Press Secretariat
Electric Train construction making progress
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Municipal Theater, Culture Park and Metropolitan Museum honor greatness of
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a majestic design, the renovated Teatro Municipal of Lima opened its doors to the public after it was destroyed by fire 12 years ago. The work done on the theater respected the original designs of the structure, maintaining the harmonious
combination of French and Italian styles. The theater has seating for 1000 people, a stage area fully equipped with the latest technology, as well as rehearsal spaces, galleries and disabled elevators.
New attractions in Lima’s Historic Center The Parque de la Cultura (Culture Park) was built in front of Parque Universitario in downtown Lima with the aim of promoting cultural and recreational activities. The project required 1.2 million soles. The Metropolitan Museum of Lima was also inaugurated inside the Parque de la Exposición, featuring 10,000 years of history of Lima through audio visual presentations, 3D animations and holograms. METROPOLITAN MUSEUM
CULTURE PARK
Electric Train construction making steady progress
Construction of Lima’s electric train system progresses apace. President Alan Garcia is constantly monitoring the work. In October, he witnessed the laying of the precast beams along the route between Villa El Salvador and Grau Avenue, a few meters away from emblematic
Hospital Dos de Mayo. This route belongs to Line 1 of the train and its construction is expected to be completed by early 2011. The Electric Train is a mass transport system that aims to gradually solve the urban transport problems in Lima.
Projects inaugurated even at night time The hectic day-to-day schedule of President Alan Garcia often includes evening activities in which he inaugurates public works projects aimed at improving living standards of low-income population. These well-attended events always take place at sports fields, parks or community centers with the participation of people who helped make the projects possible. Only in October, the president inaugurated newly-constructed classrooms in San Martin de Porres district, a health center in Cerro Candela, and a center for Peru’s Non-Formal Program of Initial Education (Pronoei). He also witnessed the opening of a health center in Comas as well as a health center and a school in Carabayllo.
All these projects were carried out by executing groups with the support of Peru’s rural development cooperation fund Foncodes.
The road to a first class education has begun Education has been, is and will be the basis of future, development and social justice. In this regard, the president inaugurated on October 13 the renovated Carlos Wiesse school in Comas, which required an investment of 7.44 million soles. He announced that two Colegio Mayor Secundario schools will be opened in the north and south of the country by 2011. “We can build roads, ports and airports, but without quality education, this infrastructure is meaningless and we would continue to be poor spiritually,� he said.
He added that other 116 emblematic schools will also be upgraded in different regions, totaling 150 refurbished schools across the country. Garcia said this is a proof of the importance that the Peruvian government attaches to education, complemented with teacher training workshops and the provision of computers and books to students. On October 29, Garcia inaugurated Don Jose de San Martin and Francisco Corbetto schools in Pisco and Chincha Alta provinces, which were refurbished with an investment of nearly 11 million soles.
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On October 29, Garcia inaugurated Don Jose de San Martin and Francisco Corbetto schools in Pisco and Chincha Alta provinces, which were refurbished with an investment of nearly 11 million soles.
School facilities Carlos Wiesse School
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In an effort to promote quality and decentralized education, the Peruvian president on October 21 signed a supreme ordinance incorporating 606 district municipalities within the intervention area of Juntos (National Program of Direct Support to the Poorest) into the Plan of Educational Management Municipalization.
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With first-class education, the country will grow strong and should be able to face the challenges of the future, because competition will be about science and technology over the next 40 years. Alan Garcia Perez, Carlos Wiesse School, Comas, October 13
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Education can’t go backwards As the 2011 presidential and legislative elections draw near and after the recent election of new governors and mayors, President Garcia expressed concern that progress in the education system could suffer a setback, especially in teacher evaluation and training programs. The issue has been repeatedly raised by the head of state, who noted that these programs ensure that teachers are regularly updated on best practices and new strategies to enrich students’ learning experience. President Garcia has also called on new authorities to continue to invest in the country’s education and sports infrastructure so as to create better learning conditions for students.
The teacher training should be more intense, so that we can continue to demand more from our students Alan Garcia Perez, Chincha, October 29
Government triples budget for regions and municipalities Decentralization process makes progress. President Alan Garcia said the government has carried out a total of 130,000 projects nationwide between 2006 and 2010 thanks to its decentralization policy to triple budget for regional government and municipalities. It is worth noting that these 130,000 projects, ranging from a classroom to the Inter-Oceanic highway, have generated thousands of jobs that promote social justice, especially in provinces. President Garcia added that the newly-elected governors, mayors and councilors will administer a total of 24 billion soles next year.
