Nayarit’s culinary offerings were recognized by the Federal Government’s State Department, which singled out the prestigious chef as one of the country’s best

The many flavors of Riviera Nayarit are the destination’s calling card to the world, especially now that Mexico’s State Department named the renowned Betty Vásquez, Nayarit’s gastronomic ambassador, to its list of the country’s top chefs.
 
The recognition was awarded days after Vásquez placed second in Harbourfront Centre’s International Hot & Spicy Iron Chef Festival, which was celebrated on September 2nd. Her participation was sponsored by the Mexico Tourism Board and the Mexican Consulate in Toronto, Canada.
 
“I’m thrilled because this recognition wasn’t given only to me: it was given to the entire region of Nayarit and this will allow us to promote the state based on its gastronomy. Besides, it comes right on the heels of a very tight competition. During the semifinals in the Iron Chef we had a very close call with the Canadian chef’s team. That day I presented a tribute to the milpa, which is our sustenance: I made a pre-Hispanic mole sauce with pumpkin seeds, black rice with cuitlacoche and squash with corn. To this I had to integrate the secret ingredients of the day: tea and chicken,” said Nayarit’s acclaimed gastronomical ambassador.
 
“The final was up against the Hawaiian Ippy Aiona, with whom I enjoyed great chemistry throughout the event; we became fast friends. I presented a mole sauce with three chiles and a plantain garnish, a nopal cactus salad and sweet potato marinated with chile. But the challenge of integrating the secret ingredient, sauerkraut, into the recipe was very tough,” said Chef Vásquez.

The chef also highlighted the important exposure received by the destination thanks to the extensive media coverage, but, above all, she cherished her new friends. “There are already plans for Ippy Aiona to come cook with us in Riviera Nayarit, and for us take our dishes to Hawaii,” she said.
 
The CVB, a nonprofit organization that works directly under the Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association to promote all of Riviera Nayarit, stated that events like these serve to promote tourism and thus enhance the development of all of Nayarit’s citizens, per the directives of the People’s Governor, Roberto Sandoval Castañeda

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit visited Grand Rapids, St Louis and Denver between October 4 and 7, to promote the region under the campaign of "Live it to believe it!" Led by the CPTM.
As part of a joint promotion effort, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit made a promotional tour between October 4 and 7 in order to attract more tourists from the region.
The tour, is part of the promotional campaign led by the Tourism Council of Mexico (CPTM), under the slogan "Vallarta-Nayarit Live it to believe it!", which will visit the cities of Grand Rapids, St Louis and Denver.
"We go with the leading travel agents to each of these cities, giving presentations where each destination will show its attractions and the novelties in the region for tourists. We will also offer interviews to major media, "said Guillermo Ohem, director of the Tourism Trust Fund of Puerto Vallarta.
In total, during the presentations we intend to reach a large number of travel agents and the general audience by interviewing leading tourism media in the region, with which it is expected to enhance the efforts already made in conjunction with airlines to increase the influx of tourists.
"We've already said it, with the Vallarta-Nayarit campaign we managed to increase the number of flights to the destination. Now, all the promotional efforts we are doing are intended to convince people to board these new flights, to come to visit us and have an extraordinary time. In this way, we will have more tourism and a better economy for all", concluded Marc Murphy, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Riviera Nayarit.
IN NEW YORK
Remember that as part of the joint promotion campaign, the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), through the Tourism Council of Mexico (CPTM), presented the campaign Live It to Believe It, in the United States, the main market in terms of international tourist arrivals to our country.
Before more than 400 guests gathered at the American Museum of Natural History of New York City, including members of the American tourism industry, the CPTM unveiled the new image that will promote Mexican tourist destinations internationally during the coming years.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/10/02/road-show-de-vallarta-nayarit-llega-a-la-zona-central-de-norteamerica"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

The work is carried out in the framework of the XIV Latin American Congress of the organism which brings together faculties, schools and institutes of law in Latin America

Law experts from across the continent have gathered in Puerto Vallarta for three days to discuss the state of international trade in the American continent, in the XIV Latin American Congress of the Association of Faculties, Schools and Institutes of Law in Latin America (Afeidal).
The central theme that brings together hundreds of experts in the field is "Teaching and Research of International Trade: Latin American experiences of trade integration, a way for development", according to the technical coordinator of the conference, José Rodolfo Chávez de los Ríos.
He explained that the event, which takes place at the Marriot Hotel, is organized by the Union of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean and the Afeidal, having as a host the University of Guadalajara through the Centro Universitario de la Costa; the intention is to encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience and help strengthen the education of future practitioners in the continent, as more efficient executors of legal systems.

