Jobos Beach in danger

Source: Edlyn M. Vega Rodríguez

The beautiful Puerto Rican beach of Jobos is about to be privatized. Isabela Council’s administration has 60 days to get the funds that are necessary to buy three extensions adjacent to Jobos. If they don’t get the funds, the property will become an expensive private project.

The property includes a parking area, a commercial building and residential constructions. It has been on sale for two weeks now and at least three bidders –some Florida investors and local people- are interested on it.

Jobos beach in Isabela has always been visited for hundreds of tourists with their families. This is also a place where hundreds of surfers surf every day.

In just 60 days the transaction would block public access to the beach. It’s still being negotiated if the private owner will build a platform for community access to the beach.

Mayor Carlos Delgado Altieri is willing to buy the three adjacent extensions to Jobos Beach, so he has already asked for the documents that are necessary to apply for a loan.
He said that he will not allow a private owner to keep the beach.
The Mayor pointed out that 30 days ago Engineer Amilcar González requested the Town Council’s permission to negotiate and study the Emilio Perez’s offer. However, “we haven’t received an answer yet. This process takes time. We are willing to make it but we need some documentation”, said the Mayor.

Delgado Altieri admitted that this place is very important not only to the people from Isabel but to the whole island. “I’m determined to negotiate and to look for the best solutions because I know how important this area is to all of us and to Puerto Rico”, he emphasized.

The villagers are warned. People who love the beach and care for the environment should become aware of this problem.

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