Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Now that the municipal government has fulfilled its commitment to resume daily garbage collection, Mayor Arturo Dávalos Peña has turned his attention to the next two steps of the program - sanctions for those who do not respect the schedules and the separation of waste - both of which will move Puerto Vallarta closer to its goal of being a green and functional city.

"As Puerto Vallarta progresses and grows, keeping our city clean and orderly is everyone's responsibility; We want a nice port for the tourists who come to enjoy this destination," said the municipal president.

After giving the new daily garbage collection system the 'green light,' last week at the Unidad Deportiva de La Lija, the mayor announced that his team is ready to start taking the next steps to advance the plan.

"The City Council is doing its part, we now ask neighborhood councils, social leaders, presidents of chambers, schools and associations, to help us, not to leave us alone. We are doing our part and, if in turn, each one of you does his part, we will have the Puerto Vallarta that we want," he said.

"The next stage will be getting those who do not care for this tourist destination in line, that is, the issuance of sanctions to those who do not respect the collection schedule and put their garbage out on the street whenever they want, thereby damaging the image of the city and endangering the health of the people," the mayor said.

"The third stage will require communication because it involves the changing of habits, teaching people the importance of separating the garbage from their homes. In that we will also work very hard, because it will only make Puerto Vallarta more and more beautiful," Arturo Dávalos Peña said.

He emphasized the importance of continuing to advance the program because, "the city and the people are committed to making this destination as God intended, and we are taking historic steps. Last year Puerto Vallarta was considered the best tourist destination in México, and this year is even better. Do not neglect it, we must take care of our environment, beaches, rivers, mountains, garbage collection, we must be a healthy port. That is the commitment and task of us all."

In addition, the mayor said that he has worked to have a landfill that is recognized by Semadet as one of the best in the state of Jalisco; and that cell number three, which includes a membrane that prevents contamination of the subsoil and groundwater in such a way that it complies with all ecological standards, is currently being built.

The Public Services Directorate, headed by Rodolfo Domínguez Monroy, will soon announce the details of the next stages of the city's garbage collection program.