UCCAEP Requests Audience with President Chaves Following Controversy over Cartago Hospital
The Costa Rican business coalition UCCAEP seeks dialogue with President Rodrigo Chaves after criticisms regarding the Cartago hospital construction process.
The Unión Costarricense de Cámaras y Asociaciones del Sector Empresarial Privado (UCCAEP) has formally requested an audience with President Rodrigo Chaves to discuss mutual interests and enhance communication channels.
This request follows a week after President Chaves publicly criticized the organization’s representatives on the Board of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) regarding their stance on the potential awarding of the construction contract for the new hospital in Cartago.
In a statement, UCCAEP emphasized that dialogue remains crucial for fostering agreements aimed at advancing the country’s economic and social development.
The organization highlighted that sustainable growth cannot be achieved through confrontation.
During a press conference held at Casa Presidencial on March 5, President Chaves reprimanded UCCAEP representatives for not opposing the possible awarding of the hospital project to a second-place bidder, Van der Laat y Jiménez.
This criticism arose after the first-place Mexican contractor, Promotora y Desarrolladora Mexicana de Infraestructuras, withdrew from the project, citing uncertainties in the political climate.
The current administration opposes the proposed construction site in the canton of El Guarco, which had been previously acquired by the CCSS.
The government insists that an alternative location must be found for the medical center.
In response to this situation, President Chaves announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at removing business organization representatives from the boards of public institutions.
He referred to the representatives as a 'national embarrassment' and accused them of having conflicts of interest related to the contracting process.
In an internal letter published the following day, Maritza Hernández Castañeda, the President of UCCAEP, characterized the president's comments as defamatory and stated that the organization intends to defend itself through appropriate legal channels.
On March 12, UCCAEP reiterated its belief that the requested audience could serve as a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors for the benefit of all citizens.
The organization contended that the bidding process for the Cartago hospital should be determined by technical and scientific considerations rather than political influences.
Furthermore, it advocated for the issue to be referred to the CCSS Purchasing Board, in line with the regulations governing procurement.
Simultaneously, the financial management division of the CCSS has suggested reviving the construction project by awarding the contract to the second bidder in the tender process.
This request follows a week after President Chaves publicly criticized the organization’s representatives on the Board of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) regarding their stance on the potential awarding of the construction contract for the new hospital in Cartago.
In a statement, UCCAEP emphasized that dialogue remains crucial for fostering agreements aimed at advancing the country’s economic and social development.
The organization highlighted that sustainable growth cannot be achieved through confrontation.
During a press conference held at Casa Presidencial on March 5, President Chaves reprimanded UCCAEP representatives for not opposing the possible awarding of the hospital project to a second-place bidder, Van der Laat y Jiménez.
This criticism arose after the first-place Mexican contractor, Promotora y Desarrolladora Mexicana de Infraestructuras, withdrew from the project, citing uncertainties in the political climate.
The current administration opposes the proposed construction site in the canton of El Guarco, which had been previously acquired by the CCSS.
The government insists that an alternative location must be found for the medical center.
In response to this situation, President Chaves announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at removing business organization representatives from the boards of public institutions.
He referred to the representatives as a 'national embarrassment' and accused them of having conflicts of interest related to the contracting process.
In an internal letter published the following day, Maritza Hernández Castañeda, the President of UCCAEP, characterized the president's comments as defamatory and stated that the organization intends to defend itself through appropriate legal channels.
On March 12, UCCAEP reiterated its belief that the requested audience could serve as a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors for the benefit of all citizens.
The organization contended that the bidding process for the Cartago hospital should be determined by technical and scientific considerations rather than political influences.
Furthermore, it advocated for the issue to be referred to the CCSS Purchasing Board, in line with the regulations governing procurement.
Simultaneously, the financial management division of the CCSS has suggested reviving the construction project by awarding the contract to the second bidder in the tender process.
