The “Corazones” program, driven forward by Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, continues to bring hope to vulnerable communities across the state. Thanks to this initiative, 69,000 residents now benefit from paved streets, 21 schools have been renovated, and over 6,300 children receive meals in safe, dignified spaces.
Governor Ávila Olmeda noted that between 2020 and 2022, more than 341,000 residents in Baja California rose out of poverty, the outcome of a comprehensive social justice strategy. This achievement places the state as the second lowest in national poverty rankings.
During the same period, extreme poverty also declined, with 8,000 people seeing major improvements in their living conditions.
“Under Francisco Vega’s administration, poverty peaked at 23%. Today, that number is down to 13%. This isn’t a coincidence, it’s the result of prioritizing people’s well-being over privilege and governing with honesty and social justice,” she stated.
The governor explained that Corazones was developed to strengthen 53 regions across 135 designated priority zones in Baja California, aiming to make it the state with the lowest level of extreme poverty in the country.
During its initial stage, the program delivered more than 60,000 square meters of new roadways, directly benefiting over 69,000 individuals in vulnerable areas such as Santorales in Mexicali and Altiplano in Tijuana. These improvements were made possible thanks to an investment of 104.5 million pesos from SIDURT and the State Urbanization Board.
An additional 224.8 million pesos were allocated through SEPROA and local water agencies to expand water supply and sewage infrastructure, directly improving the quality of life for 23,000 people.
In education, 21 public elementary schools have been renovated across five municipalities, improving both indoor and outdoor spaces to create safe, dignified learning environments. New school cafeterias have also been built, allowing more than 6,300 children and teenagers to receive meals through the “Pancita Llena, Corazón Contento” program.
The governor also highlighted that more than 28 million pesos have been destined to restore 13 neglected public spaces throughout the state, which are now being transformed into safe, welcoming areas for the community.
She further emphasized that the Jornadas de Corazones have brought essential services directly to neighborhoods: more than 8,000 people have received free medical care, while over 43,000 have participated in prevention talks, community forums, and toy exchanges that trade in war-themed toys for educational ones.
“When a mother walks down a newly paved street, or a family finds a decent park to spend time together, that’s what transformation looks like. As President Claudia Sheinbaum has said, real change is built in everyday life, through justice, well-being, and dignity for the people,” the governor stated.
Ricardo Serrano, Chief of Staff, acknowledged the strategic leadership and humanist vision of Governor Marina del Pilar, which has made the Corazones program a successful territorial intervention strategy.
“This plan was strengthened through community surveys, door-to-door assemblies, and neighborhood committees, ensuring that the program responds to real needs voiced by the people themselves,” he concluded.
