Spanish
Hondo Valle.- The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, assured that the El Cercado–Juan Santiago–Hondo Valle highway constitutes a key work for the integral development of the southern region, highlighting its impact on connectivity, agricultural production and the tourism potential of the benefited communities.
"This road has a special meaning for the region and also for us," said the president during the inauguration, noting that Hondo Valle has both an agricultural and tourist vocation.
"Hondo Valle has areas that reach up to 1,200 meters above sea level, and the town itself is between 900 and 1,000 meters, which gives it a very special tourist vocation for the entire south from a mountainous point of view," he indicated.
Abinader highlighted that these natural conditions favor not only mountain tourism, but also agricultural production, especially that linked to temperate climate crops and greenhouses.
"Here we can create the greenhouse products needed for the tourism development of Pedernales, which is one of the main bets of the Government," he affirmed.
The head of state recalled the historical difficulties of access to the area and stressed that the work responds to a debt accumulated over decades.
"When they said 'I reached Hondo Valley,' it was like saying they had reached the last point, because of how difficult the journey was. That has already changed," he maintained.
In that sense, he recalled that this was one of the roads that, despite the passage of time and the different governments, had never received a comprehensive intervention.
"Since we came to the Government we said that it had to be done, no matter the cost, because it had to be done. That is how development is built," the president emphasized.
Abinader stated that the road is part of a broader vision for the development of the south of the country.
"This work is part of our vision for the development of the south. Not only so that the inhabitants have the road they deserve, but because this highway is the beginning of the agricultural and tourist development of this region," he expressed.
The leader highlighted the significant reduction in travel time between communities.
"The journey that used to take around two hours can now be done in just 18 to 20 minutes from El Cercado to Hondo Valle," he pointed out, which, in his opinion, creates new opportunities for investment and local growth.
Finally, the president encouraged the community members to take advantage of the new access conditions to promote productive and tourist initiatives.
"I hope many people are encouraged, not only in the matter of greenhouses, which we are going to support, but also from a tourist point of view, with very pretty cabins distributed in the region," he stated.
