← Environmental Law Center← Centro de Derecho Ambiental
Res. 19235-2024 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 09/07/2024
OutcomeResultado
The non-compliance claim is granted for failure to comply with the judgment ordering resolution of the water shortage in Miravalles I, and the current authorities are warned of the sanctions under Article 71 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law.Se acoge la gestión de desobediencia por el incumplimiento de la sentencia que ordenaba solucionar el desabastecimiento de agua en Miravalles I, y se apercibe a las autoridades actuales con las sanciones del artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional.
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Court granted the non-compliance claim against the respondent authorities for failing to comply with Judgment 2019-012231 regarding the water shortage in the Miravalles I urban development project in Tirrases, Curridabat. Despite multiple Court orders and extended deadlines that expired on May 8, 2024, the problem has not been resolved. The authorities (AyA, Municipality of Curridabat, Health Area Directorate) acknowledge that their proposed schedules are not definitive and would delay the solution until at least the first half of 2027, which the Court finds disproportionate after almost five years since the original judgment. The Court emphasizes the lack of efficient and expeditious action, which violates fundamental rights of the community. The current responsible officials are warned of possible criminal sanctions under Article 71 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction.La Sala Constitucional declara con lugar la gestión de desobediencia por parte de las autoridades recurridas en el cumplimiento de la sentencia 2019-012231, relativa al desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, en Tirrases de Curridabat. A pesar de las múltiples órdenes de la Sala y plazos prorrogados que vencieron el 8 de mayo de 2024, el problema no ha sido resuelto. Las autoridades (AyA, Municipalidad de Curridabat, Área Rectora de Salud) reconocen que los cronogramas propuestos no son definitivos y prolongarían la solución hasta al menos el primer semestre de 2027, lo que la Sala considera desproporcionado tras casi cinco años desde la sentencia original. La Sala recalca la falta de una actuación eficiente y célere, que conculca derechos fundamentales de la comunidad. Se advierte a los actuales jerarcas sobre posibles sanciones penales según el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional.
Key excerptExtracto clave
Based on the foregoing, the non-compliance claim is granted in relation to Judgment 2019012231 of 9:30 a.m. of July 5, 2019, specifically regarding 'addressing the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban project, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed to definitively resolve said issue, within a maximum period of 24 months'. [...] The respondents are warned that, in accordance with Article 71 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction, imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo proceeding and fails to comply with or enforce it, provided the offense is not more severely punished.Con base en lo expuesto, se acoge la gestión de desobediencia en relación con la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, específicamente en cuanto a “la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses”. [...] Se advierte a los recurridos que, de conformidad con el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"se acoge la gestión de desobediencia en relación con la sentencia nro. 2019012231 [...] en cuanto a 'la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I'"
"the non-compliance claim is granted in relation to judgment 2019012231 [...] regarding 'addressing the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban project'"
Por tanto
"se acoge la gestión de desobediencia en relación con la sentencia nro. 2019012231 [...] en cuanto a 'la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I'"
Por tanto
"Se advierte a los recurridos que, de conformidad con el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir"
"The respondents are warned that, in accordance with Article 71 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction, imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo proceeding and fails to comply with or enforce it"
Por tanto
"Se advierte a los recurridos que, de conformidad con el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir"
Por tanto
"las propias autoridades recurridas reconocen que los cronogramas propuestos [...] no son definitivos, sino que se encuentran sujetos a variaciones que prologuen aún más el plazo previsto para su culminación, el cual actualmente se prevé para el primer semestre del año 2027, todo lo cual deviene desproporcionado, máxime si se considera que la primera sentencia de este proceso se dictó hace casi cinco años"
"the respondent authorities themselves acknowledge that the proposed schedules [...] are not definitive but are subject to variations that further extend the expected completion deadline, which is currently projected for the first half of 2027, all of which is disproportionate, especially considering that the first judgment in this case was issued almost five years ago"
Considerando VI
"las propias autoridades recurridas reconocen que los cronogramas propuestos [...] no son definitivos, sino que se encuentran sujetos a variaciones que prologuen aún más el plazo previsto para su culminación, el cual actualmente se prevé para el primer semestre del año 2027, todo lo cual deviene desproporcionado, máxime si se considera que la primera sentencia de este proceso se dictó hace casi cinco años"
Considerando VI
Full documentDocumento completo
TRANSLATION (English):
Constitutional Chamber Date of Resolution: July 9, 2024 at 09:30 Case File: 19-003040-0007-CO Type of Matter: Amparo appeal CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine thirty hours on the ninth of July two thousand twenty-four.
Post-judgment petition filed by Nombre5628 , in relation to judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019.
Whereas:
Lidier Esquivel, head of the Risk Research and Analysis Unit of the National Emergency Commission, as recorded in Minute MC-GIR-002-01-2023 of the Miravalles Interinstitutional Commission, in which he states that he “agrees with the zoning proposal, states that he reviewed the slope instability study and concurs with the technical opinion, indicating that it is an unobjectionable proposal.” Folios 01320 to 01323.
Regarding what was stated by this Health Governing Area, on the occasion of the progress report of the Miravalles Interinstitutional Commission of July 9, 2021, in relation to carrying out an engineering study for each housing unit located in the Miravalles II informal settlement, based on the vulnerability and threat conditions of the studies to be conducted, it is currently unnecessary due to the results obtained in the study contracted by the Municipality of Curridabat, 2021LA-000009-0023100001, company Rever-Ing S.A and GAVEA Ingeniería, Final Report Engineering services for integral and complete design (plans, budget) of risk management works in the Canton of Curridabat Line No. 2: Slope Stability Miravalles II - Slope stability analysis with geotechnical studies in identified high-risk zones, as well as the criteria issued by the National Emergency Commission, the Comprehensive Risk Management Department of the Municipality of Curridabat, and the vulnerability zoning by risk and zones made impossible by the Cerros de La Carpintera Management Plan for risk mitigation works defined within the Miravalles Interinstitutional Commission.
Based on the aforementioned study, the various pronouncements related to the property, and primarily, because it is a public domain asset, it became necessary for this Health Governing Area to inform, through official letters MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-2012-2023 and MS-DRRSCS-795-2023, dated March 13, 2023, the Ministerial Office and the Directorate General of Health of the situation occurring on property Dirección5706, so that those instances, by virtue of their hierarchy, could make the necessary decisions to implement concrete actions to achieve compliance with what was ordered by the Constitutional Court. Folio 01332 to 01335.
Another situation subject to resolution by this local Health Authority was the definition of the legal procedure to follow regarding the issuance of a sanitary order to the registered owner of the property, by virtue of the provisions of numeral 321 of Law 5395, General Health Law; given that, in this specific case, as it is a public domain asset registered in the Name62 of the Ministry of Health, such an order should, in principle, be addressed to the institutional head. However, as derived from the binding criteria of the Legal Affairs Directorate at the central level, numbers: MS-AJ-FG-3469-2022, dated December 14, 2022, and ratified in official letter MS-AJ-CB-388-2024 dated March 7, 2024, it is established that the legally appropriate action is to issue a technical report to whoever holds the position of legal representative of the Ministry, that is, to the institutional head, setting out the account of facts or factual picture, the existing technical reports, and the recommendations of what is appropriate, indicating deadlines, as well as the request for instructions to proceed. Folios 01301, 01587 to 01590.
Precisely in compliance with the issued legal criteria, the Constitutional Chamber is informed that through official letters MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-2012-2023 and MS-DRRSCS-795-2023, dated March 13, 2023, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-0936-2023 of October 20, 2023, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-152-2024 of February 28, 2024, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-167-2024 of March 1, 2024, and MS-DRRSCS-678-2024 of March 19, 2024, the situation presented on the property where the Miravalles II Informal Settlement lies and the actions taken by this Health Governing Area were made known to the Ministerial Office and the Directorate General of Health, as well as the request for the execution of actions as political entities of the high hierarchy of the Ministry of Health, so that the corresponding actions are adopted within their scope of action for the intervention of the sector. Folios 01332 to 01335, 01498 to 01500, 01565 to 01573, 01574 and 01575.
Thus, on February 26, 2024, this Health Governing Area, together with the Directorate General of Health and the Ministerial Office, participated in a meeting at the Vice-Ministry of the Presidency for Administrative Affairs and Institutional Liaison, with the purpose of managing the presentation of the Miravalles II Informal Settlement case to the Comprehensive Eviction Response Commission (Comisión de Atención Integral de Desalojos, CIAD), resulting from the lack of response to official letter MS-DVM-10573-2022 dated December 8, 2022, and with the aim of carrying out a more coordinated interinstitutional process at the time of executing the intervention for the eviction of people located in the defined zones of high vulnerability due to landslides. Folios 01299 and 01300.
In this manner, through official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-135-2024, of February 26, 2024, a formal request is made to the CAID, and on March 4, 2024, the Miravalles II Informal Settlement case is presented to the Comprehensive Eviction Response Commission, with the subsequent issuance of Certification of Agreement 001-2024 in firm from the Comprehensive Eviction Response Commission (CAID), sent by email on March 11, 2024, which states: “…That in accordance with the Minutes Book of the Comprehensive Eviction Response Commission (CAID), Agreement Number ZERO ZERO ONE TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR is on view, taken in the ordinary in-person session ZERO ONE, held on Monday, March 4, 2024, which is in firm and indicates the following: AGREEMENT N°001-2024-CAID, the Comprehensive Eviction Response Commission agrees:
According to the provisions of the aforementioned agreement, the case was not taken up by the CAID as it did not meet the requirements of Executive Decree No. 39277-MP-MSP-JP-MIVAH-MDH-S. Faced with this situation, the pertinent consultations were made to the Ministry of Public Security regarding the procedure for the declaration of social vulnerability, and through official letter MS-DRRSCS-678-2024, dated March 19, 2024, the Minister of Health was informed of the actions taken, as well as the factual scenarios that must be considered in the institutional decision-making for addressing the intervention process of the Miravalles II Informal Settlement and the request for actions within the scope of competence of the institutional hierarchy. Folios 01610 to 01613.
In this way, this honorable Chamber is informed that various meetings, both virtual and in-person, have been held internally within the Institution, with various authorities such as the Ministerial Office, the Directorate General of Health, the Administrative Directorate, the Legal Affairs Directorate, so that each Directorate is aware of the problem presented in Miravalles II, based on the results of the study contracted by the Municipality of Curridabat on slope stability, as well as the criteria issued by the National Emergency Commission, the Comprehensive Risk Management Department of the Municipality of Curridabat, and the Miravalles Interinstitutional Commission, for decision-making and to define, in a coordinated manner, an intervention from the scope of organic competence of the Ministry of Health, on the property where the Miravalles II Informal Settlement is located.
In this regard, a series of requests for information have been made by this Health Governing Area and the Directorate General of Health to government bodies with the purpose of having the greatest technical criteria, as well as the necessary information for defining the actions and steps to follow in the intervention of the sector. Among these requests are:
1. On October 2, 2023, Minute MC-GIR-0031-10-2023, session of the Miravalles Interinstitutional Commission, the official and final presentation of the social survey through the FIS form was made by IMAS, concluding the following data: Survey of 110 FIS forms (1 per dwelling), for a total of 396 identified persons. There are 114 households in the 110 identified dwellings. Of the 396 persons, 221 are women and 185 are men. 76 households with female head of household are reported, 72 households with minors, 10 households with older adults, 11 households with persons with some degree of disability. The cited census constitutes a relevant input for the interinstitutional intervention of the sector, as it is necessary to work with a unified list so that actions are directed at the same population.
