations for Improvement

• Suggestion that institutions like Circular EP implement pilot programs using plastic containers for waste classification at residential areas, allowing recyclables to be sorted properly before collection.

• Advocating a more organized approach where garbage collection occurs container by container rather than relying on residents placing bags at curbsides, aiming to reduce street littering despite regular collections.

Conclusion

• The motion presented regarding these initiatives was unanimously approved by the municipal council, indicating strong support towards enhancing waste management systems in Guayaquil.

Renewal of Guayaquil's Membership in ICLEI

Proposal for Membership Renewal

• Concejal Blanca López proposes the renewal of Guayaquil's membership in the ICLEI network, emphasizing its importance for local governments focused on sustainability.

Strategic Benefits

• The membership is described as a strategic tool to enhance institutional capacities and access international financing, specialized technical assistance, and global positioning in sustainability networks.

Environmental Commitments

• The proposal aims to support Guayaquil’s compliance with environmental policies and climate commitments through enhanced collaboration and resources.

Unanimous Support

• The motion presented by concejala Blanca López receives unanimous support from fellow council members, indicating strong consensus on the issue.

Discussion on Traffic Safety Measures

Legislative Report Review

• The council discusses legislative report CDCM GADMG 2026-024 regarding the proposed location of a monument honoring Ángel Oyola García, highlighting community engagement in public spaces.

Condolences for Traffic Victim

• Concejal Manolo Romero expresses condolences for Jaime Pacheco, a traffic accident victim, underscoring the urgency of addressing safety concerns at critical locations like kilometer 14.5 on La Costa road.

Call for Action on Safety Reports

• Romero urges authorities to act upon favorable reports from ATM regarding pedestrian safety measures needed at high-risk areas where accidents have occurred frequently.

Urgent Need for Pedestrian Safety Solutions

Current Risks Identified

• A report indicates that kilometer 14.5 lacks safe pedestrian crossings despite high foot traffic demand, posing significant risks especially to vulnerable groups.

Recommendations from Technical Reports

• It is recommended that an immediate installation of a signalized pedestrian crossing be implemented until a permanent elevated crossing can be constructed.

Community Response and Responsibility

Urging Immediate Action

• Romero appeals to the mayor and council members to prioritize installing traffic lights or other safety measures immediately following recent fatalities in the area.

Historical Context of Safety Concerns

• He highlights that this ongoing issue has resulted in multiple fatalities over years, stressing the need for urgent action based on previous reports dating back to 2010.

Moment of Silence for Victims

Honoring Lives Lost

• A minute of silence is requested by Romero in memory of Jaime Pacheco and others who have lost their lives due to inadequate road safety measures.

This structured summary captures key discussions from the transcript while providing timestamps linked directly to relevant sections.

Approval of Legislative Report for Monument to Ángel Oyola García

Introduction of the Motion

• The motion presented by a council member seeks approval for a legislative report recommending the location of a future monument in honor of tenor Ángel Oyola García, recognized as Guayaquil's first tenor.

Cultural Significance

• Councilor Terry Álvarez supports the motion, emphasizing that honoring Oyola García is crucial for preserving Guayaquil's cultural memory and recognizing distinguished citizens.

• Recognizing Ángel Oyola García is framed as valuing those who have enriched the city's cultural identity through art and music.

Importance of Culture in Urban Development

• The speaker argues that culture is essential to a city's development, contributing to its identity and history. Public monuments strengthen community belonging and preserve cultural legacies for future generations.

• Acknowledgment of Guayaquil’s dynamic nature includes its rich cultural heritage, reinforcing the importance of this recognition for enhancing the city’s sound heritage.

Voting Process

• The motion was put to vote and approved unanimously by council members, reflecting strong support for honoring Oyola García.

Legal Authorization for Mediation Agreement

Introduction of New Agenda Item

• The session moves on to discuss legal authorization related to mediation with Software One Ecuador Soluciones S.A. and Big Branch S.A., as outlined in legal report DAJCP 2026-2733.

Concerns About Violence in Guayaquil

• Councilor Arturo Escala raises concerns about recent violence affecting the city, highlighting public safety issues despite municipal limitations on security responsibilities.

• Escala calls upon government authorities to enhance security measures using available resources like vehicles and personnel from Segura EP.

Motion Regarding Mediation Agreement

• Escala motions for council awareness regarding a legal report recommending mediation agreement signing, which requires legislative authorization per local regulations.

Discussion on Documentation Process

Need for Timely Information

• Councilor Nachóez expresses concern over receiving documentation late, advocating for timely access to information so that council members can make informed votes.

Voting Stance Announcement

• Nachóez announces an intention to abstain from voting due to insufficient time to review extensive documentation provided just before the meeting.

Conclusion of Session

Final Votes on Motions

• Following discussions, votes are cast regarding both motions; while some members abstain due to procedural concerns, others support them leading to majority approvals.

Adjournment

• The session concludes with no further agenda items remaining. Gratitude is expressed towards all attending councilors with plans set for reconvening next Thursday.