Valparaíso Governor Rodrigo Mundaca is facing heavy criticism following revelations that no new reservoirs or desalination plants have been completed during his term. Critics point to a disconnect between the administration's political rhetoric regarding water rights and the tangible results delivered to the region.
According to data presented in a recent opinion column, there has been zero progress on major water infrastructure in the region. Regarding large-scale reservoirs, records show no completed projects and no new construction started since July 2021.
The situation is similar for large-scale desalination plants. The report indicates that no new facilities of this type have been completed, with current efforts limited to projects already underway or still in the study phase.
Cabinet Pay Raises
The criticism extends beyond infrastructure. The governor is also facing scrutiny over pay raises of up to 35% for his cabinet members, which took effect this past February.
These salary hikes prompted a formal complaint to the Comptroller General's Office by the president of a local foundation. The move has made Valparaíso's Chief of Staff the highest-paid official in the country within his specific category.
The regional administration attempted to justify the increases through Resolution No. 5 of 2024. However, the same regulation states that its provisions will not take effect until March 2026—a move critics have labeled an exercise in "administrative creativity."
The Valparaíso Regional Government is currently operating without effective internal oversight. The position has remained vacant since the start of the current administration, and the recruitment process launched in January is still in the evaluation stage.
