**PAN Councilors in Mexicali File Complaint Over Neglected Community Center**
Councilors from the PAN party in Mexicali have officially filed a complaint with the Municipal Inspectorate to address the deteriorating state of the Los Naranjos Community Development Center, which is intended for the Pilares program. The facility has reportedly suffered from neglect and has become occupied by so-called “squatters.”
Manuel Rudecindo García highlighted that the council approved the installation of the Pilares program at 15 different centers, but more than half of these were found to be in poor condition. In particular, the Los Naranjos center has been compromised. When attempting to access the facility, officials were denied entry by residents claiming they had permission from the city to reside there.
García further explained, “During our documentation visit, we unexpectedly encountered people living in the facility. They claimed they had been there for months and mentioned a woman named Ariana Gómez, a leader of a local activist group, as having possession of the municipal property, arguing that the municipal government had promised it to them.”
Sandra Cota, another PAN councilor, criticized the municipal authorities for their inaction over the maintenance of these centers, which are intended for public use. Since the time current Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda was the municipal president of Mexicali, there has been little to no effort or interest from the government to prioritize the upkeep of these centers. “These facilities are in complete neglect and those that operate are not maintained properly. They haven’t received proper care for the past five years,” Cota asserted.
**Municipal Response Tied to Dispute at Los Naranjos**
José Ramón López Hernández, director of Municipal Social Welfare in Mexicali, responded to the complaints filed by PAN councilors. He stated that he did not authorize the occupation of the Los Naranjos facility by squatters. López Hernández plans to visit the center in the coming days to communicate with the occupants and request they vacate the premises, as the space is planned to be developed for the Pilares program.
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**Additional News on Mexicali’s Community Centers**
The issue of neglected community centers in Mexicali has drawn attention from several quarters. Recent independent reviews showed that similar centers across Mexicali are facing significant maintenance backlogs, with basic infrastructure issues such as broken windows, leaking roofs, and lack of essential utilities.
There’s growing concern over the safety and utility of these spaces meant for community development and social activities. Critics of the current administration emphasize the need for a comprehensive plan to refurbish and secure these community centers, advocating for regular inspections and a dedicated local task force to oversee the maintenance and proper utilization of these public assets.
As the situation stands, the debate continues between local government officials and community activists over the best path forward to resolve the occupancy and neglect issues at facilities like the Los Naranjos center.