**Tecate Negotiates Massive Debt with Issstecali**
The city of Tecate is currently engaging in negotiations to manage a substantial debt of 1.4 billion pesos owed to the Issstecali, the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers. According to Román Cota Muñoz, the mayor of Tecate, efforts are underway to address the financial obligations and alleviate the impact on local workers.
To date, the Issstecali has retained 14 million pesos from state contributions earmarked for the municipality, equating to just 1% of the overall debt that Tecate owes. This withholding of funds is part of a move to cover unpaid contributions. The broader financial strain on Issstecali is significant, as municipalities and other governmental entities across the region owe about 600 million pesos to the institution. This mounting debt is influencing the institution’s ability to provide essential services to its members and delaying retirement processes due to resource shortages.
In light of these challenges, Cota has emphasized the city’s commitment to resolving the debt crisis for the benefit of municipal employees who rely on the services offered by Issstecali.
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**Additional Update:**
**Baja California Faces Public Health and Safety Challenges**
The state of Baja California is confronting multiple public health and safety issues, coinciding with the financial woes impacting its municipalities. A notable increase in tuberculosis cases has been reported, making Baja California the state with the highest incidence of the disease. This is particularly concerning within the eastern region of Tijuana, highlighting the need for an improved healthcare system, especially for those living with HIV.
Additionally, the security of residents is under scrutiny as local authorities in Tecate have announced plans to implement sobriety checkpoints as part of a “safe December” campaign. In other public service developments, a proposal remains under consideration for implementing a 65-peso fee for waste collection in Tecate, aimed at improving municipal services.
In Tijuana, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection plans to roll out a crime prevention program in local high schools, focusing on continuous patrols in educational institutions. Meanwhile, the state continues to experience displacement due to violence, particularly with people from Sinaloa seeking asylum in the United States.
These public health and safety efforts underscore the region’s ongoing commitment to protecting and improving the quality of life for its citizens amid financial and social challenges.