Within the framework of the principle of interinstitutional coordination and through official letters MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-136-2024 dated February 26, 2024, MP-DMP-DVA-OF-103-2024 dated February 27, 2024, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-215-2024 dated March 14, 2024, email dated April 16, 2024, in follow-up to official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-215-2024, and official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-361-2024 dated May 20, 2024, the Joint Institute for Social Assistance (IMAS) was requested the data from the census conducted during 2023, requiring for such purposes “…a unified list of the FIS Census Forms, containing identification data: Name62, first and second surname, identity number (ID card, CED52606, passport) of the heads of household and the persons residing in the dwelling, location of the dwelling indicating district, neighborhood or hamlet and georeferencing if available, telephone number(s) and email address of the head of household…”. The cited information aims to carry out the process of preparing and notifying the sanitary orders prior to the eventual eviction. Folios 01554 to 01555, 01557 and 01558, 01605 to 01607, 01635, 01740, 1741.
Given the lack of response from the Joint Institute for Social Assistance, this Health Governing Area Directorate referred the situation to the Office of the Ministry of Health, through official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-0428-2024 dated June 5, 2024, so that within the scope of its competencies through political channels, it could request a formal response from IMAS to the petition of this Organizational Unit. Folios 1758 and 1759.
That only until June 11, 2024, was notification received of official letter IMAS-PE-1189-2024 with annexes official letters IMAS-PE-0793-2024 and IMAS-PE-AJ-0617-2024, where the Executive President of IMAS, Ms. Nombre5632 , communicates that the information contained in the FIS Forms is considered sensitive in accordance with Law 8968 “Law for the Protection of the Person regarding the processing of their personal data”, as it contains socioeconomic information, and therefore it is not possible to send it to the Curridabat Area Directorate. Likewise, informed consent was not provided during the census, so it is also not possible to provide the information. Folios 01765 to 01773.
In light of the foregoing, from the Joint Institute for Social Assistance, a new official letter will be prepared clarifying to that entity that this Health Governing Area Directorate is not requesting the socioeconomic conditions from the FIS forms, as what was requested was the identification of the persons: name, first and second surname, identification number, dwelling location indicating district, neighborhood or hamlet, and georeferencing if available, telephone number, and email address, with the sole purpose of issuing sanitary orders to the inhabitants of the sector considered vulnerable, given that by constitutional mandate, the sanitary orders must be notified in a highly personal manner to the inhabitants of the Miravalles II sector in compliance with due process.
2. On March 14, 2024, through official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-0207-2024, the intervention of the National Animal Health Service (SENASA) was requested so that, within its scope of competence, it could issue the procedure to follow regarding the census and management of domestic animals in the Miravalles Settlement sector prior to an eventual eviction of people located on the property. On April 16, 2024, follow-up was given via email to official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-0207-2024. Given the lack of response from SENASA, on May 20, 2024, a response to the petition of March 14, 2024, was again requested, and officials of this (sic) Health Governing Area Directorate appeared at the Central Oriente Regional Directorate on May 23, 2024, to make contact with that institution and inform them of the situation to be intervened in the Miravalles II sector. On June 10, 2024, official letter SENASA-DRCM-0140-2024 was received, in which that entity issues a pronouncement regarding its actions, indicating for such purposes that each family is responsible for the animals in its care, both companion and breeding animals.
On the day the families are notified of the eviction process, an official from the SENASA Central Oriente Regional Directorate will accompany each team from the Health Governing Area to inform the families of the procedure. Likewise, on the day the eviction operation materializes, SENASA officials will be present for the necessary support if required. Folios 01601 and 01602, 01636, 01738 and 1739, 1752, 01774, 01775.
3. On March 19, 2024, official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-0207-2024, official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-0289-2024 of April 19, 2024, and MS-DRRCS-DARSCU-359-2024 were notified to the Ministry of Public Security, Director of Operations, regarding the need to have information on the categorization of the security risk zone corresponding to Dirección5707 , in order to define the coordination to carry out with that ministry in the process of notifying the sanitary orders prior to the eventual eviction, as well as the assistance from that body for the protection of Ministry of Health officials. Through MSP-DM-DVURFP-DGFP-DO-0234-2024 of April 10, 2024, and UAC-00832-DG1-DO-2024 dated June 4, 2024, the requested information was notified to determine the danger categorization of the sector (delinquency, organized gangs, contract killings, among others) of the Tirrases sector where the Miravalles II Informal Settlement is located. The information provided leads to a more detailed planning of possible interventions at the site. Folios 01608, 01609, 01622, 01623, 01653, 01654, 01735 and 01736, 01754 to 01757.
4. On April 17, 2024, official letter MS-DGS-1025-2024 was notified to the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). This official letter seeks to obtain a technical criterion from this entity on whether property N°3083603-000 in the Name62 of the Ministry of Health is totally or partially affected by any provision of Law N°7575 Forest Law (Ley Forestal), the extent of the affected area, the management category, current status, land use, and whether there is any type of concession in said area. Through official letter MS-DGS-1341-2024 dated May 21, 2024, follow-up was given to official letter MS-DGS-1025-2024; however, as of the date this report is rendered, no formal response to the petition has been received. Folios 01645 to 01646 and 01743 and 01744.
Additionally, it is noted that there is a pronouncement from the Ministerial Office, under sequence number MS-DM-1899-2024, of April 23, 2024, in which this Health Governing Area Directorate is instructed that, in response to official letter MS-DRRSCS-678-2024 of March 19, 2024, the institutional head has decided to carry out the ordinary eviction process, indicating for such purposes “…the due process must be initiated through the notifications that will be carried out by the police authority in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of executive decree N°37262 of June 14, 2012…”. Furthermore, it is indicated that a timeline is being prepared visualizing the future timeframes for the public procurement process of the services required for the eviction of the people located in the risk zone. It is also communicated that regarding the sector of the Miravalles II Settlement not subject to vulnerability by risk, efforts are being made to provide a responsible and adequate solution for the people residing irregularly on said property, taking into consideration that housing solutions or financial aid for potential affected persons fall outside the institutional competencies of this Ministry. Folios 01662 to 01664.
In accordance with official letter MS-DM-2294-2024 dated April 29, 2024, which forwards official letter MS-DA-0390-2024 dated April 25, 2024, related to a timeline for a major bidding scenario according to the thresholds to determine the procurement procedure for the eviction with an average duration of 236 days, a period that does not include the execution of the works to be contracted, in order to have an estimate of the costs involved in the intervention on the property once the eviction in the high landslide vulnerability area is executed, so that the higher authority of the Ministry of Health can proceed to take the corresponding actions to secure the budget. Folios 01665 to 01668.
Finally, this honorable Chamber is informed that currently, the Ministry of Health, with the participation of the three management levels—Central Level represented by the Ministerial Office, Directorate General of Health, Legal Affairs Directorate, and Administrative Directorate; Regional Level represented by the Central Sur Regional Directorate of Health Governance with its Legal Affairs Unit; and Local Level represented by the Health Governing Area Directorate with its work team—has prepared a proposal for institutional intervention in addressing the vulnerability by risk sector and the sector not subject to this condition, in the Miravalles II Informal Settlement.
Said proposal contemplates, for the vulnerability by risk zone, four operational axes to cite: physico-sanitary axis, appeal phase axis, administrative axis, and eviction operationalization axis. Likewise, for addressing the property not vulnerable by risk, actions have been defined seeking to obtain more information for decision-making regarding its intervention. Regarding the cited axes for the intervention of the vulnerability by risk zone, the following actions are established:
1. Physico-sanitary axis: The main objective of this component is the process of preparing and notifying sanitary orders, for which the following is required: a. Reconnaissance of the sector subject to eviction with a unified population census and field visit. b. Preparation and legal validation of the sanitary orders. c. Notification of Sanitary Orders with an action plan, which must contain the human resources, equipment, and institutional budgetary resources for the implementation of the notification process. d. Coordination and synergy among the different management levels of the Ministry of Health, as well as interinstitutional coordination with the Municipality of Curridabat, the Ministry of Public Security, and Municipal Police for the respective support at the time of notification, with SENASA regarding the census and intervention of animals, and social approach with MIVAH, IMAS, and the Municipality of Curridabat. Depending on the results yielded by the census conducted by IMAS, coordination must be carried out with other entities such as PANI, CONAPAM, CANAPDIS, IAFA.
2. Appeal phase axis: In order to carry out the administrative actions respecting due process, the recipients of the eviction sanitary orders must be guaranteed an appeal phase that ensures the legitimate exercise of their right to defense. This is a stage in which the administration must receive the filing of ordinary Appeals for Reconsideration with or without subsidiary Appeal, Amparo Appeals, Precautionary Measures before the Administrative Litigation Court, and any other defense mechanism permitted by law, with the purpose of establishing the finality of the administrative acts. This esteemed Constitutional Chamber is informed that the estimated period for this phase will depend on the quantity, form, and type of legal proceeding initiated by the affected parties, with the possibility that the process could extend for months or even years if the matter becomes judicialized.
3. Administrative axis: This axis aims at managing the budgetary resources necessary for the sanitary axis and the operationalization of the eviction. The main activities to be developed by the Ministry of Health through the Ministerial Office, Directorate General of Health, and Administrative Directorate correspond to cost studies for administrative procurement according to terms of reference, budget management, overtime, and materials for the process of notifying administrative acts.
4. Eviction operationalization axis: This stage includes the process of operationalizing the eviction, and in accordance with the pronouncement of the Ministerial Office, MS-DM-1899-2024, it must be carried out in the ordinary manner, for which due process must be initiated through the notifications that will be executed by the police authority in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of executive decree N°37262 of June 14, 2012. Parallel to this process, the respective coordination must be managed at the Political Level through the Ministerial Office and the Directorate General of Health, so that the possible social interventions that the state can provide to the population subject to eviction are resolved jointly with entities such as IMAS, MIVAH, and the Miravalles Interinstitutional Commission, and others that need to be involved according to the results of the census conducted by IMAS.
Once the administrative acts related to the eviction of the property and buildings corresponding to the vulnerability sector of the Miravalles II urban settlement are final and binding, the process of executing and supervising the administrative procurement, taking possession of the property, and its administration and safeguarding will begin, preventing future invasions.
Regarding the property considered without vulnerability by risk, through official letter MS-DM-1899-2024, of April 23, 2024, the Ministerial Office communicates: …”efforts are being made to provide a responsible and adequate solution for the people residing irregularly on said property…”. Among the current actions, a response from SINAC is necessary regarding the property's affectation by any provision of Law N°7575 Forest Law (Ley Forestal). Once this criterion is available, the respective actions regarding the intervention of the property will be established.
Lastly, the Constitutional Chamber is informed that through official letter MS-DM-3097-2024 dated June 11, 2024, a budget modification for ₡960,000,000 was requested from the Ministry of Finance to execute the actions linked to the process of materializing the eviction in the Miravalles II Sector. Folio 01784.
In this regard, and as has been pointed out in this report, this local Health Authority, together with the regional and central levels, is taking the pertinent actions with the aim of intervening on the property where the Miravalles II Informal Settlement lies, achieving its effective eviction, and thereby addressing the results issued through the study contracted by the Municipality of Curridabat, 2021LA-000009-0023100001, company Rever-Ing. S.A and GAVEA Ingeniería, Final Report Engineering services for integral and complete design (plans, budget) of risk management works in the Canton of Curridabat Line No. 2: Slope Stability Miravalles II - Slope stability analysis with geotechnical studies in identified high-risk zones. However, this honorable Chamber must bear in mind that the sector to be intervened, due to its topographic, geological, economic, and social characteristics, represents a risk both from the technical and security standpoint for its own inhabitants and for the institutions called upon to lead the response processes for this type of sanitary emergencies.
Therefore, it is emphasized that the approach or intervention in the sector is complex and depends on an interinstitutional approach, compliance with due process, as well as the management of budgetary resources not contemplated in specific or projected state budget lines. While it is true that there is an institutional commitment to materialize the eviction process as soon as possible, the Constitutional Chamber is reminded that this will depend on the completion of the phases, as well as on emerging situations in due process, budget, or social assistance solutions for the inhabitants of the sector, as well as on the actions of the other respondent institutions and state assistance bodies.
