**Uncovering Unlicensed Hotels in La Paz**
In a recent investigation conducted in Cerritos, La Paz, authorities discovered three hotels operating without the necessary permits, including licenses for alcohol sales. The Mayor of La Paz, Milena Quiroga Romero, highlighted these irregularities, emphasizing the importance of compliance with local regulations. Utilizing the “Visor Urbano,” a digital tool offered by the City Council that provides information about property taxes, construction licenses, and land types, officials identified several hotels built in zones not designated for such developments.
Abimael Ibarra Abundez, the Secretary-General of the La Paz City Council, explained that businesses must be current on their property taxes to maintain valid operating licenses. Two hotels reportedly addressed some discrepancies but faced an immediate halt on alcohol sales due to the absence of a proper license. Among these, Cerritos Beach Inn was positioned on two properties, with only part officially recognized as constructed.
Significant underreporting of construction values was noted, further diminishing the required tax payments and placing undue financial strain on local resources. Large, luxurious buildings were often classified as “rustic land,” limiting tax liabilities, despite their extensive and developed attributes.
The need for sustainable and controlled urban development has become critical. The rapid growth without appropriate municipal planning and resource provision, especially water, electricity, and waste management, poses a significant risk. Specialists in sustainable development pointed out that without a properly ratified Urban Development Plan (PDU), swollen real estate ventures continue to outpace necessary infrastructure, risking inadequate services for residents and visitors alike.
**Additional Insights: Emerging Challenges in Sustainable Development**
As La Paz and surrounding areas like Cerritos face soaring growth in tourism and real estate, local council leaders and development planners are increasingly concerned about sustainable practices. There is an urgent call for a harmonized approach between high-density tourist accommodations and the ecological needs of the coastal regions.
Reports highlight the indiscriminate construction in vulnerable areas, pending endorsements of legal plans to guide expansion. The local government sees the approval of the PDU as a necessary step, placing a spotlight on the urgency to align developmental ambitions with environmental and infrastructural capacities.
The future of development in Cerritos and other rapidly growing regions will likely depend on achieving such balance, fostering investment in a responsible and legally compliant manner, ensuring that rapid economic gains do not eclipse long-term sustainability and community well-being.