We must examine the details of what is happening today in every part of the island, learn firsthand about the problems and concerns of the people, and, amidst all the adversity, not give up on finding solutions. This philosophy makes the municipality an ideal setting, where challenges can be viewed on a smaller scale, and where human stories can emerge more effectively amidst the statistics.
This explains why the country's leadership—headed by the President of the National Defense Council, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez—has been visiting the municipalities of Havana in recent days; and why this Monday afternoon, the Head of State, along with Roberto Morales Ojeda, member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, visited the Boyeros Municipal Defense Council.
Along with other leaders, and in close dialogue with authorities from the municipality, one of the largest in the capital, Díaz-Canel and Morales Ojeda listened to the information provided by the president of the Municipal Defense Council, Yucleidis Ramírez Ramírez. His remarks highlighted the reality of a territory with seven People's Councils and a population exceeding 176,400 inhabitants.
Ramírez Ramírez addressed issues such as electricity supply, water provision, and food security, emphasizing that the Defense Zone is a key area in these times and that updating the municipality's "energy map" is one of the most vital tasks they have been undertaking.
These types of meetings address all possible aspects of the population's daily life. Therefore, the president of the Municipal Defense Council presented information related to the citizen services system; assistance for those living in vulnerable situations; and the role that economic actors are playing in supporting those most in need.
The Family Support System (SAF, in Spanish), for example —as Ramírez explained— is receiving support from 38 economic actors in the municipality. And because there are other ongoing efforts for the good of the people, new economic actors have been tasked with ensuring pension payments; just as there are state and non-state entities responsible for producing and selling food, especially where it is most urgently needed.
Solid waste collection—a major problem plaguing the capital and for which various solutions are emerging—was the focus of discussion this Monday afternoon. Experiments are even being conducted with horse-drawn carts, and other effective alternatives are being sought. On this particular point, it was stated that any successful approach should be implemented more broadly.
The municipality of Boyeros, as mentioned in the meeting, also has an agenda focused on reclaiming spaces for social activities such as sports, culture, and recreation in general, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the well-being of its residents.
Among other matters, President Díaz-Canel inquired about the functioning of the SAF and the progress of food production.
It was an opportunity to discuss the importance of identifying problems in a timely manner; the importance —as the president noted— of beginning to plan for the next school year; and the need to focus on optimizing the Defense Zone from both a structural and functional perspective.
Because there's nothing like systematic planning and follow-up on what truly matters, the President of the National Defense Council told his interlocutors that "we'll be seeing each other" very soon.