Likewise, it is necessary to indicate to the Constitutional Chamber that at the time Judgment Resolution N°2019012231 of July 5, 2019, was issued, there were no pending eviction sanitary orders in the sector, nor were the required studies available for the intervention of the sector. It was not until the end of 2022 that the Municipal entity reported on the slope stabilization report, the technical support used from that moment on by this Health Governing Area Directorate, as well as the Regional and Central Levels of the Ministry of Health, to carry out various actions ranging from requests for information, technical and legal criteria both internally within the institution and with other entities, interinstitutional meetings, as well as budget management – all actions with the ultimate purpose of having all the factual elements to safeguard the actions of this Ministry and materialize the eviction process.
THIRD: regarding the order, “…that within a period of 6 months they coordinate and resolve the matter related to the complaint filed by the petitioner on May 28, 2018, concerning the black water problem, and notify him of what was resolved…”, it must be clarified to the Constitutional Chamber that the intervention of this problem corresponds to the Sector of La Ponderosa in Tirrases, in accordance with the object of the complaint that precedes the Amparo Appeal. Therefore, it must be reiterated to the Constitutional Chamber THAT JUDICIAL SENTENCE N° 2019-012231 PERTAINS TO TWO DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE TIRRASES DISTRICT. Regarding the drinking water supply and landslide vulnerability risk zone, it corresponds to the Miravalles I-II sector, and regarding the black water problem, the affected sector is La Ponderosa.
That on March 20, 2018, complaint # 33413 was filed by Nombre5633 due to the poor evacuation of black water flowing around the premises of the La Ponderosa Christian Church. Mr. Nombre5633 is the pastor of the religious center. Folios 00001 to 00009.
That on April 26, 2018, an inspection was carried out by Eng. Gustavo Ramírez Gaucherand, environmental manager of the Health Regulation Process of the Curridabat Health Governing Area, at the La Ponderosa Christian Church, at 10:20 hours, where Mr. Nombre5633 indicated that there is a black water evacuation problem at the site, as several communities, among them he cited: Dirección7865 , Dirección7856 , Dirección7857 , Dirección7858 , and Dirección535 , discharge their black water into a body of water whose course flows along the west side of the Church, generating problems of bad odors and black water overflows in the rainy season toward the religious center where the community congregates. It was explained to Mr.
Nombre5633 that several communities are filing complaints at the same time, without specifying homes or streets, meaning this is a complex case in which numerous inspection visits must be scheduled to verify the actual facts of the complaint, and therefore there must be coordination between the Ministry of Health and community leaders to schedule an action plan to identify the illegal blackwater connections. That, in parallel, AyA is carrying out construction works to connect the wastewater from Tirrases for its subsequent conveyance to the Los Tajos treatment plant, La Uruca. Therefore, Mr. Nombre5633 was told that the ideal approach was to ascertain the progress of the AyA project, and thus assess the need to carry out a wastewater disposal study for several communities, which could take several years to materialize, and to consider the advisability of making the community incur an extra expense to implement septic tanks for their eventual short-term use, since they would have to connect to the sanitary sewer system once established, also taking into account the socio-economic difficulties of the inhabitants of these communities.
Folio 00010. To begin monitoring the homes in the vicinity of the Christian Church, a dye test was conducted at the home of Nombre5634, who rents the room; the dye test was positive. However, a pronouncement from AyA was awaited to coordinate the pertinent actions for solving the problem. It is observed that the watercourse is mainly composed of wastewater, and at that point there is no body of water formally recognized by any state institution competent in the matter, so it is suspected that it may be a channel that could have been created to evacuate stormwater from the former Río Azul landfill (located 500 meters from where this photograph was taken). To which the surrounding communities have apparently connected illegally to inadequately dispose of their wastewater. As recorded in on-site inspection report No. 185-18. Folio 00010. That on May 21, 2018, Engineer Gustavo Ramírez requested via email, specifically to Lic. Manuel López Fonseca of the AyA Collection and Treatment Directorate, to provide information on the areas in the canton where a sanitary sewer system exists, for which they provided the sanitary sewer coverage layers in the canton, from which it is visualized that, currently, the housing developments in the process of intervention in Directorate5716 are Dirección7866 and Dirección7867, but not the La Ponderosa housing development.
(Folios 00011 to 00015) That on May 28, 2018, Mr. Nombre5635 filed complaint #34058, indicating the same problem of improper wastewater disposal, even authorizing Pastor Nombre5633 as a contact to follow up on the complaint. Folios 00016 to 00025. That on May 31, 2018, a call was made to Mr. Nombre5635 to inform him of the actions taken; however, he did not answer the phone. As recorded in on-site inspection report No. 280-18. Folio 00026. That on July 23, 2018, Mrs. Nombre5636, from the Ministry of Health's services comptroller office, requested a report on the actions taken regarding the complaint filed by Mr. Nombre5635, who stated he had not received a response on the case. Folios 00027 to 00028. That on Dirección7859, report CS-ARS-CU-RS-524-18 was sent to Mrs. Nombre5636, indicating the actions of this Health Directorate Area regarding said complaint, in which, in the conclusions section, it was stated that AyA was being consulted on the progress status of the sanitary sewer works in the district of Tirrases, specifically in the La Ponderosa Housing Development.
In the event that the implementation of the sanitary sewer system was foreseen as long-term, steps would be taken to coordinate with Mr. Nombre5635 to schedule inspection visits to determine those responsible for the improper disposal of blackwater. Folios 00029 to 00031. That on July 26, 2018, an email was sent to Lic. Manuel López of AyA, to inquire about the progress on the sanitary sewer connection works in the La Ponderosa sector and to mention the timeframe planned to intervene at this site. Folio 00032. That on July 27, 2018, AyA responded to the inquiry via email, which stated: "Regarding the La Ponderosa sector in Tirrases, some of the works that formed part of the scope of the Acciona contract for Redes Sur were indeed executed, the same ones that were left unfinished. Said works (remainder) are considered for completion in a future Redes Sur tender, which I believe is scheduled under the Name62 of 'Redes Sur: Work 3'.
However, the connection of these networks to the system will depend on the execution of the collectors that convey said waters to the WWTP. For the connection of the Tirrases networks to be effective, the construction of the Tiribí Extension is needed. Which, according to the latest version of the PEP submitted by Mauricio, begins execution in the third quarter of 2019 and ends in September 2021." The information provided by personnel of the Potable Water and Sanitation Program (PAPS) is cited verbatim. Therefore, AyA has planned the intervention in said district with the installation of networks to evacuate blackwater starting in the second quarter of 2019, ending in December 2020, with the parallel construction of the general wastewater collectors starting in the third quarter of 2019, ending, as projected, in September 2021. Folios 00032 to 00033. That on August 7, 2018, Deputy Silvia Hernández Sánchez requested information on the improper disposal of blackwater in the community of Tirrases.
Folios 00034 to 00038. That on August 14, 2018, Engineer Gustavo Ramírez sent an email (the one indicated on the complaint form) to Mr. Nombre5635 requesting a meeting for him to present the blackwater impact and to more precisely delimit the areas to be investigated; however, no response has been received (sic) to the request from the Ministry of Health. Folio 00039. That on August 21, 2018, a phone call was made to Mr. Nombre5635, with whom it was possible to speak and coordinate a new inspection for August 24, 2018, at the Christian church in the La Ponderosa Housing Development, with Mr. Zamora and representatives of the affected communities. Folio 00040. That on August 22, 2018, official communication CS-ARS-CU-RS-594-18 was sent to Deputy Silvia Hernández, in response to her request, in which she was informed about the actions taken, and that an inspection visit was scheduled for August 24, 2018, with Mr.
Nombre5635 and various community leaders to focus on the points to be intervened and investigated. Folios 00041 to 00043. That on August 24, 2018, Engineer Gustavo Ramírez Gaucherand presented himself at the facilities of the Christian church in the La Ponderosa neighborhood; however, only Mr. Nombre5633, the church pastor, appeared. Mr. Nombre5635 and the interested community leaders did not appear to carry out the conceptualization of the most critical places to act according to the criteria of these actors, since they face this situation daily and as agreed in the previously cited phone call. Likewise, Mr. Sánchez was informed that, after the consultations made to AyA, it is estimated that the sanitary sewer networks and collectors would be operational in this community by 2020-2021. Mr. Sánchez indicated that the community leaders were not present during the inspection, as it is complicated for them because they are working days, so it was tentatively agreed, and pending confirmation, to meet with the community leaders on Saturday, September 8, in the afternoon at the Christian church at Dirección535, to map out the places to intervene and investigate regarding the disposal of blackwater.
However, said confirmation was not received from the complainants, so there was a lack of interest on the part of the complainants in providing adequate information for the Ministry of Health to carry out the pertinent investigations. Folio 00044. That on March 4, 2019, an amparo appeal was filed under case file 19-003040-0007-CO, filed by Nombre5628 and Nombre5635, against the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA), the Municipality of Curridabat, and the Health Directorate Area of Curridabat, the latter specifically, for the lack of control of blackwater that contaminates the Tiribí River, for which the Constitutional Chamber granted a period of 3 business days to submit a report on the actions taken regarding the complaint. Folios 00045 to 00047. That on March 7, 2019, official communication CS-ARS-CU-D-0322-19 was sent to the Constitutional Chamber in response to the report requested by this body due to the amparo appeal process under case file 19-003040-0007-CO of February 27, 2019.
Folios 00048 to 00053. That on October 15, 2019, via official communication MS-DRRSCS-CU-1313-2019 dated October 3, 2019, the sitting mayor of the Municipality of Curridabat, Mrs. Alicia Borja Rodríguez, was asked for information on the delimitation of the La Ponderosa community, in order to proceed to schedule the dye tests to be carried out at the reported site. Folios 00054. That on October 15, 2019, via official communication MS-DRRSCS-CU-1320-19 dated October 3, 2019, Mr. Douglas Alvarado, Director of the Territorial Information System of the Municipality of Curridabat, was asked for information on the owners of the properties in the La Ponderosa community, in order to expedite the process of notifying sanitary orders to the persons on whose properties the blackwater from their homes is improperly discharged. Folio 00055. That from October 24, 2019, to February 12, 2020, 21 homes were inspected at Dirección535 to verify the disposal of blackwater in the homes located in the sector referenced in the complaint, where dye tests with sodium fluorescein were conducted in the sanitary service of the homes.
Folios 00063 to 00088. That as of January 2020, the health authorities activated the international sanitary epidemiological emergency protocols due to the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China. The World Health Organization (WHO) alert of January 30, 2020, was generated after a new type of coronavirus was detected in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which has caused deaths in different countries around the world. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a broad family of viruses that can cause various conditions, from the common cold to more serious diseases, as occurs with the coronavirus causing Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), the one causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and the one causing COVID-19. That on March 16, 2020, the President of the Republic of Costa Rica declared a national state of emergency throughout the territory of the Republic of Costa Rica, due to the health emergency situation caused by the COVID-19 disease.
No. 42227 - MP – S. Therefore, despite the fact that a state of emergency was declared in the country due to the Coronavirus until mid-March 2020, for weeks prior, the Ministry of Health and its regional and local areas were focused on attending to the national emergency due to the aforementioned pandemic, interfering with the regular functioning of complaint handling, including the process of dye tests at Dirección535 and the notification of the respective administrative acts. That according to resolution No. 2020020111 of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of October 20, 2020, Mr. Jimmy Cruz Jiménez, as mayor of the municipality of Curridabat, and Mrs. Melissa Arguedas Arce, as director of the Health Directorate Area of Curridabat, were ordered to comply with the provisions of judgment No. 2019-012231 of July 5, 2019, that is, that within a period of 6 months, what pertains to the complaint filed by Nombre5635 on May 28, 2019, be coordinated and resolved, in relation to the blackwater problem at Dirección535, and that the resolution be notified to them.
