A member of the Security Council on the Cabildo, Nieves Rosa Arroyo, has put forward a potential approach aimed at supporting residents and small businesses in Puerto Naos and La Bombilla. The proposal would declare the affected zones as disaster areas due to ongoing gas emissions from volcanic activity, with residents displaced by the accumulation of volcanic gases and related hazards.
The core idea, as Arroyo explained to reporters, is to shift the focus from immediate compensation alone to ensuring sustained protection and assistance for people who have lost homes or found themselves living in temporary housing while recovery plans unfold. The intent is to offer a clear pathway for those who still face uncertainty about the future after the event.
Arroyo notes that those who suffered direct losses through home destruction have often received insurance payouts or state aid. In contrast, residents of La Bombilla and Puerto Naos worry about what lies ahead, especially since some have not yet found stable housing or permanent solutions to rebuild their lives. The legislator argues for a defined timeline to guide decisions, suggesting a deadline such as December 25, one year after the eruption was officially deemed over.
If high concentrations of carbon dioxide persist in these coastal zones, scientists warn that the air quality may remain dangerous and incompatible with healthy life. In such cases, the area could be reaffirmed as a disaster zone or managed under a framework that prioritizes public safety while supporting gradual recovery.
Arroyo emphasizes that any policy must be discussed and agreed upon within the island government coalition, which includes the major parties, to determine the appropriate regulatory framework and the potential impact on compensation funds. The proposal recognizes that gas emissions may decline over time, but it pushes for a plan that accounts for months or even years of uncertainty about the gases’ behavior.
The aim is to provide concrete options that reduce ongoing distress and avoid a situation where residents are trapped by fear or lack of information. The idea acknowledges that some residents may prefer to wait out the situation, while others who have steady employment could receive support to relocate and rebuild elsewhere, reducing the burden on families still living in precarious conditions.
To illustrate how the plan might work, Arroyo refers to the closure and reopening dynamics seen in other local businesses during the recovery period. For instance, a pharmacy in Puerto Naos remained closed during the crisis in Todoque and La Laguna, but later reopened in a different location, illustrating how essential services can adapt to upheaval while residents are displaced.
Regarding the evacuated neighbors, a group of 104 people still staying in hotels, the Cabildo has explored options to help them return when conditions allow, while maintaining vigilance about the presence of gases in high concentrations. The overarching goal remains to prevent further hardship amid ongoing scientific assessments, balancing caution with compassion for those affected and a commitment to restoring normal life as soon as it is safe to do so.