Alejandro Marichal: "The residents' discontent can no longer be ignored. It's time for decisive and coordinated action from all government departments."
Francis Candil: "The commitment is to include the municipality's centers in the Canarias Convive program to enable their social, educational, and professional integration, working hand in hand with the community."
Ruyman Cardoso: "We have asked the government for clear solutions: more oversight in the centers, direct dialogue with residents, and real support for minors so they can integrate and live together respectfully."
The growing tension among residents of Fataga due to conflicts arising from the presence of unaccompanied migrant minors has prompted the direct intervention of the Department of Social Services and Citizen Participation of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Town Council and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare of the Canary Islands Government to adopt urgent measures. As explained by the First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal, "following a recent meeting between municipal representatives and town residents, a situation of widespread unrest was noted. This unrest can no longer be ignored. It is time for firm and coordinated action by all authorities."
During a meeting held in June by the Fataga Residents' Association, residents presented municipal representatives with the numerous incidents that have occurred in recent months, as well as their concern over the lack of control over the entry and exit of minors from the center. This situation prompted an institutional meeting between the First Deputy Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Alejandro Marichal; the Councilor for Citizen Participation, Ruyman Cardoso; representatives of the Casa Canario-Marroquí Cultural Association; and the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare of the Canary Islands Government, Francis Candil. During the meeting, Cardoso explains, "we demanded that the regional government implement specific measures to guarantee peaceful and safe coexistence between citizens and the migrant minors hosted there. We have asked the government for clear solutions: more control in the centers, direct dialogue with residents, and real support for the minors so they can integrate and live together respectfully."
At the meeting, the proposals developed through direct dialogue with residents were presented. These included strengthening oversight and support by the center's management team (DEMENA SAMU), the creation of a Coexistence and Dialogue Roundtable with participation from residents, institutions, and the children themselves, as well as the implementation of community activities that promote the integration and social engagement of these young people.
The Casa Canario-Marroquí Association offered its collaboration as a mediator between the authorities, minors, and the public. In this way, in addition to facilitating integration through social and labor training, they are committed to assisting young people who wish to continue their migration process outside the island by managing the necessary procedures for their transfer.
Deputy Minister Francis Candil welcomed the proposals and confirmed that the municipality's existing centers will be included in the Canarias Convive program, an initiative of the Canary Islands Government in collaboration with the University of La Laguna that promotes integration, intercultural mediation, and neighborhood coexistence through education, job placement, and citizen participation.
"The goal is for these young people to receive comprehensive support that facilitates their social, educational, and professional integration, working hand in hand with the community," Candil stated. He also emphasized that "access to employment is the most direct path to the integration of vulnerable groups" and pledged to activate the necessary tools so that "coexistence in the municipality is reestablished in a climate of respect and shared responsibility."
The parties agreed to follow up on the commitments made with an upcoming evaluation meeting, with the aim of ensuring that the solutions are translated into concrete and sustainable actions.