(Folios 00106 to 00116). That on October 23, 2020, official communication MC-PMA-1254-10-2020 was received from Mr. José Manuel Retana Vindas, head of the Environmental Protection department of the Municipality of Curridabat, requesting coordination of field inspections to address the problem of environmental pollution from wastewater. Folio 00118. That via official communication MS-DRRSCS-ARSCU-2275-2020 of November 6, 2020, Mrs. Melissa Arguedas Arce responded to Mr. José Manuel Retana Vindas, head of the Environmental Protection department of the Municipality of Curridabat, indicating the dates from November 2 to November 26, 2020, for conducting joint dye tests to verify the reported problem. Folios 00119 to 00120. In order to determine the management and disposal of blackwater from the homes located in the area of influence of the existing stormwater passage, in accordance with the map provided by the Municipality of Curridabat, where the properties to be intervened are located, internal logistics were carried out to determine the resources and materials required to proceed with the intervention, which would consist of conducting dye tests in the sanitary services of the homes.
The dye test consists of coloring the water with sodium fluorescein, which is an orange solid that, when dissolved in water, takes on a greenish hue. This procedure constitutes the only one used by the Ministry of Health to determine the management and disposal of blackwater generated in the homes of the sector subject to intervention. Therefore, fluorescein was applied in the sanitary services of each home, a prudential period was granted, after which the test result was verified. The verification was performed at two points: one in the exposed channel on the west side of the sports field and another in a sewer located on the property of Mrs. Nombre5639. The verification was carried out by the officials of the Municipality of Curridabat designated to provide support to the process. The dates scheduled for conducting visits during the first sampling in the sector were November 2, 3, 6, 11, 16, 17, 25, 26, 2020; December 14, 15, 16, 17, 2020; and January 19, 20, 22, 2021.
The result of the actions executed on the scheduled dates is detailed below: Number of effective inspections (Total inspections carried out): 106 Number of ineffective inspections (Total inspections where entry to the homes could not be obtained): 33 Number of effective dye tests (Total dye tests carried out): 73 Number of dye tests with positive result (Total dye tests with verification of inadequate disposal): 47 Number of dye tests with negative result (Total dye tests with verification of adequate disposal): 26 According to the result obtained in the dye test performed, a technical report with the result was delivered on the spot. For positive cases, the respective sanitary order was delivered with a period of 90 business days for compliance. During the process of visits to the homes, the following limitations were encountered: o Access to homes (no one was found, only minors were present, entry was not permitted) o Devices in poor condition prevented water loading o Low amount of water in the home o The distance from the home to the verification point o The time it took to determine the result o Difficulty in following up on cases of improper wastewater discharge due to the Coronavirus pandemic, since in some cases entry into homes was scheduled, but there were people in isolation for being suspected or positive for COVID-19, so the follow-up of homes was postponed.
O The officials in charge of carrying out the dye tests also performed functions attending to the Coronavirus pandemic by notifying personal sanitary orders to positive and suspected COVID-19 cases, a situation that slowed down the wastewater follow-up process in the La Ponderosa sector. o Backlog in handling complaints of a nature different from the COVID-19 issue, which increased the volume of complaint handling in the period after the lifting of the state of emergency due to the Coronavirus pandemic. o There are only 2 inspector officials in the Health Process Regulation process for handling cases and complaints in the entire canton of Curridabat. Folios 00121 to 00331. For the execution of an inter-institutional intervention, actions were carried out and the following were determined as relevant findings: ▪ In a digital platform meeting between officials of the Municipality of Curridabat and the Health Directorate Area of Curridabat on February 2, 2021, it was determined that the participation of ICAA was required to confirm whether said institution would implement sanitary sewer coverage in said sector; otherwise, the municipal entity was asked to assess a parallel project for the treatment of wastewater in the sector.
Folios 00335 to 00341. ▪ In a digital platform meeting between officials of the Municipality of Curridabat, the Health Directorate Area of Curridabat, and ICAA on February 12, 2021, ICAA representatives indicated that at that time there was a lack of financing in that entity to execute urban sanitation projects, since the Environmental Improvement Project for the Metropolitan Area was expected to start in 2020 – 2021; however, due to lack of financing, the project was rescheduled to be completed in the year 2026 - 2027. In the event that ICAA did not have the financial possibility to carry out said environmental sanitation project in the sector, the municipal entity would request a written technical report from them so that, within its competencies and the pronouncement by ICAA, the municipal entity could present an environmental improvement project in the La Ponderosa Sector regarding the problem of adequate wastewater management.
Folios 00342 to 00343. ▪ That on February 24, 2021, via email, an update report was requested from Mr. Engineer Marco Fidel Vargas Quiroga, manager of the Executing Unit of the Environmental Improvement Project (ICAA), regarding the progress of the Environmental Improvement Project for the collection and treatment of wastewater corresponding to the district of Tirrases in Curridabat, specifically in the locality of La Ponderosa. At the close of this report, the information requested from ICAA has not been submitted. (Folio 00345). ▪ That on March 10, 2021, via official communication MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-634-2021, a response was provided to official communication MC-PMA-003-01-2021, in which the Municipality of Curridabat requests to be informed of the progress of the intervention carried out by this Ministry in the cited sector. Likewise, the Municipal Corporation was informed in the cited official communication, with the attached technical report MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-IT-0063-2021, of the verification of illegal wastewater connections to the stormwater drainage system, therefore, within the scope of its competencies, intervention was requested to eliminate the wastewater discharges into the stormwater sewer system.
Folios 00346 to 00351. ▪ That on April 13, 2021, official communication MC-DGV-0624-04-2021 was received, signed by Engineer Randall Rodríguez Araya, Director of Road Management of the Municipality of Curridabat, in which he communicated, among other things: “…the pipes that were indicated at the beginning were placed by the neighbors, they discharge directly into the La Ponderosa irrigation ditch (open channel) and according to report MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-IT-0063-2021, from the Ministry of Health, it is the pipe in which the fluorescein tests were carried out, but it is clarified that said pipes, passing below houses on private property, do not belong to the municipal stormwater system…”. Folios 00363 to 00367. ▪ On March 9, 2021, the mayor's office advisor of the Municipality of Curridabat sent a note requesting information to Mr. Marco Fidel Vargas, as a reminder of the information requested by said entity on February 18, 2021, about the sanitation project in the La Ponderosa sector.
Folios 00352 to 00355. ▪ That on September 7, 2021, an inter-institutional inspection was carried out by representatives of the Municipality of Curridabat, the Health Directorate Area of Curridabat, and ICAA in the La Ponderosa sector. As a result of said visit, ICAA generated a recommendations report on September 23, 2021, concluding that the comprehensive solution for this sanitary situation in the "La Ponderosa" sector is contained within the Environmental Improvement Project for the Metropolitan Area of San José (PMAAMSJ) currently being developed by the Executing Unit – Potable Water and Sanitation Program (PAPS). This project will build wastewater collection networks in the sector, encompassing the homes in question, and these must connect their wastewater to the networks, eliminating the illicit discharge into the body of water. The PMAAMSJ has designs and is seeking financing to develop the works.
This solution is medium-term; the tentative dates for attention are estimated for 2025, as derived from the report submitted by ICAA. From the same ICAA report cited in the previous point, it is indicated that any alternative solution would be temporary in nature since the PAPS project would simplify the attention to the sector by concentrating wastewater treatment at the Los Tajos WWTP. Any alternative solution would involve investments in time and money, the useful life of which would be short. Initiating an alternative solution project presents the following limitations: legal condition of the body of water, difficulties or delays in obtaining permits, environmental viability (viabilidad ambiental), acquisition of real estate, search for financing, and bidding processes, operating expenses that include items such as: personnel and safety equipment, WWTP operator, periodic analyses and operational reports, extraction and payment for sludge disposal, discharge fee, among others.
Among the recommendations of ICAA in the issued report, it is indicated that the municipal entity is suggested to promote a lower-cost work, such as a concrete channel for odor reduction as a palliative measure (sic). Folios 00515 to 00523. Inter-institutional coordination was carried out, obtaining realistic solutions on wastewater management from ICAA and the determination of the stormwater system branching in charge of the municipal entity. Once the first set of tests was verified, and the deadlines of the respective sanitary orders were notified and expired, re-inspection visits were scheduled to verify that the homes that improperly disposed of their wastewater corrected said situation, for which June 28, 29, and 30, and July 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 2021, were projected to carry out these verifications. The result of the actions executed on the scheduled dates is detailed below: Number of effective inspections: 73 Number of ineffective inspections: 26 Number of effective dye tests: 42 Number of dye tests with positive result: 23 Number of dye tests with negative result: 19 In the first sampling, 47 houses were detected from which blackwater was improperly disposed into the adjacent irrigation ditch, while in the second sampling, this number was reduced to 23, meaning approximately half (49%) of the notified homes managed to correct the treatment and disposal of blackwater.
During this second sampling, entry was achieved into homes that had not been possible to enter on the first attempt, so it was also possible to notify sanitary orders MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-OS-161-2021, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-OS-162-2021, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-OS-163-2021, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-OS-164-2021, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-OS-165-2021 AND MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-OS-171-2021. Folios 00395 to 00473. A third inspection period of the reported homes was carried out for the follow-up of the notified sanitary orders and to attempt to enter homes in which it had not been possible to perform the dye tests, on the dates of November 17, 2021, February 1, May 11, July 6 and 18, 2022. The result of the actions executed on the scheduled dates is detailed below: Number of effective inspections: 20 Number of ineffective inspections: 7 Number of effective dye tests: 4 Number of dye tests with positive result: 4 Number of dye tests with negative result: 0 The homes that continue to improperly dispose of their blackwater into the irrigation ditch are listed below with the municipal SIGCode and (FID) of said properties provided by the Municipality of Curridabat: Folios 00528 to 00563.
(…) Based on the information gathered, a final round of inspections in the sector was carried out to close out the dye tests and verify compliance with sanitary orders. During one of the field visits, it was verified that the Municipality of Curridabat was intervening in the irrigation ditch with the implementation of cyclone mesh; therefore, official communication MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-0568-2023 was sent to Mr. Randall Rodríguez Araya, Director of the Road Management Department of the Municipality of Curridabat, inquiring about the work carried out by the Municipality of Curridabat in the La Ponderosa sector on the stormwater irrigation ditch. On behalf of the Municipality of Curridabat, via official communication MC-DGV-0813-08-2023, Mr. Randall Rodríguez stated that, based on the La Ponderosa report PRE-2021-01132 resulting from the technical tour in September 2021, involving the Municipality, the Health Directorate Area, and the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (ICAA), the latter, in the recommendations section, mentioned the following: "Promote a lower-cost work, such as a reinforced concrete channel with an upper slab that reduces odor generation and with adequate dimensions to minimize, as much as possible, the overflow of the stream during peak rainfall." In the same report, AyA concluded that the comprehensive solution for this sanitary situation in the "La Ponderosa" sector is contained within the Environmental Improvement Project for the Metropolitan Area of San José (PMAAMSJ) currently being developed by the Executing Unit – Potable Water and Sanitation Program (PAPS).
It will build wastewater collection networks in the sector, encompassing the homes in question, and these must connect their wastewater to the networks, eliminating the illicit discharge into the body of water, for which they already have designs and are seeking financing for the execution of the works. Therefore, the Municipality of Curridabat proceeded to hire a company to execute the piping works, construction of manholes, and pipe protection. They placed 180m of pipe with a diameter of 1200mm in reinforced PVC, construction of support pipes to collect the waters coming from the surrounding houses, as well as the installation of drainage that will reduce the pore pressure that could cause the accumulation of runoff water against the enclosure walls, and the placement of half-round gutters to collect surface waters and, through double catch basins, enter the stormwater system. Folios 00622 to 00623.