THE SUB-TOPICS
Experts analyze since yesterday the strengths and weaknesses of the phenomenon of globalization, the study and research of the right to integration, the analysis of free trade areas in Latin America and the development of common markets in the continent.
The president of the Afeidal and professor of the Faculty of Law at the UNAM, Máximo Carvajal Contreras explained that in the congress there is the participation of the national association presidents, rectors, deans, directors and department heads of colleges, law schools and legal research institutes of the continent affiliated to Afeidal.
The organizer said that the dynamics of the meeting consists of presentations and discussion in 4 working groups to exchange views from the speakers, plus a table is opened exclusively for the presentation of scholarly books, academic papers and conferences.
He further stated that the aims of the association are scientific, cultural and educational, and to promote mutual cooperation among its members, with the primary purpose of improving the quality of legal education and research in Law.
It is expected that by the end of the day of presentations on Saturday, the text of the Declaration of Puerto Vallarta is written, condensing the findings of the focal point of the debate.
The event was attended by Dr. Rodolfo Chávez, Mr. Minerva Partida (of Tepic), Héctor Aqueche (of the Universidad de San Carlos of Guatemala), Margarito Ortega (Universidad Ixtlahuaca of Mexico), Mr. Emilia Morelos (of Tepic), Dr. Máximo Carbajal Contreras (President of the AFEIDAL and emeritus professor of the UNAM), Alejandra Muñoz Montoya (Corporación Universitaria Remington (Medellín Colombia), Carlos Solines (Ecuador), Ukles Cornejo (Ecuador), René Segura (Guanajuato) and Jimena Moreno (Ecuador).

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/28/analizan-las-experiencias-de-america-latina-en-el-comercio"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

Medical experts in different specialties participated in the opening of the two days of the first Health Economics forum in Mexico organized by Sanofi in this city, in which various aspects will be analyzed of the economic impact of the prevention and treatment of the major diseases that plague Mexicans.
The CEO of Sanofi in Mexico, Bertrand Baron said that it is a company that is ethical, transparent and committed to Mexican society.
"This involves improving the quality of life of people through therapeutic solutions and ensure a balance and positive impact in our environment, with the care of the environment, corporate ethics and values; the responsibility for our products and contribution to social development".
He declared that in Sanofi they act "aware of the challenge of the constant changes that the population pyramid imposes on us and that redefine in the medium and long term the health outlook. We respond to this challenge with daily work, strengthening our portfolio, which is the most diverse in the industry, to cover the unmet needs in the Mexican population". And he said that his commitment is to maintain corporate social responsibility and transparency as a practice in our operations: therein lies our sustainability".
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Our social responsibility, said the manager, starts with a commitment to patient health care, which is what we do best. We seek to understand and meet their needs through greater access to medicines and promoting research of new therapeutic solutions under strict ethical practice, transparency and respect for human rights and the environment.
Furthermore, "as a leading worldwide company, we recognize the impact of our operations and decisions, with the understanding that the sustainability of our audiences is the basis of Sanofi's sustainability".
Friday's schedule included the participation of Francisco Mendoza Rocha, director of corporate affairs at Sanofi with the theme "Sanofi: Health partner in Mexico", Dr. Elsa Sarti, director of epidemiology Latin America Sanofi Pasteur and assistant secretary of the National Academy of Medicine with the theme "epidemiological overview of chronic degenerative diseases in Mexico" and Dr. Armando Arredondo with the theme "economic impact of chronic degenerative diseases in Mexico."
The director said that "our goal of being a diversified company has led to a series of mergers and acquisitions over decades which have consolidated us into our core growth platforms. From 2009-2012 we consolidated the integration of 32 companies with which we show our great capacity for unification".

