Arias Promises Municipalities More Money Through Taxation
Shortly following the inauguration of the XII Asamblea de Unión de Ciudades Capitales de Iberoamérica (UCCI), Costa Rican president, Óscar Arias Sánchez, assured that his government plans to generate more money for the municipalities by forcing owners of property to declare the real value of their property and pay the corresponding tax.

"The municipalities constantly complain and with reason that they don't have sufficient funds", said the president.

For the government to obtain more money for the local municipalities, the president assured that his government is considering new proposals that will obtain more income for municipalities because "Costa Ricans don't declare the real value of their homes, offices, etc."

And for that reason, the president said that his government will take steps to require owners to declare the real value of their property to the Dirección General de Tributación Directa (the taxman). "The municipalities will be able to move ahead quickly with the process of urbinaztion", said Arias.

The words of the president echoed in the Teatro Nacional as he insisted that the municipalities move ahead with the urban challenge of creating communities with a quality of life and human dignity. The words were part of the opening remarks of the XII Asamblea de Unión de Ciudades Capitales de Iberoamérica (UCCI), and before the mayors of 26 major cities.

Arias assured that "democracies need to provide security, education, employment and a healthy environment in the construction of their societies."

In his opening speech, Madrid's mayor and president of the UCCI, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, criticized those politicians who shield their political retort to avoid the social responsibility to its citizens.

The Asamblea de la UCCI, that ends tomorrow, is held every two years.