A great majority of dye tests in the sector were verified in the stormwater channel; however, after the water channeling and stormwater ditch encapsulation works carried out by the company hired by the Municipality of Curridabat, it was not possible to verify a total of 2 homes, because it was not possible to track the dye under these new infrastructure conditions in the stormwater irrigation ditch. A fourth inspection period of the reported homes was carried out for the follow-up of the notified sanitary orders and to attempt to enter homes in which it had not been possible to perform the dye tests, on the dates of June 22 and 23, July 4, 25, and 26, August 7, 21, 22, and October 1, 2023.
Below, the results of the actions carried out on the scheduled dates are detailed: Number of inspections conducted: 51 Number of ineffective inspections: 26 Number of effective dye tests: 25 Number of dye tests with positive results: 12 Number of dye tests with negative results: 13 The dwellings that continue to inadequately dispose of their blackwater into the irrigation ditch are listed below with the municipal SIG Code and (FID) of said properties provided by the Municipality of Curridabat: Folios 00576 to 00621 and 00629 to 00633. (…) Following the final determination of the 13 dwellings from which non-compliance with national regulations due to inadequate blackwater disposal persists, the municipal entity was requested, via official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-0378-2024, to provide updated registered owners of the properties in order to proceed with the notification of sanitary uninhabitability orders.
(Folios 00636 to 0000637). Once the information was provided by the municipal entity, the scheduling and notification of the sanitary uninhabitability orders in the Ponderosa de Tirrases sector proceeded (…) In accordance with the actions carried out by the Rectorate Area, 54% of the cases have already been notified of the sanitary uninhabitability orders, meaning compliance with their mandate must be followed up on; 8% of the cases have already resolved the problem; and 38% of the cases have not yet been possible to notify. The reasons for the lack of notification are mainly due to the fact that several attempts have been made on various days at different times, both regular and extraordinary (these attempts are recorded in the notification records in the administrative case file of the complaint), for the purpose of completing the pending sanitary uninhabitability order notifications; however, the attempts have been unsuccessful due to the absence of the persons subject to notification.
This situation will continue to be scheduled by this Rectorate Area to achieve notification of all pending cases. Another situation that arose is that the notification of the sanitary uninhabitability order MS-DRRSCS-DARSCU-OS-045-2024 corresponds to a legal entity (Splastown Sociedad Anónima), which has delayed its notification, given that no person has been located at its location in La Ponderosa; therefore, its notification must be sent to the administrator of the sociedad anónima. The notified sanitary uninhabitability orders grant the owners and tenants a period of 60 business days to vacate the dwelling, due to non-compliance with previous sanitary orders requiring them to correct the problem of inadequate wastewater disposal without resolution as of the date of the follow-up process carried out by this organizational unit. Folios 00643 to 00727. As can be deduced from the foregoing, this Rectorate Area Directorate has intervened in the reported problem, within the scope of this Ministry's competence, by conducting dye tests with sodium fluorescein, determining which dwellings present inadequate blackwater disposal, providing the respective follow-up to the administrative processes through sanitary orders for the correction of sanitary irregularities, as well as notifications to those persons who reside in housing units with persistent inadequate blackwater disposal, considering them uninhabitable due to unsanitary conditions as established by the General Health Law in its articles 319, 320, and 321.
Likewise, an inter-institutional coordination process was carried out with the Municipality of Curridabat and the ICAA, seeking definitive solutions to the reported problem, discarding for such purposes the proposed "Modular Plant" or "Temporary Plant" solution due to the investment involved in acquiring land, conducting basic studies, obtaining permits, achieving environmental feasibility (viabilidad ambiental), designing and building a plant, as well as the works for discharging treated water into the Río Tiribí. Therefore, it was determined that the comprehensive solution for this sanitary situation in the "La Ponderosa" sector was contained in the San José Metropolitan Area Environmental Improvement Project (PMAAMSJ) currently being developed by the Executing Unit – Potable Water and Sanitation Program (PAPS). This project will build wastewater collection networks in the sector, encompassing the dwellings in question, and these must connect their wastewater to the networks.
Another aspect considered in the inter-institutional coordination was the ICAA's recommendation to encapsulate the stormwater ditch to reduce the problem of foul odors while they manage to complete and enable the sanitary sewer system and networks in the La Ponderosa and Tirrases sector. This action was carried out by the Municipal entity, as inferred from what was previously described. The complainant has been informed about the progress of the case each time an inquiry has been made or when they have appealed to the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional), informing them of the progress, limitations, and inconveniences encountered in resolving this problem. It must be clarified to the Constitutional Chamber that the sector subject to the complaint is very extensive and complicated, requiring multiple interventions, requests for accompaniment by the Municipal entity because the discharges occurred into a water body and the institutional equipment for that purpose was not available, rescheduling due to failed verification actions of the reported facts, as well as failed notifications of administrative acts due to the owners' absence, epidemiological situations such as the response to the COVID-19 health emergency, changes and limitations in the verification sites following the Municipal entity's intervention in the channel, as well as the human resource limitations of this organizational unit.
Despite this, the sector has been fully intervened, leaving only 6 sanitary uninhabitability orders for unsanitary conditions pending notification for the reasons previously cited and generated due to non-compliance with previously notified sanitary orders, coupled with the absence, to date, of the materialization of the San José Metropolitan Area Environmental Improvement Project (PMAAMSJ) by the ICAA. In light of the considerations made and in accordance with the progress reports that have been detailed by this Rectorate Area Directorate on the occasion of the intervention in the problems of potable water supply in the Dirección5711 area, landslide vulnerability zones in the Dirección7860 sector, and inadequate blackwater disposal in the Ponderosa sector, sites attached to Dirección7861 , it is clearly seen that this Health Authority has not failed to comply with what was ordered by this honorable Chamber, but rather has, with the limited human and technical resources available, taken steps to execute each and every one of the administrative actions permitted by the legal system to resolve, in the first instance, what was requested by this Constitutional Court.
However, the honorable judges must remember that, among other factors to consider, the extension granted through resolution No. 15951-2019 of this constitutional body at nine hours twenty minutes on July 16, 2021, was given, among many other aspects, due to the exponential increase in confirmed cases of people ill with SARSCoV n2, which caused the COVID-19 disease, obligating the country's health authorities to direct all their human, technical, and economic resources to address the national emergency, which was maintained until August 2022 when, through Executive Decree 43650-S of August 10 of that year, the state of emergency was ordered to cease. However, this honorable court must remember that the cessation of the state of emergency from an administrative point of view did not in any way imply that the exponential increase in cases of this disease ceased, or that there were no outbreaks of other infectious-contagious diseases transmitted by other viruses and vectors, such as Dengue, Malaria, and other associated ones.
Rather, along with the state of Cessation of the health emergency, all pending complaints awaiting inspection by this Health Rectorate Area were reactivated, as well as the innumerable number of control inspections that, as a result of the pandemic and administrative closure measures, were reactivated. This contributed to excessively overloading the work of the Health Rectorate Area, which only has two environmental managers (gestores ambientales) to deal with all administrative complaints, licensing of health establishments, inspection of compliance with sanitary operating permit conditions for commercial, industrial, and service establishments, as well as attending to all new mass gathering events that were suspended during the state of emergency. Even with all the tasks to be carried out, what was resolved by this Constitutional Chamber through rulings 12231-2019 and 15951-2019 was never left unattended.
Likewise, and as has been respectfully indicated to this Court, all inter-institutional commission coordination actions necessary to definitively resolve the water supply problem experienced by the residents of Miravalles in the Tirrases sector in Curridabat have been carried out, recalling that such prerogative corresponds by law to the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados by express provision of the Constitutive Law of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados. Furthermore, and as has been duly accredited in the record, coordinated and arduous work has been done at the three levels of institutional management for the purpose of carrying out the intervention of the Miravalles Settlement (Asentamiento Miravalles) to execute the eviction of sectors experiencing landslide risk, whose determination by the competent authorities in risk matters was duly confirmed until the second half of 2023.
Therefore, steps have been taken to manage the approval of extraordinary budgets to responsibly undertake the execution of the eviction affecting vulnerability, as well as the demolition of structures, the disposal of said debris, enclosure works, and defense of the public domain property to prevent new invasions. All these aspects involve enormous coordination among public administration bodies, which have acted from their formation in a coordinated manner and in respect of administrative procedures for the purpose of complying with what was resolved by this honorable chamber. Therefore, I respectfully request your honorable authority to declare the management of disobedience to what was ordered in Resolution No. 2019012231 without merit, because at all times this Health Rectorate Area, particularly and jointly with the other respondent institutions, has joined efforts and carried out actions to comply with what was ordered.
What the Chamber must take into account is that the first two problems are highly complex and have been tolerated by authorities from previous years; therefore, providing a solution to a problem rooted and entrenched in the community represents a degree of difficulty given that multiple factors intervene, the principal one being social. As for the blackwater problems in the Ponderosa sector, it was fully intervened, and as concluded from the foregoing, all actions within this Ministry's reach were carried out to resolve the reported problem." 5.- By document incorporated into the digital file on June 19, 2024, Ángela Mata Montero appears, in her capacity as minister of the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (MIVAH). She states: "2.- Participation of the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements in the Inter-Institutional Commission to resolve the problems of the Miravalles I urban project and the Miravalles II Human Settlement: The Director of Housing and Human Settlements, Mrs.
Mariela Sanabria Arrieta, through official letter MIVAH-DVMVAH-DVAH-0158-2024, informed this Ministerial Office of the actions that have been managed by MIVAH within the framework of the Inter-Institutional Commission coordinated by the Municipality of Curridabat, regarding the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I community and the social problem occurring in the human settlement called Miravalles II, located in Tirrases, Curridabat. Background and Objective: In 2019, the Inter-Institutional Commission coordinated by the Municipality of Curridabat was reactivated with the purpose of addressing issues related to access to potable water and addressing the risk in said settlement in response to Constitutional Chamber ruling No. 2019-012231. The Commission is constituted with the technical participation of the Municipality of Curridabat, the Ministry of Health, the Joint Institute for Social Assistance (Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social), the Ombudsman's Office (Defensoría de los Habitantes), and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados.
The Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (MIVAH) joined this Commission with the objective of accompanying a response process that transcends water access and constitutes a more comprehensive approach to urban renewal aimed at improving the conditions of the people living in the Miravalles I urban project and the Miravalles II settlement. Role of the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (MIVAH): MIVAH has played a supporting role (acompañamiento) for the Municipality of Curridabat in coordinating the Inter-institutional Commission. It has coordinated technical and political actions for the incorporation of different actors at the table, as well as becoming the venue for holding technical meetings, facilitating dialogue among the institutions involved. In this support process, it has guided the local government through comprehensive urban renewal suggestions and alternatives offered by the National Financial System for Housing, in order to improve the living conditions of the families living in the Miravalles I urban project and the Miravalles II settlement.
Relevant Actions: In November 2022, MIVAH suggested to the Inter-institutional Board (Mesa Interinstitucional) strategic aspects for effective articulation; it was proposed to establish a communication strategy and clear communication channels towards the different actors, as well as to build a roadmap to define the roles of each institution that is part of the process. Likewise, guidance was provided to the Municipality of Curridabat on options through which families could have access to housing through public resources, such as the generation of housing projects, individual subsidies, and management of Urban, Inclusive, and Sustainable Housing Projects (VUIS), for the local government to assess the search for possible land at the cantonal level, as well as options for the families. In January 2023, a possible route based on the New Urban Agenda was presented before the Board, called "Protocol for Addressing Informal Settlements," which seeks to generate territory reconfiguration projects.
This route presents intervention categories: resettlement (risk zones), urban renewal (reconfiguration), formalization (titling), according to the results of prior territorial diagnoses developed by the Municipality. These have been proposals made by MIVAH for the corresponding assessment by the different institutions that make up the Inter-institutional Commission, thus serving as an orienting basis for developing a possible comprehensive urban operation in the Miravalles I urban project and the Miravalles II settlement. In February 2023, MIVAH supported the Municipality of Curridabat with technical personnel for the development of a preliminary census of the population of the Miravalles II Settlement, with the objective of identifying the resident families for a subsequent official census by IMAS. During the process, support was provided to the Municipality in creating a roadmap proposal and a concept note.