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/28/realizan-aqui-el-primer-foro-de-economia-de-la-salud-en-mexico"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

The Riviera Nayarit began receiving this weekend part of the national tourism that was going to travel to Acapulco around this time, but due to the flooding problems presented in the port of Guerrero after the hurricane Manuel passed, they had to change the tourism destination, having already paid travel and services.
Around 15 chartered trucks were parked in the parking lot of the Banderas Bay Trust Fund with dozens of national tourists on board, who will contribute to improve the occupancy rates in the Riviera Nayarit this weekend, although they also found in this region a cloudy weather and rainfall.
The parking attendant was surprised and felt that these tourists who arrived on Friday morning would initially have Acapulco as their destination, but they couldn't travel there, due to the emergency situation of the tourist port and they chose the Riviera Nayarit instead. (Por Eugenio Ortiz Carreño).

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/28/recibe-la-riviera-al-turismo-nacional-que-iba-a-acapulco"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

There are signs of a recovery for the next winter tourist season, although the proposed tax reform will affect the growth of the sector

At five years since the economic and financial crisis of the United States, which seriously affected the flow of U.S. tourists to Puerto Vallarta and the country in general, the tourism industry in this beach destination is beginning to see signs of a recovery, which could be a reality in the first half of 2014.
The crisis in the U.S., documented from the second half of 2008, negatively impacted the country's tourist destinations, but in the case of Puerto Vallarta, it was strongly hit since the winter season (December 2008 to May 2009) , by causing the loss of about 465 thousand passengers by air.
To this figure was added the loss of 170 thousand domestic visitors who stopped coming to the destination due to the negative effects of the flu outbreak in Mexico in 2009 and, in general, the loss of economic power of Mexicans during that year.
Since 2009, the flow of American tourists continued to fall, down to the loss of about 870 thousand passengers in the 2008 to 2012 period. In contrast, domestic tourism began to grow from 2010 until recovering and representing for Puerto Vallarta a "lifeline" for the past four years, including this 2013.
But today, that finally the Puerto Vallarta tourism industry-and the country in general, is beginning to see a light of recovery at the end of this year, the federal government is considering in its tax reform project a tax levy in some areas of tourism, which could affect the growth of the tourism sector and even stop the rise that is just beginning to take hold.
The tax package is proposing to tax levy conferences, conventions and land passenger transport, which until now have remained with a zero rate, while eliminating the deductibility of consumption in restaurants, among other things that would end up hurting the "industry without chimneys" that sees in the upcoming winter season a light of economic improvement.
Interviewed on the subject, the hotelier Ignacio Cadena Beraud, owner of the hotel Friendly Hola Vallarta and of the restaurant La Leche, warns that without incentives, the tourism industry of this city and the rest of the country runs the risk of remaining contracted.
The also president of the Association of Hotels and Motels in Puerto Vallarta found that, indeed, there are indications that the tourism and economic recovery of the industry are nearby.
THESE YEARS HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT IN TOURISM
In the last 10 years, which one has been the best for the tourism industry?
I think that the great increase in tourism in Mexico was in between 2006 and 2007, just when we got to very high levels because the U.S. market was very strong, and it began to add to the Canadian market on a more regular basis.
How has the crisis that started in the U.S. in the second half of 2008 affected the tourism industry?
The whole country was greatly affected, the U.S. crisis was an immediate reflection, the Americans behave massively with these crises and pay a lot of attention to the instructions of their authorities. For Puerto Vallarta it was much stronger than for the rest of the destinations in the country, maybe Mazatlan and Acapulco suffered a lot not so much because of the crisis, but because of a devaluation of their product. Puerto Vallarta suffered a lot with a reduction of almost 900 thousand passengers by air.
How could this strong fall in tourism be qualified?
It was emphatic, dramatic, drastic, awful, it was a 33 percent drop in U.S. tourism in a single stroke.
In how much averaged the applied tariffs to U.S. tourism before the crisis of 2008 and how much is the current rate average?
That is very difficult to answer because the tariffs do not have a fixed rate, because the phenomenon that has arisen is that the pressure of the rates pushes down starting from the most luxurious hotels: gran turismo and five stars... this is because the first tourists that began to fail were the middle and upper level ones, then, when the volume of customers who went to the big hotels reduced, especially for the international chains, these reacted by lowering their prices and lower prices are always pressed down, if the five-star hotel has lower prices, it lowers the four stars, the three and so on, this is a way to not lose tourism and it is one of the great misfortunes in the rates of Puerto Vallarta.
How much did the tariffs fall in Puerto Vallarta?
I estimate that they dropped by an average of 25 to 30 percent, which is very noticeable and hurts a lot the profits of a hotel, or it is also what prevents losses in a hotel.
What has happened to the national tourism over the last five years of the U.S. tourism crisis?
Fortunately, domestic tourism has increased sharply because there are more internal advertising campaigns, Mexican tourism has educated itself more, globalization is not only a matter of communication, but also a cultural issue, we must notice that the children of the middle and low class part of society has already gone to school, to universities and already use the computer and has realized that there is a thing called vacation which is an integral part of a living system, then there is an internal pressure on families to take them, so that Mexican tourism has increased significantly and regarding the loss of foreign tourism, in terms of people, Puerto Vallarta has not entirely been lost.
TOURISM RECOVERY
NEARBY, BUT ...
+ Is there evidence of a recovery in the U.S. market?
Yes, very marked. I think that the economic and political situation of the U.S. has not improved 100 percent, however I do notice signs of recovery in tourism, there is more confidence in the people, there is a better attitude toward Mexico, people continue with their wishes of vacationing, it is because for Americans and Canadians vacationing is not a luxury, but a lifestyle.
Is it possible that the upcoming winter season (December to May) will be the start of a full recovery in the tourism industry in Puerto Vallarta?
Yes. Next winter we could hope to recover at least 40 percent of our losses, which seems to me like a very important figure.
Once the outlook for the tourism industry in Puerto Vallarta finally clarifies, what opinion do the tax reform proposals of the federal government in tourism deserve?, Where it is proposed to eliminate the zero VAT rate of to conferences and conventions, land passenger transport and eliminate the deductibility of consumption in restaurants ...
That is a very sensitive issue of great concern to hoteliers and the tourism sector in general. For me the worst are not only these measures, these proposed changes in the law of federal government revenue, because they are debatable, you can amend and improve, you can make some not go through, that not all go trough or are changed, it's all about how to handle it...
So what is the main concern?
What concerns me -and is really dangerous- is the federal government's attitude towards tourism, on the one hand we are being told seven months ago (when the President Enrique Pena Nieto came) that tourism is first, that the support to tourism will be given, which will strengthen all destinations that are already established and that new developments are not going to open because the supply is already saturated, etc.... but it turns out that we suddenly find that not only these changes are made to the law of income with this new proposal presented by the Executive, but that there are some indications that it is so true that tourism is created.
Does tourism in Mexico deserve more attention?
I think so, tourism is much more viable, even than the energy reform, it is easier to offer support and make laws for tourism to grow more than oil; in addition, tourism is a matter that starts working immediately because the supply and service structure in Mexico is already established and well established.
Ignacio Cadena Beraud estimated that before levying with taxes some activities that have to do with the tourism industry, it is necessary that the federal government provides more tax incentives to improve facilities, access credits, mortgage facilities to modernize hotels.
"Actually there are few amenities for those who want to upgrade their facilities or create another set of services with new investments, then I wonder if there is within the federal government's strategy a formula to improve conditions in the country, we must not forget that tourism is one of the most important engines for economic development ".