FONIPREL
Elected mayors discuss public safety In recent weeks, the government has taken important decisions regarding public safety in the country. The national police will deploy 2,100 additional officers and 200 vehicles on the streets of the capital, a trunked communications system will be acquired and a productivity bonus will be awarded to the staff from November. The government has also ordered to cancel gun licenses of those who commit domestic violence. And for coordination purposes, President Garcia met with the elected mayors of Lima and Callao, to whom he proposed to take action and invest together. The proposal involves the empowerment of local police departments, providing the logistics needed to undertake their work and integrating their database with that of serenazgo, a local auxiliary police paid by the municipality.
With the aim of strengthening the decentralization process, the government authorized the transfer of 145.3 million soles from this year’s Public Sector Budget to 200 provincial and district municipalities and 5 regional governments.
Some of the districts to benefit from these funds are Imaza in Amazonas,Ranrahirca in Ancash and Huimbayo in San Martin.
Investments to be made: Purchase a trunked communications system, expand the broadband system, upgrade the 105 emergency service, implement video surveillance systems and acquire a satellite communications system.
“Tren Macho” to boost development of highland areas
“Gratitud” a program for the poorest
The Huancayo-Huancavelica train also known as Tren Macho is running again. On October 26, Peruvian President Alan Garcia visited Huancavelica to inaugurate rehabilitation work on the 128 km railway line, which marks the re-opening of daily train service, faster than before but keeping the same fares. The new line has reduced travel time between the two Andean cities to 4.5 hours from 6.5 hours, while one-way ticket from Huancayo to Huancavelica costs between 9 and 13 soles the return ticket is between 7.80 and 13 soles. Speaking from the Izcuchaca and Huancavelica stations, the Peruvian leader and Transport Minister Enrique Cornejo noted that the Tren Macho and the future road network will interconnect historically separate cities in the country’s highlands areas.
The rehabilitation work on the HuancayoHuancavelica railway line required an investment of US$ 21 million.
Improved living conditions for elderly people. The government writes a new chapter of solidarity in the country’s history after launching ‘Gratitude’, a pilot program providing a monthly payment of 100 soles to needy elderly people who are at least 75 years of age. In the first stage, the program will benefit 475 elderly in Lima. Then, it will continue helping poor families in Apurimac, Ayacucho and Huancavelica regions. During the launching of the program, President Garcia said that for the first time, the State is taking care of elderly people who suffer from extreme poverty. “Justice is not only about carrying out projects, but also loving people and giving them a place in society,” he said.
Before July 28, 2011, a total of 50,000 elderly people will be benefited nationwide.
Everyone talks about the ‘Peruvian miracle’ “The world has started talking about the ‘Peruvian miracle’ of economic growth, poverty reduction, Mario Vargas Llosa’s Nobel Prize and the implementation of thousands of public works projects.” President Alan Garcia was referring to statements made by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who during his visit to Lima said that “perhaps not too many years from now, people will look back and talk about the Peruvian miracle” due to sustained growth despite the global financial crisis. “I am very pleased with these words because, in some way, this government has contributed to the occurrence of this so-called Peruvian miracle,” he said. He noted that with these expressions circulating around the world, Peruvians must act with greater strength and leave behind the defeatism of the past, when Peru was not seeing as an exemplary country. “The perception that people develops about the future has an enormous economic value,” he said.
Peru is Latin America’s second country with the greatest economic and social equality, behind Uruguay, but ahead of neighboring Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Chile, according to a recent United Nations report on Human Development in the region. “This is very important because poverty is reduced by decreasing inequality between social sectors and therefore contributes to social justice,” said President Garcia. He added that the economic and social equality makes its way across
“Our country is obviously experiencing an economic miracle. Our nation has taken the right path and has great strengths at this time, including its sustained growth over many years, which surprises foreigners and analysts”. Alan Garcia Perez, Barranco, October 14
the country with the implementation of 135,000 projects during the last 4 years. The Peruvian leader noted that poverty in the country will be reduced to less than 30 percent by next year. “Poverty will be reduced to less than 30 percent next year, and I am totally convinced that it will be cut to 10 percent or even less by 2021,” he said.
Lord of Miracles, patron of Peru
Since 20 October 1687, the procession of Lord of Miracles, the most venerated religious image in Peru, passes through Lima’s streets bringing blessings of union, hope, Catholic fervor and tradition. This year, it was named the patron of Catholic Religious Spirituality of the Republic of Peru. On October 28, President Alan Garcia signed the law paying tribute to the image at the Government Palace. The ceremony was witnessed by thousands of Catholic faithful who accompanied the Lord of Miracles during its traditional procession through the capital’s historical center. The law, which was previously passed by Congress, also declares the ‘Pachacamilla Christ’ as a symbol of religion and popular feeling. “Lord of Miracles, We declare you Patron of Catholic Religious Spirituality of Peru, we pray you for development, justice and joy for Peru and all families.”