These documents outlined the specific actions that each institution must carry out according to its role and competencies, following an established schedule provided by each of them. The main objective is to support the articulation of actions related to urban renewal and the relocation of families located in risk zones. Commitment: MIVAH will continue collaborating with the Municipality of Curridabat in coordinating the Inter-institutional Technical Commission as long as necessary to implement urban renewal actions in the Miravalles I urban project and for the relocation of families in risk zones of the Miravalles II Settlement, with the proposed protocol for addressing informal settlements based on the New Urban Agenda serving as a guide to support inter-institutionality in developing a comprehensive urban operation that responds to the particularities of the place, guarantees adequate living conditions for the population, and therefore ensures better public investment. 3.- Conclusions: By virtue of what has been set forth, it can be concluded, without a doubt, that: i.- This Ministry has not violated the constitutional rights or guarantees of the complainants, since, in respect of the principle of legality, this Ministry has acted in accordance with the competencies attributed to it by the legal system. ii.- The role of this Ministry, in light of the amparo appeal filed and the subsequent notifications from the Constitutional Chamber—without being a respondent institution in this process—has been oriented towards ensuring inter-institutional coordination among those involved and directly responsible, in search of a comprehensive, adequate, and prompt solution to the problems experienced by the Miravalles I urban project and the Miravalles II human settlement. 4.- Petition: I request that the information provided be attached to File No. 19-003040-0007-CO and that the institutional actions and technical contribution of the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements in the Inter-Institutional Commission coordinated by the Municipality of Curridabat be recognized as accredited, with the purpose of comprehensively addressing issues related to access to potable water, risk management, and the social problem in the Miravalles I urban project and the Miravalles II human settlement, in response to what was ordered to the respondents in Constitutional Chamber ruling No. 2019-012231."
There is currently a conceptual note that establishes the operating framework for the Miravalles Interinstitutional Commission (Comisión Interinstitucional de Miravalles), a proposal jointly developed by this local government with the MIVAH, in order to begin from a baseline that frames the way said commission operates, as well as the approach to the settlement (asentamiento) that is proposed and thereby ensure the short- and medium-term sustainability of the project. In addition to the above, a matrix is being prepared containing the Interinstitutional Route Map (Ruta Interinstitucional) for the Miravalles project, which is fed by the action plan of each institution, with the understanding that, to date, it is awaiting the adjustment by AyA of what was presented by them in November 2023, as well as the Curridabat Health Governing Body (Área Rectora de Salud) providing an estimate of the respective budget content.
IMAS and this local government depend on these two prior actions to adjust their respective action plans. All the actions described above demonstrate that the Municipality of Curridabat is committed to executing a project with a significant and positive impact on the Miravalles community in general, always starting from the socio-cultural component, without neglecting coordination in the materialization of other actions that can be carried out jointly with the rest of the institutions involved. 2. COROLLARY As has been well indicated by this representation in the brief of May 11, 2024, and in order not to be redundant with the arguments before the honorable magistrates, we wish to emphasize that the most efficient solution for the problem in Miravalles is held by AYA with its sanitation project for the Gran Área Metropolitana. The municipality cannot undertake to build a parallel project of great magnitude because it has the duty to ensure the most efficient execution of public resources, and that, in any case, to develop such a project, by Law, it must coordinate with AYA, which would bring us back to the same starting point with the project.
This municipality brings to the attention of the honorable Chamber each and every one of the actions it has taken in favor of advancing the project planned by AYA, for which it has been a leader in the respective efforts and interinstitutional coordination, doing everything within its power to solve the problem afflicting the residents of Miravalles. Therefore, the allegation by the plaintiff that there is a lack of will on the part of the administration is untrue; that is absolutely false. For all the foregoing, we request that the action filed by the petitioner be declared without merit, since it cannot be attributed to this representation that the solution has not arrived due to municipal inaction, far from it; on the contrary, everything humanly and administratively possible has been done in this matter, but said complex solution necessarily requires the action of other institutions, which is beyond our reach.
(…) 4. PRAYER FOR RELIEF Based on the foregoing, we respectfully request the honorable Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional), that since the actions and acts issued by this Municipal Corporation within the framework of its powers are in accordance with the law, we request that this non-compliance action be declared without merit in all its aspects. Consequently, this proceeding be terminated without special condemnation for costs and/or damages and losses in accordance with the legal order, proceeding to the corresponding archiving”.
and judicial technician 3, both of the Constitutional Chamber, it was indicated that “it did not appear that from the Dirección5715 , the director of the Curridabat Health Area had submitted any writing or document whatsoever, in order to render the report requested in the resolution issued at nine hours thirty-six minutes on June fourteen, two thousand twenty-four.”
Drafted by Magistrate Rueda Leal; and,
Considering:
In judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, it was ordered, in what is relevant, the following:
“Therefore: The appeal is granted. Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta, and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order President of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, Mayoress of Curridabat, Executive President of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to, within the non-extendable term of 3 days, issue the respective orders within the framework of their competence, so that the Interinstitutional Commission formed by the Defensoría de los Habitantes for addressing the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban development project is reactivated, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed that definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months from the notification of this judgment. Likewise, Alicia Borja Rodríguez and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order Mayoress of Curridabat and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to immediately coordinate and adopt the necessary measures and execute the respective evictions of those families located in the risk zones confirmed since 2009 and who currently maintain their physical integrity at risk; and to, within the period of 6 months, coordinate and resolve the matter concerning the complaint filed by the appellant on May 28, 2018, regarding the problem of blackwater, and notify him of the resolution.
The foregoing under warning that, based on the provisions of Article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, will be imposed on whoever receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo appeal and does not comply with it or does not enforce it, provided that the crime is not more severely punished. The Municipalidad de Curridabat, the State, and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados are condemned to the payment of costs, damages, and losses caused by the acts that serve as the basis for this declaration, which will be liquidated in the execution of the judgment of the administrative contentious jurisdiction. Notify this resolution personally to Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta, and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order President of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, Mayoress of Curridabat, Executive President of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, or whoever holds those positions; as well as to the Executive President of IMAS, the Minister of Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos, and the Defensora de los Habitantes.
Magistrate Salazar Alvarado notes his position, regarding the blackwater issue.” Said judgment was notified on July 9, 2019, to the Executive President of IMAS, on July 10, 2019, to the Minister of Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos, on July 11, 2019, to the mayoress of Curridabat, the director of the Curridabat Health Area, and the Defensora de los Habitantes, on July 16, 2019, to the president of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, and on July 19, 2019, to the Executive President of the ICAA.
“III.- Regarding the non-compliance proceeding. In the present case, from a full reading of the subsequent proceeding, it is evident that the protected party accuses disobedience of what was ordered in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, solely regarding the following: ‘(…) Alicia Borja Rodríguez and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order Mayoress of Curridabat and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to (…) within the period of 6 months, coordinate and resolve the matter concerning the complaint filed by the appellant on May 28, 2018, regarding the problem of blackwater, and notify him of the resolution.’ In that sense, the protected party claims that Alicia Borja Rodríguez and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order Mayoress of Curridabat and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, were ordered to, within the period of 6 months, coordinate and resolve the matter concerning the complaint filed by the appellant on May 28, 2018, regarding the problem of blackwater, and notify him of the resolution; additionally, he explains that such complaint was made due to a series of threats to the population, since there is a blackwater stream at the gutter level at Dirección1319 in Tirrases; however, as of the date of filing this proceeding, he has no evidence that the Health Area has issued any sanitary order, nor that the respondent authorities have addressed the problem stated, for which reason he accuses partial non-compliance with the main judgment of the proceeding, given that the six-month period to solve the area's blackwater problem has already elapsed. He requests that the judgment be executed regarding the partial non-compliance and asks that the technical justifications issued by the respondent authorities not be accepted.
In this regard, the Mayor of Curridabat indicated that, regarding the complaint filed by the amparo beneficiary on May 28, 2018, concerning the blackwater issue, the following actions were carried out: ‘• Information required to begin identifying the problem was managed and shared, among which is a topographic survey, registry information and site delimitation, as well as a map of the area of interest with the stormwater pipes (lines) inventoried in the Dirección de Gestión Vial for that sector that discharge towards the water body under analysis, nodes corresponding to manholes, inspection boxes, or other types of elements connecting pipe sections, water bodies, and properties. • The initial inspections to detect contamination problems and the accompaniment of the Municipalidad de Curridabat to the Ministerio de Salud occurred between November and December 2019 on four different dates with an average of four dye tests performed per date, between homes and businesses.
In relation to this last item developed, it is important to consider that the Municipality requires the intervention of the Ministerio de Salud to carry out the verifications regarding which property or site the improper connection comes from and proceed with the notification. Likewise, and according to information from this Ministry, more field work is still required; however, it has not been possible to carry it out in 2020. At the beginning of this year, official note MC-PMA 0104-01-2020 was submitted to the Ministry (sic) of Health, referring to a strategy for addressing diffuse contamination in watercourses in the canton of Curridabat, with special emphasis on resolution no. 2019012231 of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, for which meeting dates were proposed to discuss the topics and progress on the case, but these dates had to be canceled by the Ministry of Health, since its priority (sic) at this time is to address urgencies regarding public service and consequent availability of human resources, in compliance with Executive Decree No. 42221-S and Ministerial guidelines in response to the health alert for COVID-19, therefore, they informed this municipal corporation that it was not possible to attend the convened meetings, since the resources of that organizational unit are focused on attending to the health alert.
The mentioned dye tests require entry to private property and the application of the fluorescein reagent in the systems suspected of being connected to the stormwater system, this therefore requires an interaction between municipal officials, health personnel, residents of the dwelling, and owners or collaborators of the visited business. The above (sic) in order to correct infractions and alterations to natural resources; however, it is important to mention that we comply with the directives issued by the Governing Body of Health, regarding the necessary sanitary measures to reduce contagions and protect both officials, their families, and the community.’ On the other hand, regarding the 6-month period granted to address the blackwater problem, the Acting Director of the Curridabat Health Area indicated that ‘coordination was carried out with the Municipalidad de Curridabat, in order for it to provide support to this Health Area with the cartographic and registry resources it has, so that it could provide a survey of the area of influence of the reported blackwater problem.
(…) A sketch was provided with the location of the properties to be intervened, with the information of the Nombre62 of the owner, establishing a quantity of 62 properties. With this information and with the human and material resources available in this Health Area, a schedule was established for deployment to the area, in order to carry out the respective dye tests in each identified dwelling, with the aim of determining the management and disposal of the blackwater. The dye testing process began in November 2019; this process is slow, given that said test can only be performed on one dwelling at a time, the result must be waited for and verified at points of difficult access. The dye testing process has progressed by approximately 32%, given that due to the national emergency declared by Executive Decree No 42227-MP-S, “Declares a state of national emergency throughout the territory of the Republic of Costa Rica, due to the health emergency situation caused by the COVID-19 disease”, it has been necessary to prioritize attention to this emergency.’ Now, although the authorities set forth various actions carried out in order to solve the blackwater problem alleged by the appellant and, additionally, justified that due to the COVID-19 pandemic they have not been able to fully comply with what was ordered by the Chamber, it is no less true that the six-month period granted expired in January 2020, that is, before the issuance of decree No. 42227-MP-S “Declares a state of national emergency throughout the territory of the Republic of Costa Rica, due to the health emergency situation caused by the COVID-19 disease” of March 16, 2020, by the Executive Branch.
In addition, such authorities did not formulate a request for an extension within the granted period, nor any compliance schedule, and, in any case, it is not evident from the evidence that the appellant was notified.
