Cuenca Urges National Government to Speed Up $93 Million Water Loan Guarantee

During the solemn session on November 3, 2026, marking the 206th anniversary of Cuenca's independence at the Salón de la Ciudad, Acting Mayor Marisol Peñaloza formally requested that the national government expedite a $93 million sovereign guarantee. This guarantee is currently being processed with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund investments aimed at preserving the city's water supply through 2050.

Water security remains a focal point of municipal infrastructure planning, alongside ongoing local sanitation efforts. Peñaloza noted during the event that the Guangarcucho wastewater treatment plant has reached an 82% construction progress rate.

In addition to water initiatives, the solemn session highlighted key municipal investments in education, transportation, and mobility infrastructure. The local government signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Culture to renovate 19 educational units across 17 urban and rural parishes. This $982,892 investment is structured to benefit over 8,700 students, teachers, and staff members.

Regarding long-term transit planning, the Municipality is managing the reconstruction of the runway at Mariscal La Mar Airport for 2027, with an estimated investment of around $17 million. Furthermore, local authorities are developing the Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2026–2036, which incorporates approximately 34 distinct measures for the city.

Sources: elmercurio.com.ec.

Image: AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary depiction of the events reported.