A group of construction works is being carried out in the northern municipality of Manatí, the venue this year of the Provincial Act for the 64th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution. In an effort to conclude at the scheduled time, various MSMEs from all over the eastern region of the country met there.

Manatí, Las Tunas.- In the former Sugar Union, the members of the Mártires de Manatí credit and services cooperative (CCS) decided to join forces to finish an agricultural market of a new type, which conditioning had begun five years ago, but the constant shortages of materials stopped its completion more than once.

Last June 18, with the support of the Government and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in the municipality, they made possible the resumption of this facility. Rafael Pérez Castro, the president of the CCS and in charge of this effort, assures that "the market is the result of the contribution of the Support Project for Agricultural Intercooperation (APOCOOP) for the municipality and is part of the cooperation between the 12 cooperatives involved, which will be responsible for the supply. Here, we will sell the products, which vary between root vegetables and green vegetables, and grains.

"We also have the supplies provided by the mini-industry that our CCS owns, which is capable of providing canned goods, and depending on the meat production, sheep or pork will be offered... In this same place, a juicer will open, and fruit for its supply depends on the work contract between producing units that include several provinces.”

A few streets later, the hustle and bustle at the Mártires de Manatí nursing home is evident. It has 80 capacities for internal patients and 15 for semi-boarding.

To salute the victory of the entire Cuban people, some of its 83 workers joined in supporting the revitalization underway, which mainly obeys the completion of a cubicle, to avoid overcrowding.

"The works include the improvement of the rustic wood-burning stove, the most used for cooking food," explains Leilys Pérez Naranjo, the director of the health institution. The new one will have the necessary conditions for our workers, which will improve the quality of the meals.”

In this case, it is a space out, in the open, away from the liquefied gas stove, which made the process of preparing the corresponding menu each day complex, especially on rainy days. Its existence became essential due to the difficult situation of the municipality with the arrival of liquefied gas. Although the center has the contracts for five cylinders, it has not received them for some time, so it was necessary to resort to this rustic, but feasible alternative.

"General repairs are carried out in terms of painting, exteriors, and another group of actions aimed at the excellence of the care provided to the elderly and favor the work of assistants, nurses, and doctors," the director said.

Another work with a great social impact is the Accommodation Center. Madelaine Carralero, a Commerce investor in the town, explains that "previously we did not have a premise like this. Today, there is a facility of 12 rooms, which have undergone a complete reconstruction, from the floor to the paint on the walls.

"For its realization, a small company from the province of Holguín was hired; they will deliver the center ready to start being used, already with its furniture and supplies. The budget for this capital repair amounts to 20 million pesos."

The challenges continue, and although much remains to be done, the inhabitants of Manatí are encouraged by these actions and feel their land is alive.