In merit of the foregoing, this Court finds accredited the non-compliance with what was ordered in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, solely with respect to the Mayor of Curridabat and the Director of the Curridabat Health Area, in the terms set forth above. However, as the persons currently holding the positions of Mayor of Curridabat and Director of the Curridabat Health Area are not the same ones to whom judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, was notified, the appropriate course is to order compliance with what was ordered therein to the current representatives, as will be ordered in the operative part of this resolution. (…)
Therefore: The non-compliance proceeding is granted. Jimmy Cruz Jiménez and Melissa Arguedas Arce, by their order Mayor of Curridabat and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds such positions, are ordered to comply with what was ordered in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, in relation to the requirement that ‘within the period of 6 months, coordinate and resolve the matter concerning the complaint filed by the appellant on May 28, 2018, regarding the problem of blackwater, and notify him of the resolution.’ The respondents are warned that, in accordance with Article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, will be imposed on whoever receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo appeal, and does not comply with it or does not enforce it, provided that the crime is not more severely punished. The joinder filed is declared inadmissible. Notify this resolution to Jimmy Cruz Jiménez and Melissa Arguedas Arce, by their order Mayor of Curridabat and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds such positions, personally.” This pronouncement was notified to the respondent authorities on October 26, 2020.
“Therefore: The non-compliance proceeding is partially granted, only in relation to what was ordered in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, corresponding to the requirement that ‘within the period of 6 months, coordinate and resolve the matter concerning the complaint filed by the appellant on May 28, 2018, regarding the problem of blackwater, and notify him of the resolution.’ Jimmy Cruz Jiménez and Melissa Arguedas Arce, by their order mayor of Curridabat and acting director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds such positions, are ordered to comply with what was ordered in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, in relation to the requirement that ‘within the period of 6 months, coordinate and resolve the matter concerning the complaint filed by the appellant on May 28, 2018, regarding the problem of blackwater, and notify him of the resolution.’ The foregoing under warning of ordering the certification of documents to the Public Prosecutor's Office against the mayor of Curridabat and the opening of an administrative proceeding against the acting director of the Curridabat Health Area if they do not do so.
On the other hand, the period granted in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, is extended, only regarding ‘addressing the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban development project, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed that definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months’ and consequently, Tomás Martínez Baldares, Jimmy Cruz Jiménez, Óscar Mora Altamirano, and Johanna Chavarría Víquez, by their order, executive president of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, mayor of Curridabat, president of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, and acting director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, are granted a period until May 8, 2024, solely to solve the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban development project, in accordance with the terms ordered in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019.
In all other respects, the formulated proceedings are dismissed. Notify this resolution to Jimmy Cruz Jiménez and Melissa Arguedas Arce, by their order mayor of Curridabat and acting director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds such positions, personally.”
“Regarding the non-compliance proceeding. In the present case, from an integral reading of the appellant's brief, it is evident that what was filed is a disobedience to what was ordered in judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, specifically regarding the problem of water supply for the Miravalles I urban development project, since he maintains that from the information he has requested from the respondents, it is apparent that they have not taken any action to resolve that situation.
In this regard, note that in the above-cited interlocutory resolution no. 2021015951 of 9:20 hours on July 16, 2021, it was resolved: ‘. On the other hand, the period granted in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, is extended, only regarding “addressing the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban development project, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed that definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months” and consequently, Tomás Martínez Baldares, Jimmy Cruz Jiménez, Óscar Mora Altamirano, and Johanna Chavarría Víquez, by their order, executive president of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, mayor of Curridabat, president of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, and acting director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, are granted a period until May 8, 2024, solely to solve the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban development project, in accordance with the terms ordered in judgment No. 2019-012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019.’ That is to say, note that the period to solve the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban development project does not expire until May 8, 2024, so it is premature to refer at this time to any disobedience in relation to that point.
Ergo, the formulated proceeding is dismissed.”
“V.- REGARDING THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME. In the sub iudice, Juan Manuel Quesada Espinoza, Errol Solano Bolaños, and Melissa Arguedas Arce, by their order, executive president of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, mayor of Curridabat, and acting director of the Curridabat Health Area of the Ministerio de Salud, request before this Court the extension of the time to comply with what was ordered in judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, so that it is provided until the first half of 2027.
First, in the judgment in question, the Chamber ordered: “The appeal is granted. Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta, and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order President of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, Mayoress of Curridabat, Executive President of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to, within the non-extendable term of 3 days, issue the respective orders within the framework of their competence, so that the Interinstitutional Commission formed by the Defensoría de los Habitantes for addressing the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban development project is reactivated, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed that definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months from the notification of this judgment.
Likewise, Alicia Borja Rodríguez and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order Mayoress of Curridabat and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to immediately coordinate and adopt the necessary measures and execute the respective evictions of those families located in the risk zones confirmed since 2009 and who currently maintain their physical integrity at risk; and to, within the period of 6 months, coordinate and resolve the matter concerning the complaint filed by the appellant on May 28, 2018, regarding the problem of blackwater, and notify him of the resolution. The foregoing under warning that, based on the provisions of Article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, will be imposed on whoever receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo appeal and does not comply with it or does not enforce it, provided that the crime is not more severely punished.
The Municipalidad de Curridabat, the State, and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados are condemned to the payment of costs, damages, and losses caused by the acts that serve as the basis for this declaration, which will be liquidated in the execution of the judgment of the administrative contentious jurisdiction. Notify this resolution personally to Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta, and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order President of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, Mayoress of Curridabat, Executive President of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, or whoever holds those positions; as well as to the Executive President of IMAS, the Minister of Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos, and the Defensora de los Habitantes. Magistrate Salazar Alvarado notes his position, regarding the blackwater issue.” Furthermore, it should be recalled that in interlocutory resolution no. 2021015951 of 9:20 hours on July 16, 2021, the time granted for compliance with the order related to the water shortage problem in the community of Miravalle I was extended until May 8, 2024.
Once the foregoing has been clarified, several actions developed by the respondent authorities to comply with what was ordered by this Tribunal are evident from the case file, among them, field trips, topographic studies, the development of designs, as well as meetings of the Technical Roundtable and the Political Roundtable, and efforts by the interinstitutional commission set up to address the aforementioned problem have been carried out. Likewise, actions are observed to address matters concerning the eviction of families located in risk zones, which include efforts for the donation of land, the taking of a census to determine the number of inhabitants and dwellings, a cartographic inventory, as well as contract 2021LA-000009-0023100001 “Final Report Engineering Services for comprehensive and complete design (plans, budget) of risk management works in the Canton of Curridabat Line No. 21 2: Slope Stability Miravalles II - Slope stability analysis with geotechnical studies in identified high-risk zones, which constitutes a geotechnical slope stability study of the Miravalles sector”.
Likewise, it is verified that on March 4, 2024, the case of the Miravalles II Informal Settlement was presented to the Comisión de Atención Integral de Desalojos; however, it was not taken up by said commission and, therefore, it was decided by the Ministerio de Salud to formulate an ordinary eviction process. In addition to the foregoing, of importance for the resolution of this matter is that the project “Improvements to the Miravalles 1 Aqueduct System, San José” was integrated into the “Linda Vista-Miravalles” project, which in turn is part of the project “Potable Water in Peri-Urban Areas of the AMSJ - Linda Vista de Río Azul in Desamparados San José”, which aims to improve coverage and optimal provision of potable water service in selected peri-urban areas in the metropolitan area of San José. In this regard, the executive president of the Icaa explains that such decision “is justified by the principles of public efficacy and efficiency, since the existence of the development of a macro project that will benefit other nearby sectors of the GAM Aqueduct was verified, so it is pertinent to unify all projects that serve the same purpose to maximize available resources and avoid duplication and increase of procedures, costs, and time.
It is also justified by the financing benefits of the project “Potable Water in Peri-Urban Areas of the AMSJ - Linda Vista de Río Azul in Desamparados San José,” which is registered with code “BPIP 001941” before the Banco de Proyectos de Inversión Pública (BPIP) of the Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN), which would not have been achieved individually for the “Improvements to the Miravalles 1 Aqueduct System, San José” project. Therefore, the registration of the project allows continuing with the development of the stages in parallel until its final implementation.” Now, although it is observed that actions aimed at solving the problem in question have been executed, it is no less true that the respondent authorities seek an extension of the time for compliance with what was ordered by this Tribunal until the first half of 2027, which would imply a concession of more than three years and six months in addition to the time indicated in the main judgment of this matter, which was 24 months and was subsequently extended for another 24 months in relation to the water shortage problem, all of which is disproportionate.
In addition to the foregoing, even though a schedule was attached by the Icaa, it is no less true that its executive president acknowledged that the approval (visado) of the project is barely being processed by the Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación and that “Once the corresponding approval and registration of the plans are obtained, an additional period of six (6) months is contemplated to carry out the administrative appraisal and process before the Board of Directors of AYA the issuance of the agreement declaring ‘public interest’ to acquire the lands and carry out the expropriation process before the INVU, as long as the latter accepts the administrative appraisal, because otherwise it would be necessary to resort to the judicial route to define the fair price in a period that could take more than twelve (12) months for the obtaining, possession, and use of the lands” (emphasis added).
In the same vein, the acting director of the Curridabat Health Area stated: “Regarding the schedule of actions to be carried out by this Ministry in the intervention of the vulnerability sector due to risk and according to the cited components, an approximate compliance period is estimated for the first half of 2027, starting from the notification process of the sanitary orders, as long as it does not become judicialized, because in such case it will depend on the procedural momentum of the parties and the appeals that may be filed by the possible affected parties.” In sum, the respondent authorities themselves acknowledge that the proposed schedules for compliance with what was ordered by this Tribunal in judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, are not definitive, but are subject to variations that further extend the expected period for their completion, which is currently anticipated for the first half of 2027, all of which becomes disproportionate, especially considering that the first judgment of this process was handed down almost five years ago.
Based on the foregoing, the filed proceeding is dismissed (…)
Therefore: The formulated proceeding is dismissed.”
In the sub iudice, by means of a brief incorporated into the digital file on June 11, 2024, the appellant Nombre5628 files a disobedience proceeding in relation to judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 hours on July 5, 2019, specifically regarding this order:
“Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta, and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, by their order President of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, Mayoress of Curridabat, Executive President of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, and Director of the Curridabat Health Area, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to, within the non-extendable term of 3 days, issue the respective orders within the framework of their competence, so that the Interinstitutional Commission formed by the Defensoría de los Habitantes for addressing the water shortage problem in the Miravalles I urban development project is reactivated, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed that definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months from the notification of this judgment.” In this regard, he maintains that the period granted by this Tribunal for compliance with the order ended on May 8, 2024, but the respondent authorities themselves acknowledge that the problem has not been solved and do not detail the concrete actions to be developed to address it.
On this matter, it is worth recalling that in judgment no.