Alan Garcia Perez, Lima’s Main Square, October 18
Peru declares national mourning for Nestor Kirchner’s death The Peruvian government honored the memory of former Argentinean President Nestor Kirchner, who died on October 27, declaring a national mourning day and hoisting the national flag at hast mast in all governmental, military and public buildings all over the country and its overseas missions. President Alan Garcia passed a supreme ordinance formalizing these measures, which were applied the next day, October 28, when Kirchner’s funeral service was held in Buenos Aires. Nestor Kirchner, husband of the current Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, was considered a great statesman of the region and a Latin American figure. He had been serving as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and stood out for his outstanding efforts to promote integration on the continent.
Southern Interoceanic highway will transform Peru
The Southern Interoceanic Highway, which is 95 percent complete, will be opened soon with an international car race from San Juan de Marcona (Peru) to Rio Branco (Brazil). The winner will receive the “President of the Republic” prize. The great corridor will transform Peru and will connect its southern regions with South American giant Brazil. “We invite professional drivers to come and test it in order to demonstrate that it was built not only for big rigs, but also for high speed vehicles and I am sure that we will see the most popular drivers of the Americas here,” Peruvian President Alan
“At this moment 95 percent of the 2,500 km Inter-Oceanic Highway is complete, and when the construction of 723-meterlong Continental Bridge finishes in a very short period of time, we will be able to deliver this extraordinary work to the people of Peru and Brazil,” Alan Garcia Perez, Madre de Dios, Octubre 22
Garcia said on October 22 during the inauguration of 66 km of the highway’s Section 3 in Madre de Dios region. This project will connect Madre de Dios with Cusco, Puno, Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna, but at the same time, it will connect all these departments with neighboring Brazil. Producers in southern Peru will potentially benefit from an important market of 4 million Brazilian people with a higher purchasing power than that of Peruvians. “The highway will provide an injection of wealth in the south, but not only here in the foothills of the
mountain range, but also behind the glaciers from Cusco to Urcos, in small towns that have made progress on urban development and employment generation,” he said. When the Interoceanic Highway is opened, he said, people in Lima can travel faster to Madre de Dios region, but also people in the jungle may visit Arequipa, Cusco and Lima in less time. On October 1, President Garcia inaugurated in Cusco 239 km of the Sections 1 and 2 of the highway, which will benefit 365,170 people.
More UBAPs and hospitals of Essalud UBAP HUANUCO
The government will consolidate the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance in Lima and Callao over the next nine months in order to make this process irreversible. In an effort to facilitate people’s access to health care services, Peru’s health care system (Essalud) continues to open more Basic Primary Care Units (UBAPs) in different districts of the country. Only in October, Essalud inaugurated UBAPs in the regions of Huanuco, Cajamarca and Lima. The UBAPs provide specialized care in gynecology, obstetrics, dentistry as well as X-ray examinations and ultrasound which allow doctors to confirm a diagnosis and if it is necessary refer the patient to a hospital.
DATA: The Ministry of Health will also inaugurate 14 new hospitals in the coming months in order to provide better health care facilities and prepare the conditions for the Universal Health Insurance.
UBAP MAGDALENA
In one day, 54,563 Peruvians received their land titles Loreto
Tumbes
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99
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6,994 5,386
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“We need our La Libertad Huánuco people to be very 894 aware and rational to Pasco 384 support the fundamental Junín path of social democracy. Madre de Dios Lima 4,91 5 Peru is on the right path 7,755 122 Cusco because it is reducing 2,052 poverty,” said President Alan Garcia.
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A total of land titles were handed out by President Alan Garcia as part of the government’s efforts to promote land titling and social justice across the country.
From the highlands of Cusco to the warm lands of Piura and the Amazon, nine ministers traveled to various departments of the country to grant land titles to thousands of families. To date, the government has granted more than 800,000 land titles throughout Peru. In this regard, the head of State reaffirmed the government’s objective to ensure that all Peruvian families are the rightful owners of the land on which they live and work.
Peru asks Yale to return Machu Picchu artifacts The Peruvian government announced the beginning of a legal and media campaign in the world to recover thousands of artifacts taken from the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu nearly a century ago. Peruvian President Alan Garcia sent a letter to his US counterpart Barack Obama asking his intervention to retrieve the archaeological pieces. Peruvian President Alan Garcia said he “won’t give up on his efforts to retrieve this cultural heritage of Peru before the 100th anniversary of the scientific discovery of the Inca citadel” He also requested to face up to this misappropriation of cultural property as a global crime.
Thousands of Peruvians rallied in Lima to demand the return of the Inca artifacts.
