On the Campaign Trail with Oscar Requeña in Toledo West

Incumbent P.U.P. area representative, Oscar Requeña, has embarked on a massive campaign in the Toledo West constituency to retain his seat in the House of Representatives.  Requeña is being challenged by former U.D.P. area representative, Juan Coy, who has also mounted a spirited campaign in that division, which the PM is already conceding going as far as to say that without or without Toledo West, his party will bring in the south.  While Requeña has hit the ground running since elections have been announced for November fourth, the issues voters face are perennial.  Villages in Toledo West are lacking basic water systems and a number of them are without electricity.  News Five caught up with Requeña who tells us that the campaign for re-election has been lively.

Oscar Requeña

Oscar Requeña, P.U.P. Area Rep., Toledo West

“I must say that it has been a very, very exciting experience.  You know, right after the prime minister announced the election I certainly called all the troops together, we had a very big meeting with representatives from every community.  We basically got them battle ready and, you know, thereafter, as of last week Monday we actually launched the campaign and we are visiting community by community.  I’m actually having two community meetings daily and I must say that we are well received, that people are ready for the change.  Mike, I literally have a convoy of vehicles.  I have over three hundred people accompanying me daily, anywhere between two hundred and fifty to three hundred people are accompanying me daily to my community meetings.  So there is great excitement, there is great expectation.  The people of Toledo West, just like the rest of Belize, are waiting for the change.  They are certainly going to speak on November fourth and they are going to change the government, no doubt about that.”

Mike Rudon

“I know that every area is localized and has different issues that the people face.  What are the issues that you are hearing in your area?”

Oscar Requeña

“Well man, the issues in my area were confirmed by the prime minister on Sunday during his visit to Punta Gorda.  He basically conceded and he confessed to the people of Toledo that he was abandoned Toledo West.  He said that, the prime minister said that.  So none other than the prime minister of this country confirmed what the people of Toledo West and the people of Toledo know, that the United Democratic Party has abandoned the Toledo District for the last eight years my friend.  What are the issues?  Roads, roads, roads are in the worst conditions.  No job opportunities, economic opportunities are very poor.  The health system is broken down Mike, broken down.  I mean people are having serious issues with health.  Basic equipment in the hospitals, medication, that’s a serious problem.  Water systems in our communities, after eight years of a U.D.P. government not a single water system has been built in my constituency.  I still have six communities without water, Mike.”

News Five will continue to follow other candidates in the south in the days leading up to the general elections.