Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 14, 2005
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Costa Rica, Plagued by
Social Inequalities?
“The vision of Costa Rica from the outside is one of homogeneous relations, of equality. But that is not the truth,” said José Manuel Hermida, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
(Click for more)
Ex-President Rodríguez
Released From House Arrest
Just one day shy of his one-year anniversary under preventive detention orders for corruption allegations, ex-President Miguel Angel Rodríguez (1998-2002) finally received his ticket out of house arrest as of 12 a.m. today, Channel 7 TV News reported last night.
(Click for more)
Flooding Continues
In Pacific
Persistent rain and flooding in the Pacific regions forced nearly 2,000 people into temporary shelters this week. The National Emergency Commission (CNE) announced it is caring for evacuees in 16 shelters. It maintains a red alert in Filadelfia, Santa Cruz, Cañas and Bagaces, and in the Puntarenas cantón of Aguirre. It declared a yellow alert yesterday in the cantons Abangares, Hojancha, La Cruz, Libería, Nandayure, Nicoya, Tilarán and Upala.
(Click for more)
Rate Hike Approved For Bus Fares
Bus prices on more than 500 routes throughout the country will increase by an average of 6.97%, the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) announced yesterday.
(Click for more)
October 14
Benefit Aerobics Class
Everyone is invited to participate in a two-hour aerobics class on Oct. 15, at 9 a.m., at the Multiuse Gym, at the University of Costa Rica Sports Court, road to Sabanilla. Entrance costs ¢1,000, benefits will go to help Marvin Andrés Acosta, who suffered an electric shock a month ago forcing doctors to amputate a leg and a hand. Info: www.aeróbicoscr.com
“The Little Prince” Day
The famous story written by Antoine de St. Exupéry will offer enjoyment for children on Oct. 15. Kids will play and make crafts such as foxes, snakes, planets, and a puppet of The Little Prince 9:30-11 a.m. Later they will watch the movie with the name of the book at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m. El Almo group will offer a puppet show telling the story all activities are at FANAL, CENAC, Av. 3/5, Ca. 11/15. Info: 221-2154.
Hike to the Beach and Lookouts of Uvita Island
The Organization for Tropical Studies invites everyone to join the one-day trip to exercise and enjoy the island's beauty on Oct. 16. The trip includes transportation and a guide. The bus leaves at 6 a.m. in front of the San Pedro Church, makes a stop in front of The Holiday Inn Hotel and comes back from Limón at 5 p.m. Info: 524-0625, 377-6169, Fax 524-0626.
Gospel Concert
By singers of Florida State University and Masterkey (Costa Rica), Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m., Eugene O'Neil Theater, C.R.-North American Cultural Center, Barrio Dent.
Edited By María Gabriela Díaz
Tico Times Staff
mgdiaz@ticotimes.net
Costa Rica, Plagued by
Social Inequalities?
By María Gabriela Díaz
Tico Times Staff
mgdiaz@ticotimes.net
“The vision of Costa Rica from the outside is one of homogeneous relations, of equality. But that is not the truth,” said José Manuel Hermida, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
According to the latest UNDP human development index, which studied 81 cantons throughout the country, differences in levels of knowledge and purchasing power are the main causes of disparity among Costa Ricans.
The 2004 study's results show that human development in Costa Rica is at its highest levels in the Central Valley, predominantly in the western suburb of Escazú, which has ranked number one in the index for four consecutive years since 2000.
Among the lowest-ranking cantons, particularly near the country's borders and in coastal areas, are the Caribbean slope towns of Guácimo and Matina and Los Chiles, a town near the border with Nicaragua.
“The cantons represent a mosaic of human development,” Hermida said yesterday during a press conference held at UNDP in Pavas, west of San José, to release the statistics.
The human development index focuses on three variables: life expectancy, knowledge and purchasing power, explained Lara Blanco, UNDP program coordinator.
While life expectancy is high across the country, there are disparities in knowledge and purchasing power throughout the cantons.
The highest canton for knowledge, determined by the net base of students registered in high school per canton, was Montes de Oca, east of San José, while the lowest was the indigenous community of Talamanca in the Caribbean province of Limón.
In terms of purchasing power, determined by the amount electricity consumed in residences per canton, Escazú ranked highest, while León Cortés, in the country's Southern Zone, ranked lowest.
According to Hermida, the index did not reveal a correlation between poverty and public safety in the cantons.
Ex-President Rodríguez
Released From House Arrest
Just one day shy of his one-year anniversary under preventive detention orders for corruption allegations, ex-President Miguel Angel Rodríguez (1998-2002) finally received his ticket out of house arrest as of 12 a.m. today, Channel 7 TV News reported last night.
The former head of state had been held in preventive detention since Oct. 15, 2004 when he returned from the United States where he was serving as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS).
He resigned from the post because of allegations he had accepted illegal payments in connection with the telecommunication firm Alcatel's multimillion-dollar contract in Costa Rica. Rodríguez was initially placed under house arrest upon his return and then served nearly five months in the penitentiary La Reforma, outside the capital, until March 15 when he was transferred to house arrest at his home in the western San José suburb of Escazú (TT, March 18).
The Prosecutor's Office investigation of the allegations is ongoing. The reasons for the decision not to renew Rodríguez's house arrest were not known at press time.
During an interview with The Tico Times in June, Rodríguez said his goal is a fair trial, and that his extensive detention term was unjust because no charges had been filed against him. He has filed complaints before the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) and sent letters to legislative leaders and others alleging that his arrest and detainment were unfair (TT, June 10).
Persistent rain and flooding in the Pacific regions forced nearly 2,000 people into temporary shelters this week. The National Emergency Commission (CNE) announced it is caring for evacuees in 16 shelters. It maintains a red alert in Filadelfia, Santa Cruz, Cañas and Bagaces, and in the Puntarenas cantón of Aguirre. It declared a yellow alert yesterday in the cantons Abangares, Hojancha, La Cruz, Libería, Nandayure, Nicoya, Tilarán and Upala.
Filadelfia, in inland Guanacaste, remains tormented by rising water – 1,100 people from surrounding communities were evacuated to six shelters. Upala, near the Nicaraguan border, is under close watch as the rising Niño and Guacalito rivers threaten villages along their banks.
Three hundred people remain in shelters in Quepos and surrounding villages on the southern Pacific coast where they were evacuated during floods triggered by Hurricane Katrina.
The CNE is coordinating psychologist visits for evacuees and residents of the flooded villages, and hired heavy machinery to clear and rebuild roads. The commission reports the rain is not expected to let up until as late as Sunday and warns people living in flood-prone areas and the areas mentioned to remain vigilant.
Rate Hike Approved
For Bus Fares
Bus prices on more than 500 routes throughout the country will increase by an average of 6.97%, the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) announced yesterday.
The increase will compensate bus companies for increases in diesel gasoline prices, salaries and inflation, according to an ARESEP statement.
The increases range from ¢5 ($0.01) to ¢340 ($0.70). For example, Escazú-San José and San José-Heredia will increase from ¢170 ($0.35) to ¢185 ($0.40); San José-Puntarenas will increase from ¢1,170 ($2.40) to ¢1,260 ($2.58); and San José-Alajuela will increase from ¢290 ($0.60) to ¢310 ($0.64).
Some routes will not be affected – those that have recently had a fare increase and those that are not up to date in their payments to the Social Security System (Caja) and the National Insurance Institute (INS).
The price increase will go into effect once it is published in the official government newspaper La Gaceta.
Reminder! Public offices across Costa Rica, as well as many private businesses, will be closed on Monday for Cultures Day, a national holiday.
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