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/29/el-turismo-la-mejor-opcion-para-el-desarrollo-economico-del-pais"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

Celebration around the high level of cuisine that can be found in this region

A feast of flavors will be held at Paradise Village in Riviera Nayarit between October 17 and 20, when the Vallarta-Nayarit Gastronómica will take place, a celebration around the high level of cuisine that can be found in this region and that also offers lectures, tastings, expos, food samples, competitions and cooking shows.

This was announced on Wednesday September 25 during a press conference offered by Grupo Excelencias, event organizer, at the host hotel where they also said that they expect approximately 800 participants to the seminars.

"This is an event that reaches its fifth edition, which is not easy as we all know. But it's a fifth edition in which we have grown substantially in quantity and quality", said Carlos Elizondo, of the organization.

"This growth is possible thanks to the sum of wills. In truth we have to thank many people who are participating. We could not do an event of this caliber without the support of many people, "Consuelo Elipe meanwhile pointed out the joint promotional effort of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, which is shown in events of this transcendence.

The president of the Association of Hotels and Motels in Bahia de Banderas, Fernando González Ortega, stressed the importance of food as an attraction that shares the Vallarta-Nayarit region and said that events like this not only attract visitors, but contribute to the training and continuous improvement of the cuisine of the region, which in turn reinforces the other promotional activities.

