### Business Organizations Seek to Aid Homeless Individuals with Fidem Funds
In a concerted effort to address the issue of homelessness, business organizations in Baja California are planning to use resources from the Fideicomiso Empresarial (Fidem) to support homeless individuals, particularly those struggling with addiction. According to Julián Palombo Saucedo, President of the National Chamber of Commerce Services and Tourism (Canaco Servytur) in Tijuana, the program involves voluntarily admitting 500 homeless individuals to various rehabilitation centers for a period of three months.
“This initiative is coordinated and supported by different rehabilitation centers, with assistance from CDT and CCE,” stated Palombo Saucedo. The goal is to not only aid these individuals in their recovery but also to reclaim and restore tourist areas.
The initiative, scheduled to commence next month, underscores the urgency of the situation. The cost of attending to each person will be approximately 17,000 pesos, totaling around 8.5 million pesos, which will be provided by Fidem. “Ultimately, these are resources contributed by us, the business community, through taxes, and a percentage is returned for projects that benefit the general public,” added Palombo Saucedo.
In addition to the support from business organizations, the program will also involve the Secretariat of Tourism. Upon securing the necessary funds, further coordination with the Baja California Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSCBC), the Municipal Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPCM), and the Baja California State Human Rights Commission (CEDHBC) will be sought.
“It must be a voluntary process; we cannot use force to transport them,” emphasized Palombo Saucedo, highlighting areas like the Tijuana border, Otay, San Ysidro, Chaparral, Avenida Revolución, and the Arts Market as key locations for implementing the program.
### Secondary Article: Inclusion of Sheltering and Assistance Programs in Tijuana
As homelessness continues to be a pressing issue in Tijuana, various initiatives are being launched to provide immediate and long-term assistance to those in need. Recently, a community-based athletic event was organized to distribute food to shelters and foster homes across the city. Additionally, there have been calls to relocate elderly individuals abandoned by their families from high-risk areas to safer environments.
The local government has also noted an increase in federal funding to Baja California, receiving nearly 21,937 million pesos by June of last year, to support various public services and infrastructure needs. In parallel, the construction industry is preparing for potential changes in work hours, strategizing on new technological and operational efficiencies.
Tijuana is not only focusing on social issues but also promoting its cultural and sporting events. The city is gearing up for the Binational Half Marathon between San Diego and Tijuana, which will take place on September 15, 2024. On the same note, local sports teams are restructuring following recent competitions, and significant safety reviews are being undertaken in popular areas like the Tijuana malecón to ensure the wellbeing of visitors and residents alike.
Efforts to assist the vulnerable and rehabilitate tourism-focused areas remain a high priority, with local government and businesses working collaboratively to enhance the quality of life and security in Tijuana.