Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda presented her fourth annual State of the State address this week, detailing her administration’s achievements and outlining future goals, with a core message of continued governance with honesty and transparency.
Elected four years ago, the governor stated her administration defined the implementation of the federal government’s “Fourth Transformation” agenda in Baja California, marking a shift from insensitive and corrupt governments to one focused on directly addressing citizens’ needs.
For Everyone’s Sake, Poor People Come First
A central pledge of her term was to make Baja California the national leader in eliminating extreme poverty. Officials announced the successful reduction of these rates to historic lows, with over 500,000 people lifted out of poverty during her administration.
This figure, while easily stated, represents enormous progress for the community. The administration credits extensive social welfare programs for ensuring these families now have improved access to education, healthcare, food, housing, and water.
A cornerstone of this effort was the allocation of 13 billion pesos to well-being initiatives. These include widespread student scholarships to combat school dropout rates and the “Pancita Llena, Corazón Contento” (“Full Belly, Happy Heart”) program, which provides hot breakfasts and meals to children in vulnerable schools.
Over 500,000 women have reportedly benefited from this type of aid, including assistance in validating their prior studies and starting university degrees. The governor also highlighted the elevation of the “Tarjeta Violeta” support program for women to constitutional status.
“Thank you for all your support. As stated, that aid is now a right and no one can ever take it away from you as of today.”
Thanks to federal programs, the Rosario Castellanos National University is now established in Tijuana and Baja California has become the first Mexican state with two universities of this type in the same city.
Infrastructure
The governor’s report emphasized the completion of long-stalled infrastructure projects, including the San Antonio de los Buenos Treatment Plant and the Los Laureles Pumping Plant rehabilitation.
The Rosarito Desalination Plant is poised to become the largest of its kind in Mexico and Latin America and is expected to secure the state’s water supply for the next 30 years. In renewable energy, at least 2,000 families are now powered by solar roofs.
On mobility, Governor Marina del Pilar confirmed the Tijuana Elevated Viaduct will be operational soon, a project anticipated to revitalize regional traffic flow. She also pointed to the Otay II Port of Entry and the recently conceded Punta Colonet port project in Ensenada, a goal pursued for decades by previous governments, as signature achievements.
Overall, her administration has overseen a record-breaking 100 billion pesos invested in public works.
“Every paved street, every rehabilitated school, and every recovered space is a victory for the people,” she claimed.
Security and Justice
Peace-building meetings are held every day. In addition, a 236-million-peso investment in security technology has taken place, which includes the “Sistema Violeta” and a social security plan for police officers.
The Judicial Branch was also strengthened, with a 51% increase in the number of courts—from 94 to 159—in just four years. This is thanks to an investment of 357 million pesos, which translates to 65 new courts, family engagement centers, and oral hearing rooms.
“Baja California is stronger today because it has a renewed, honest justice system with love for the people,” she said.
Baja California: In Its Best Moment
In a surprise announcement, the governor proposed the creation of a new “Beca Corazón de Cimarrón” scholarship to cover 100% of enrollment fees for 22,000 vulnerable students. She also announced a 61-million-peso investment to expand the Faculty of Medicine and Psychology in Tijuana and open 150 additional spots and the construction of a new Cleft Lip and Palate Hospital in Mexicali to provide free, specialized care for children.
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