"Among the most important aspects is that the staff of the restaurants and the hotels has this exposure to new things, and the motivation to serve with more passion to provide better products. Remember that one of the main areas of tourism promotion of Vallarta-Nayarit is the food, so it is also very important to involve educational institutions", said Ortega.

Vallarta-Nayarit Gastronómica, in addition to the demonstrations, tastings and gala dinner; in the educational part, features curricular recognition, which will be supported by the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (Univa).

The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Riviera Nayarit is a non profit civil association that operates under the auspices of the Association of Hotels and Motels of Banderas Bay to promote the Riviera Nayarit.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/26/vallarta-nayarit-gastronomica-promete-una-fiesta-de-sabores"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

Hotels and businesses in the tourism industry of Barra de Navidad, Tenacatita and La Huerta received the "M" distinction as businesses that are certified in quality

Several hotels and businesses in the tourism industry of Barra de Navidad, Tenacatita and La Huerta received on Friday the "M" distinction, which means that they approved different stages of programs related to quality and modernization of their management system.

During the ceremony, the Secretary of Tourism, Enrique Ramos Flores, noted the interest of the State Governor, Aristóteles Sandoval, in this region and said that he will grant the necessary tools to accomplish this goal.

"The year 2014 is looking very promising for the actions that will be carried out, and by the hand of the municipal authorities, it will be possible to put in display the different destinations of this region",said Ramos Flores.

Before hoteliers and service providers, the Minister of Tourism celebrated the training that various businesses on the beaches of Costalegre obtained and he expressed that "with these elements and our interest in tourism development we can move forward".

THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The companies recognized with the "M" distinction are: Bungalows Las Arenas, Festival del Mar Melaque, Guía de Turistas Certificado, the hotels Playa Casa Chips, La Quinta Posadas Real Cuastecomates. Río, Sarabi, Trivento y Villas Las Golondrinas, the Posada Pablo de Tarso, the restaurant Lety, Sea Master antro bar&Méxicolinfo and Villas El Rosario San Andrés, among others.

The "M" distinction is given out by the federal Ministry of Tourism through external trainers who receive ongoing instruction for this purpose and the Secretary of Tourism of Jalisco (SECTURJAL) serves as a liaison to grant such recognition.
In Mexico, the micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) represent 90 percent of the current supply of tourist services, for which their strengthening in terms of training and modernization are key.

MODERNIZATION
The Federal Ministry of Tourism, through the Modernization Program for SMEs, developed the Quality Modernization Program, management system that enables companies to improve the quality of their services, improve the profitability of their businesses and create a work environment that is participatory and humane.

Through the Quality Modernization Program, tourism companies can encourage their employees and increase their level of profitability and competitiveness based on a modern form of leading and managing a tourism company.

In a competitive environment characterized by globalization, the global position that Mexico has achieved could only be maintained, overcome and reinforced responding better than competing countries in terms of quality.

Tourism competitiveness implies sustainability and quality of business productivity in order to be in a position to generate a superior income than the average competitor and create wealth among the population.

That is why the Mexican tourism sector needs to develop a leadership position based on competitiveness and modernization of their business, thus enabling it to respond to new trends of demand and adapt to its changes and higher quality requirements, always manifesting a deep respect for the environment.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/21/capacitacion-constante-clave-para-el-desarrollo-turistico"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

The Bachelor of Design for Graphic Communication at the University Center of the Coast, received the accreditation testimony, that was delivered by the teacher. Alejandro Tapia Mendoza, President of COMAPROD (Mexican Council for Accreditation of Programs of Design), where the technical committee decreed, at its meeting on October 1st, 2012, the Academic Program of Design for Graphic Communication as ACCREDITED, condition in which the program would be in effect from that date until October 1st, 2017.

No doubt this Accreditation record is part of the globalization of the different processes that allow CUCosta, to develop in an increasingly competitive world, because every day in the field of education the necessary standards are adopted to achieve a recognition of the quality of studies that provide the best universities of our country and the world.

It is noteworthy that, the Bachelor of Design for Graphic Communication of the University Center of the Coast is the tenth accredited career, making it possible for around 80% percent of the students of this university, to take quality programs, as today it has accredited the careers of Bachelor of Administration, Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor in Accounting, Bachelor of Design for Graphic Communication, BS in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Tourism and three postgraduate degrees being these the Master of Business Administration, Master in Technologies for Learning and Doctorate in Biosystematics, Ecology and Management of Natural and Agricultural Resources.