SUPPORT TO PERUVIAN DEMAND On October 26, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said he will take this issue to the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) seeking a declaration against Yale University. “UNASUR must take actions because this is invaluable cultural heritage illegally removed from our countries,” said President Correa. The Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors recently said it will echo the theme and take advantage of the good relations it has with the U.S. attorney general to discuss this issue.
A group of athletes competing in the New York Marathon joined the Peruvian campaign by wearing T-shirts with the slogan “Yale, return Machu Picchu artifacts to Peru”.
Renewal of friendship between Peru and Bolivia The recent meeting between Presidents Alan Garcia and Evo Morales in southern Peru’s Ilo province has opened a new chapter of close and harmonious relationship between Peru and Bolivia. During the meeting, the leaders agreed to give a new boost to the “Bolivia Sea” project, granting Bolivia a Special Economic Zone and a docking point for its commerce or navy ships, which reaffirmed that “Peru will never be an obstacle for Bolivia to regain its access to the sea.”
HOSPITAL OPENING After meeting with his Bolivian counterpart, Garcia Perez inaugurated a new hospital in Ilo, which required an investment of over 30 million soles and will benefit more than 180,000 people in Moquegua region.
Peru, Ecuador embark upon a path of indestructible unity, friendship, peace and cooperation The Ecuadorian city of Loja was the scene of the Presidential Meeting and Fourth Binational Cabinet Meeting between Ecuador and Peru, in which both countries confirmed the excellent level of bilateral relations. Agreements on the management of water resources in the Zarumilla river basin, irrigation technology, air traffic, mineral resources and education were signed during the meeting. Peruvian President Alan Garcia told his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa that Peru will always be a brother country to Ecuador with which it can work toward the long-awaited integration of the Americas.
Literature House’s Anniversary
We have gas reserves for more than 20 years Peru has adequate resources to ensure the success of the South Andean pipeline project, even if we need 300 million cubic feet per day in the next 20 years across the country.
The House of Literature, a space created by the government at the initiative of President Alan Garcia to arouse creativity and literary spirit of Peruvians, celebrated its first anniversary on October 20. The house, which was formerly the Desamparados Railway Station, today is a center of cultural diffusion that has been visited by more than 600,000 people since its opening. “There is a poet in each of us, an inhibited poet that wakes up when reads or hears poems,” said the president after inviting all Peruvians to visit this place and “be seduced by its literary scene.”
In the north of Camisea, in Block 58, there are almost 2 trillion cubic feet in only two of the six wells that will be drilled in the area. The finding guarantees 20 years of “very powerful” development in areas such as petrochemicals, electricity, fertilizer, as well as the supply in the cities of Arequipa, Puno, Juliaca, Moquegua, Tacna, among others.
126 rural communities in Huanuco and San Martin joined the national grid
HUANUCO
More and more people in the most remote areas of the country are joining the National Grid. In Huanuco and San Martin regions, a total of 126 rural towns and small districts have electricity for the first time.
BELLAVISTA
In Acomayo, a town in Huanuco region, President Alan Garcia inaugurated electrification works for 1,241 families, while in San Martin, a total of 34 towns in the Bellavista, Moyobamba, Lamas and San Martin provinces have been supplied with electricity. The two projects required an investment of more than 23 million soles.
By July 2011, a total of 12,000 towns will have electricity. In 5 years of government, nearly 4 million Peruvians have electricity for the first time.
Peru proposes to reduce purchase of weapons in UN
During the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly, Peruvian President Alan Garcia stressed the need to reduce the purchase of weapons in the world in order to live in peace. He stated that the arms race has only brought confrontation, scourge and misery, preventing the development of peoples. He also asked multilateral financial organizations to include clauses against weaponization. “Our appeal to the world leaders is very simple, stop buying weapons, feed the most humble, develop the land and create jobs� Garcia Perez said at the Summit held in New York.
In recent years, South American countries have invested 25 billion dollars in new weapons and spent another 150 billion on operating maintenance.
With that amount, more than 50 million poor people on the continent would have been lifted out of poverty.
Peru, a model country for development with stability, equity and social democracy Peru has become a model country for economic development with a global market policy ensuring stability and equity for its citizens. Despite the international financial crisis, Peru managed to maintain its growth rates and significantly reduce poverty levels. During his address at the 65 Session of the UN General Assembly, Peruvian President Alan Garcia said that these achievements give our country a great capacity to contribute with the defense of freedom and democracy in the world, and play an important role in the world.
WB HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT In recognition of the sustained growth of our country, the World Bank (WB) has congratulated the Peruvian government on its achievements in economic progress. The financial institution said that Peru can share this successful experience with many middleincome countries in Latin America and other regions in the world.