Miches.- More than a year and almost two months have passed since the collapse of the Miches Pier in the province of El Seibo. It appears that the authorities have forgotten about restoring it. The pier, which was once a bustling tourist attraction and symbol of the community, now lies in ruins, posing a danger to anyone who visits.
The Miches Pier was opened with great fanfare on September 4, 2020, costing over 52 million pesos. It was a must-visit location for tourists and served as the main attraction in the area. Unfortunately, Hurricane Fiona left the pier in deplorable condition, with a significant portion of its structure on the ground. The remaining structure is also deteriorating, posing a clear danger.
The collapse of the pier has led to a significant drop in tourism, with approximately 90% of tourists no longer visiting the area. This decline has caused local businesses to suffer, with a substantial decrease in sales.
Residents and tourism operators are now urging the authorities to rebuild the pier. They emphasize its vital role in the local economy. Eddy Hernández, a tour operator, expressed concern about the deteriorating structure and the urgent need for reconstruction. Talks about putting the project out to tender have been mentioned, but visible progress is lacking, leaving the pier vulnerable to further damage or complete collapse.
Miches was once a thriving tourist destination when the pier was intact, attracting a steady stream of visitors. Yurith Pirón, a neighbor of Miches, expressed disappointment in the current state of the pier and urged the authorities to prioritize its reconstruction to revitalize tourism.
The decline in tourism since the collapse has severely impacted local vendors. Juan Vázquez, who manages the Miches craft market, explained how his sales have decreased because potential visitors are deterred by the absence of the pier.
Feliz Antonio Gutiérrez Santana, representing the Planning and Programming Department of the Mayor’s Office of Miches, echoed the sentiments of local merchants. Santana noted that promises were made for prompt reconstruction, but no concrete timeline has been provided despite several engineering evaluations. The pier is crucial for local activities, and Santana urged the authorities to accelerate its reconstruction to rejuvenate the local economy and tourism.