For his part, Dr. Marco Antonio Cortes Guardado, Rector of the University Center of the Coast, commented "You are culminating a stage, but are starting another, the most difficult and complicated one, as you must maintain the quality that you have achieved and consolidate the standards that are now recognized in you. He assured that this community will be able to maintain this accreditation for five years, showing the COMAPROD, that we have continuously improved in all areas, as the University of Guadalajara is the higher education institution with most accreditations in the country even more than the National Autonomous University of Mexico".

In this regard the teacher Alejandro Tapia Mendoza, President of COMAPROD (Mexican Council for Accreditation of Programs of Design) congratulated all those involved in this process, since it takes into account infrastructure, budget, operational programs, planning and other items that show the quality of education that will provide an accredited degree, and that such accreditation is carried out with the aim of creating a leading educational institution that promotes the continuous improvement of teaching and learning processes, that are relevant and sustainable and are recognized for their comprehensive instruction, professional goal set for the University of Guadalajara in the Vision 2030.

This delivery was attended by Dr. Marco Antonio Cortes Guardado, Rector of the University Center of the Coast, Dr. Jorge Tellez Lopez, Academic Secretary of the University Center of the Costa de la Universidad de Guadalajara, Dr. Edmundo Andrade Romo, Director of the Division Social and Economic Studies of the University Center of the Coast, Prof.. Marcela de Niz Villaseñor, Career Coordinator for the Bachelor of Design of Graphic Communication and the teacher Alejandro Tapia Mendoza, President of COMAPROD (Mexican Council for Accreditation of Programs of Design).

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2013/09/19/estudios-de-calidad-con-nueve-acreditaciones-en-el-cucosta/"]Source: NotiVallarta Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

National Irrigation Convention

In Puerto Vallarta agriculture has a key role in its economy, by having more than seven thousand acres for farming, said Ramón Guerrero

In welcoming the participants of the XVII National Irrigation Congress, the mayor, Ramon Guerrero Martinez, said that forums like this are essential to channel public policies and actions of the three levels of government to give impetus to the Mexican fields.
Above all, he said, in a city like Puerto Vallarta where agriculture has a key role in its economy, by having more than seven thousand acres of which only a thousand 393 have modern irrigation."The effort and work they will do today and during this week, will produce good results. That will greatly help the federal and state governments and, of course, it will help the municipal governments and the associations, to improve their public policy"
And he added: "It will be an important tool that allows us, whom today are in the executive, to be able to count on that work and that effort that allows us to improve the production quality of the fields, the modernization of the fields of Mexico," he underlined.
In this sense, he recognized that the work that the National Association of Irrigation Specialists (ISNA) makes ​​in this sector, providing information, input and work at different levels so that farming is not only modernized with technological irrigation systems, but also so that it continues moving towards more and better production.
During the inauguration of the event, the Vallartan mayor handed the National Irrigation award 'Ing Abelardo Amaya Brondo ' of the Universidad Autonoma Agraria "Antonio Narro" next to the deputy general of the Hydro-agriculture Infrastructure of the National Water Commission, Oscar Javier Lara Aréchiga, who led this act; the president of the ANEI, Enrique Mejía Sáenz and federal authorities and of the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, as well as the engineers Francisco Javier Herrera Lezama, Miguel Ángel Solís Montemayor and Jorge Antonio Argueta Spinola, for their work in this sector.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/05/se-suma-alcalde-al-trabajo-para-modernizar-al-campo"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

With a clear interest of transparency and to monitor the correct application of the proceeds of the Water Supply and Sewerage in Urban Areas (APAZU) in the rehabilitation of the North Central Manifold in its third phase, on Wednesday the Social Audit Committee APAZU 2013 SEAPAL was constituted.

César Abarca Gutiérrez, director of Seapal Vallarta, reported this and said that the intention is to seek that the citizenship, through this committee, assists in monitoring tasks through site visits, and validates that the money allocated for this purpose is exercised properly. He noted that in addition to monitoring activities, the committee shall maintain a record of the work carried out, prepare a report of the findings and receives complaints and reports on the application of resources.

