Living in Peru : your everyday companion

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The province of Quillabamba, in Cusco, is currently without any power supply, since last night a landslide hit Electrosur facilities, located in Machupicchu, to the east of Cusco city.

Electrosur reported that a huge rock fell on this power station, in Quillabamba, capital of the province of La Convención (Cusco), and that the problem may not be fixed in atr least one week.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mines, Pedro Sanchez, said that provisional equipments to temporarily replace the damaged ones are to be installed in the town of Santa Maria, where there ir a sub-station.

This would provide some power to the area until the station is fully operational again.

Sanchez clarified that the landslide did not affect Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Central facilites.

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Some 3,000 local residents, including members of many regional unions and guilds, arrived in Cusco city, coming from inner provinces, to demonstrate in the streets demanding the government to cancel the bidding of the Majes-Siguas project, and to allocate an additional budget to rebuild the region after the floods.

The strike is being partially observed in Cusco, especially in the province of Espinar, and even public transportation drivers have joined.

In order to prevent further incidents, Cusco airport is under police surveillance now, and activities are developing normally up to now.

However, the organizers have announced that “the real protests will take place on March 24,” that is, one day before the envelopes with the biddings for Majes Siguas II are opened.

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Floods originated by Tumbes river have caused losses in the agriculture production worth S/.21.7 million (some US $7.2 million), reports the Regional Directorate of Agriculture.

They also indicate that S/.14.258 million (US $4.8) correspond to flooded fields, and more than 600 hectares are completely lost. Some of the most affected crops are rice, bananas, corn and soy bean.

Thus, regional authorities are requesting that the region is declared in state of emergency, so that the regional government can take care of the situation with its economic resources, which total approximately S/.2.5 millones (US $800,000).

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Standard and Poor's credit rating agency expects Peru's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow by 5.5% this year and 2011, while inflation may be 1% and 2.5% respectively, the lowest inflation levels in the Latin American region.

According its report called "A Solid Rebound For Latin America In 2010,” this would make Peru the second fastest growing economy in the region in 2010-2011.

During 2010 Peruvian economy will be surpassed only by Brazil (8%) and in 2011 by Panama (6%), the report forecasts.

The report also states Latin American real GDP (weighted average) should grow 4.5% in 2010 and 4.25% in 2011, after contracting 2.2% in 2009.

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

After several public statements made by Peru's Prime Minister Javier Velásquez Quesquén, mentioning that S/.65 million (US $21 million) would be allocated to help emergency situations in Cusco, some union representatives claim now that residents have not seen much of that help.

Hipólito Salas, shown in the photo, President of the Front for the Defense of Machu Picchu District's Interests, said that no machinery has been sent yet to the area, and that there is only a very old and inoperative caterpillar in the Santa María - Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric central.

Salas also claims that National Institute of Culture has not taken actions up to now, regarding the pedestrians bridge that is damaged in the Km. 82 of the Inca Trail.

“There are some towns that are still isolated and the residents are forced to travel for long hours if they want to go somewhere else.”

(Photo: La Primera)

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Chiclayo has started a Protection Network for Tourists, with its Mayor Roberto Torres Gonzales as its President, reports TNews.

This Protection Network aims to fight against and to stop the offences and crimes directed towards domestic and foreign tourists in Chiclayo, according to Andina News Agency.

The Directive of this special network is integrated by several officials from Peru's National Police, representatives of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Lambayeque, and the municipal tourism office.

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

In Peru, 25% of homes are led by women who assume both parental roles in order to raise their families, said Nidia Vilchez, Minister of Women's Affairs and Social Development, a few hours before celebrating March 8, International Women's Day.

Vilchez remarked that these women struggle to educate their children, and added that his office will develop programs health and education program intended to help them, and to reduce current discrimination at workplace.

Vilchez reported that in recent years more women are reporting cases of domestic violence to Women's Emergency Centers, 60% of cases in urban areas and 40% in country areas, and that in Peru, approximately 12 women are killed by their partners every month.

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Chiclayo city, in Peru's Northern region of Lambayeque, registered a unusually heavy rainfall that lasted for more than ten hours, causing the rivers' water levels to increase significantly.

Local residents expressed their fears regarding possible surges or big floods.

Moreover, Carlos Balarezo, regional chief of National System of Civil Defense in Lambayeque, reported some floods in Chiclayo's main avenues and shanty towns, generating problems for local traffic.

The residents requested heavy equipment to build dikes, in order to protect their houses from a possible surge of the Reque River, which would cause damage in Monsefú and Ciudad Eten.

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Hundreds of residents of the district of San Gaban, in the Puno province of Carabaya, marched against the Inambari Hydroelectric dam project, reported local daily Los Andes.

Some local roads and avenues were blocked, which prevented vehicular traffic from circulating normally; however commerce and transports in urban areas of Puno and Juliaca were almost normal.

The Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, a local university, was taken by a group of students, who marched afterwards by Puno's main avenues, causing damages in the Puno Regional Government Office and even threw stones a police patrol.

San Gaban residents expressed their opposition to the Inambari project and claim  they were never consulted about it.

Have news you'd like to see in LivinginPeru.com? Contribute an article, whether it's translated or based on your own reporting. Contact editor@livinginperu.com.