He recalled that the Audit Office is an entity created nearly two decades ago, which aims to regulate citizens applying for resources through federal programs. He said that the committee began a series of commitments to provide and disseminate information on the work of other bodies, confirm the exercise of public resources for the work, double check that it meets the established performance deadline and avoid that this program is used for other purposes. "The formation of this committee, is a requirement that all organizations or institutions implementing federal resources must meet to do work or programs; it is indicated and required by the regulations of the Secretary of the Civil Service", emphasized Abarca Gutiérrez. He voiced that meeting these guidelines, is part of the vision of Vallarta Seapal to produce works of quality and at the same time use this so that people help to oversee these works. "We must make the works and apply resources in the best way.

The Audit Office at the same time will help us monitor the progress of the work; the programs of physical and financial progress will be reviewed. Obviously we will be accepting criticism and complaints that citizens can make us", underlined the director of SEAPAL. He said that SEAPAL has a Site Supervision Department, under the command of Alexander Padilla Viorato, and that the members of this committee will be important allies in what the current administration intends to achieve: "works of quality and transparency so that the public is aware of what the parastatal is doing to benefit the city".

Priority for Seapal.

He said that he was motivated by the interest and participation shown by the people who make up the committee. He noted that the rehabilitation of the North Central Manifold in its third phase, which includes the stretch of Mexico-Mojoneras Avenue, between the avenues Los Poetas and Las Palmas, is a priority of care for Seapal Vallarta and will start in the coming weeks to finalize before the next December 31st.

Lizette de Alba Cervantes, student of Civil Engineering at the Centro Universitario de la Costa of the University of Guadalajara, said that to be part of this committee is an important challenge. "I appreciate it very much and thank Seapal for taking into account the students for being part of this audit office, I agree to comply with my activities and obligations that we acquired. Tell society that we will be aware of every step of this project and that we will be telling everyone about it". The Social Audit Committee APAZU 2013 SEAPAL, is integrated by Oscar Solís Trujillo, Lizette de Alba Cervantes, Diego Joaquín Robles Meza, Juan Carlos Santos Esparza, Isela Martínez Ortiz and Juan José Gómez Martínez.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/05/dara-seapal-total-transparencia-a-obras-del-colector-centro-norte"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

In August more than a thousand people were served

The intention is to provide the treatment and service deserved by those who are the mainstay of the organization in this city

One of the areas that SEAPAL Vallarta has decided to strengthen in the current administration is the User Services department, in order to provide the treatment and service deserved by those who are the backbone of the performance and operation of the agency, said the owner César Abarca Gutiérrez .
He said that by diversifying attention mediums and the use of technological innovations that have been implemented in the first six months of office, much progress has been made in this regard, as only in the month of August more than a thousand users were serviced in various issues related to drinkable water and drainage services.

"In this issue we are also working hard in doing our share, because the most important and fundamental aspect for Seapal, are our users, to whom we owe and whom deserve to be treated with care and dignity in their complaints and concerns", said Abarca Gutierrez.

In this regard, the Head of the Department User Support, Rocío Cerón Fregoso, said that the agency assisted an average of seventy people per day during the month of August directly in the service modules, with reports of leaks, high consumption, meter changes, agreements or extensions to the potable water or drainage, being the major issues that were serviced.

She added that as a result of the diffusion of services and technological innovations that Pemex has begun, in August the number of users who came to use the ATM machine that the agency has at its headquarters was able to increase to 400.

She mentioned that the department staff of which she is in charge has a history of each administrative process that the user goes to make, in order to provide a more warm, efficient and personalized service, in addition to supporting other administrative processes that the user requires in other areas or departments.

Cerón Fregoso recalled that the user support is also available in social networks, through the BlackBerry PIN and the application Whatsapp, from 6 in the morning until 9 at night via switchboard, which offers the same services through telephone.

She added that the alternative ways of communication that the agency has put in disposition of the user, have gained wide acceptance among the population to capture reports, leaks and other services provided by the parastatal.

Meanwhile, César Abarca said that the introduction of these technologies to Seapal "has also enabled us to capture new 'water guardians' or people who are on the lookout for all the information services that are done daily by the system".

In this context, the agency's director urged the public to make use of social networks on the various platforms that the system offers, for "due to its current use, where distances and times are shortened, they can help us provide better service in the streets, where a phone with a camera and internet, can be our eyes to an eventuality", he said.

He said the short-dial telephone service "073", although it is in a process of testing, is now available for use from landlines for Telmex customers and he expects to increase coverage in the coming weeks via mobile phone.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/09/04/fortalece-seapal-vallarta-su-area-de-atencion-a-usuarios"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]