2019012231 of 9:30 a.m. on July 5, 2019, this Court ordered:
"It is ordered to Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta, and Manuel Rosales Caamaño, in their respective capacities as President of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, Mayor of Curridabat, Executive President of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, and Director of the Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, or to whomever occupies those positions, that within the non-extendable period of 3 days, they issue the respective orders within the framework of their competence, so that the Interinstitutional Commission formed by the Defensoría de los Habitantes for addressing the problem of water shortage in the urban development project (proyecto urbanístico) Miravalles I is reactivated, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed to definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months from the notification of this judgment." Subsequently, in interlocutory ruling no. 2021015951 of 9:20 a.m. on July 16, 2021, this Chamber ordered:
"Furthermore, the period granted in judgment no. 2019-012231 of 9:30 a.m. on July 5, 2019, is extended, only with regard to 'addressing the problem of water shortage in the urban development project (proyecto urbanístico) Miravalles I, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed to definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months' and consequently, Tomás Martínez Baldares, Jimmy Cruz Jiménez, Óscar Mora Altamirano, and Johanna Chavarría Víquez, in their respective capacities as executive president of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, mayor of Curridabat, president of the Municipal Council of Curridabat, and acting director (directora a.i.) of the Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, or whomever exercises those positions, are granted a period until May 8, 2024, solely to solve the problem of water shortage in the urban development project (proyecto urbanístico) Miravalles I, in accordance with the terms ordered in judgment no. 2019-012231 of 9:30 a.m. on July 5, 2019." Finally, this Chamber issued interlocutory ruling no. 2024012463 of 9:20 a.m. on May 10, 2024, by which a request for an extension of time filed by the respondent authorities was resolved as follows:
"Having clarified the foregoing, the case file reveals several actions undertaken by the respondent authorities to comply with what was ordered by this Court, among them, field visits, topographic studies, the preparation of designs, as well as meetings of the Technical Roundtable (Mesa Técnica) and the Political Roundtable (Mesa Política), and efforts by the interinstitutional commission set up to address the aforementioned problem. Likewise, actions are observed to address matters pertaining to the eviction of families located in risk zones, which include efforts for the donation of land, the undertaking of a census to determine the number of inhabitants and dwellings, a cartographic inventory, as well as procurement 2021LA-000009-0023100001 'Final Report Engineering services for integral and complete design (plans, budget) of risk management works in the Canton of Curridabat Line No. 21 2: Slope Stability Miravalles II - Slope stability analysis with geotechnical studies in identified high-risk zones, which constitutes a geotechnical slope stability study of the Miravalles sector'.
Furthermore, it is verified that on March 4, 2024, the case of the Miravalles II Informal Settlement was presented to the Comisión de Atención Integral de Desalojos; however, this was not taken on by said commission and, therefore, it was determined by the Ministerio de Salud to formulate an ordinary eviction process. In addition to the above, of importance for the resolution of this matter is that the project 'Improvements to the Miravalles 1 Aqueduct System, San José' was integrated into the 'Linda Vista-Miravalles' project, which in turn is part of the 'Drinking Water in Peri-Urban Zones of the AMSJ - Linda Vista de Río Azul in Desamparados San José' project, whose objective is to improve coverage and optimal provision of drinking water service in selected peri-urban zones in the metropolitan area of San José. In this regard, the executive president of the ICAA explains that such decision 'is justified on the principles of public efficiency and effectiveness, since the existence of a macro-project development that will benefit other neighboring sectors of the GAM Aqueduct was verified, making it pertinent to unify all projects that serve the same purpose to maximize available resources and avoid duplication and an increase in procedures, costs, and time.
It is also justified by the financing benefits of the project "Drinking Water in Peri-Urban Zones of the AMSJ - Linda Vista de Río Azul in Desamparados San José" which is registered with code "BPIP 001941" before the Banco de Proyectos de Inversión Pública (BPIP) of the Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN), without the foregoing having been achieved individually for the project "Improvements to the Miravalles 1 Aqueduct System, San José". Therefore, the project's registration allows for the continued development of the stages in parallel until its final implementation'. Now, while it is observed that actions have been executed aimed at resolving the problem at hand, it is no less true that the respondent authorities seek an extension of the deadline for compliance with what was ordered by this Court until the first half of 2027, which would imply a concession of more than three years and six months in addition to the period indicated in the main judgment of this matter, which was 24 months and was subsequently extended by a further 24 months in relation to the water shortage problem, all of which is disproportionate.
Added to the above, even though a schedule was attached by the ICAA, it is no less true that its executive president acknowledged that the endorsement (visado) of the project is merely being processed by the Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación and that 'Once the corresponding endorsement (visado) and registration of the plans are available, an additional period of six (6) months is contemplated to carry out the administrative appraisal and to process before the AYA Board of Directors the issuance of the agreement declaring "public interest" to acquire the land and carry out the expropriation process before the INVU, provided that the latter accepts the administrative appraisal, because otherwise it would be necessary to resort to the judicial route to define the fair price in a period that could contemplate more than twelve (12) months for the obtaining, placing in possession, and use of the land' (…).
In the same vein, the acting director (directora a. i.) of the Área de Salud de Curridabat stated 'Regarding the schedule of actions to be carried out by this Ministry in the intervention of the risk vulnerability sector and according to the mentioned components, an approximate compliance deadline of the first half of 2027 is estimated, starting from the notification process of the sanitary orders, provided that the same does not become judicialized, since in such a case it will depend on the procedural impetus of the parties and the appeals that may be filed by the potential affected parties'. In summary, the respondent authorities themselves acknowledge that the proposed schedules for compliance with what was ordered by this Court in judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 a.m. on July 5, 2019, are not definitive, but are subject to variations that would further prolong the deadline foreseen for its completion, which is currently anticipated for the first half of 2027, all of which becomes disproportionate, especially considering that the first judgment in this proceeding was issued almost five years ago." Having said that, as indicated in judgment no. 2024012463 of 9:20 a.m. on May 10, 2024, even though the case file reveals various actions by the respondent authorities to address the problem of water shortage in the urban development project (proyecto urbanístico) Miravalles I, it is no less true that the respondents themselves acknowledge that it has not been resolved, despite the fact that the extended deadline for compliance with what was ordered expired on May 8, 2024.
In other words, a lack of efficient and expeditious action on the part of the respondent authorities aimed at resolving the aforementioned problem is evident. In this regard, although some efforts to address it are observed, it is no less true that the schedule contained in the case file foresees its definitive solution until at least the first quarter of 2027, namely, in more than three years. Regarding this, the respondent authorities allege the need for interinstitutional coordination and the complexity of the solution as arguments to justify the delay in addressing the problem in question; however, even though this Chamber is aware of such complexity, which is reflected in the extension of time already granted to address the water shortage problem in question, it is no less true that approximately five years have already elapsed since the main judgment in this proceeding was issued without a definitive solution having been provided, which violates the fundamental rights of the people to be served through the urban development project (proyecto urbanístico) Miravalles I.
Based on the foregoing, the claim of non-compliance (gestión de desobediencia) is upheld in relation to judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 a.m. on July 5, 2019, specifically regarding 'addressing the problem of water shortage in the urban development project (proyecto urbanístico) Miravalles I, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed to definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months'. However, as the persons currently exercising the positions of mayor and president of the Council, both of the Municipalidad Curridabat, as well as executive president of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado and director of the Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat differ from those notified of the aforementioned judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 a.m. on July 5, 2019, it is appropriate to order compliance with what was ordered therein to those currently exercising those positions, as reported by the respondent party in the sub iudice.
The parties are warned that, if any paper document has been provided, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic device, or one produced by new technologies, these must be withdrawn from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all material not withdrawn within this period will be destroyed, pursuant to the provisions of the "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", approved by the Corte Plena in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, article XXVI and published in Boletín Judicial number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as in the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, article LXXXI.
Therefore (Por tanto):
The claim of non-compliance (gestión de desobediencia) filed is upheld. Errol Solano Bolaños and Luis Monge Díaz, in their respective capacities as mayor and president of the Council, both of the Municipalidad de Curridabat, as well as Juan Manuel Quesada Espinoza and Melissa Arguedas Arce, in their respective capacities as executive president of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado and acting director (directora a. i.) of the Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat of the Ministerio de Salud, or whomever occupies those positions in their stead, are ordered to comply with the provisions of judgment no. 2019012231 of 9:30 a.m. on July 5, 2019, regarding 'addressing the problem of water shortage in the urban development project (proyecto urbanístico) Miravalles I, so that in a coordinated manner the necessary actions are executed to definitively resolve said problem, within a maximum period of 24 months'.
The respondents are warned that, in accordance with article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, will be imposed on whoever receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo appeal, and does not comply with it or does not enforce it, provided that the offense is not more severely punished. Let this resolution be notified personally to Errol Solano Bolaños and Luis Monge Díaz, in their respective capacities as mayor and president of the Council, both of the Municipalidad de Curridabat, as well as to Juan Manuel Quesada Espinoza and Melissa Arguedas Arce, in their respective capacities as executive president of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado and acting director (directora a. i.) of the Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat of the Ministerio de Salud, or to whomever occupies those positions in their stead.
\t Fernando Castillo V.
\t Paul Rueda L.
\t \t Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
\t \t Alejandro Delgado F.
Alexandra Alvarado P.
\t \t Jose Roberto Garita N.
SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas treinta minutos del nueve de julio de dos mil veinticuatro .
Gestión posterior planteada por Nombre5628 , en relación con la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019.
Resultando:
Redacta el Magistrado Rueda Leal; y,
Considerando:
En la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, se dispuso, en lo que interesa, lo siguiente:
“Por tanto: Se declara con lugar el recurso. Se ordena a Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat, Alcaldesa de Curridabat, Presidenta Ejecutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, que en el plazo improrrogable de 3 días, emitan las órdenes respectivas en el marco de su competencia, a fin de que se reactive la Comisión Interinstitucional conformada por la Defensoría de los Habitantes para la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia.
Asimismo, se ordena a Alicia Borja Rodríguez y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Alcaldesa de Curridabat y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, que de inmediato coordinen y adopten las medidas necesarias y ejecuten los desalojos respectivos de aquellas familias que se encuentran en las zonas de riesgo constatadas desde el año 2009 y que actualmente mantengan en riesgo su integridad física; y que en el plazo de 6 meses coordinen y resuelvan lo relativo a la denuncia planteada por el recurrente el 28 de mayo de 2018, en relación con el problema de aguas negras, y le notifiquen lo resuelto. Lo anterior bajo apercibimiento que, con base en lo establecido en el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado.
Se condena a la Municipalidad de Curridabat, al Estado y al Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a (sic) esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. Notifíquese esta resolución en forma personal a Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat, Alcaldesa de Curridabat, Presidenta Ejecutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos; así como también al Presidente Ejecutivo del IMAS, a la Ministra de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos y a la Defensora de los Habitantes. El Magistrado Salazar Alvarado pone nota, respecto al tema de aguas negras”.
Tal sentencia fue notificada el 9 de julio de 2019 al presidente Ejecutivo del IMAS, el 10 de julio de 2019 a la ministra de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos, el 11 de julio de 2019 a la alcaldesa de Curridabat, al director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat y a la Defensora de los Habitantes, el 16 de julio de 2019 al presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat y el 19 de julio de 2019 a la presidenta Ejecutiva del ICAA.
“III.- Sobre la gestión de incumplimiento. En la especie, de la lectura íntegra de la gestión posterior, se desprende que el tutelado acusa desobediencia de lo dispuesto en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, únicamente respecto a lo siguiente: “(…) se ordena a Alicia Borja Rodríguez y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Alcaldesa de Curridabat y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, que (…) en el plazo de 6 meses coordinen y resuelvan lo relativo a la denuncia planteada por el recurrente el 28 de mayo de 2018, en relación con el problema de aguas negras, y le notifiquen lo resuelto”. En ese sentido, el tutelado reclama que se le ordenó a Alicia Borja Rodríguez y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Alcaldesa de Curridabat y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, que en el plazo de 6 meses coordinen y resuelvan lo relativo a la denuncia planteada por el recurrente el 28 de mayo de 2018, en relación con el problema de aguas negras, y le notifiquen lo resuelto, además, explica que tal denuncia se efectuó debido a una serie de amenazas a la población, puesto que existe una corriente de aguas negras a nivel de cordón de caño en la Dirección1319 en Tirrases; sin embargo, a la fecha de interposición de esta gestión, no le consta que el Área Rectora de Salud haya emitido orden sanitaria alguna, ni que las autoridades recurridas hayan atendido la problemática expuesta, por lo que acusa el incumplimiento parcial a la sentencia principal del proceso, en tanto que ya ha transcurrido el plazo de seis meses para solucionar el problema de aguas negras de la zona. Solicita que se ejecute la sentencia en cuanto al incumplimiento parcial y pide que no se acepten las justificaciones técnicas emitidas por las autoridades recurridas.
Al respecto, el Alcalde de Curridabat indicó que, en cuanto a la denuncia planteada por el amparado el 28 de mayo de 2018 por el tema de aguas negras, se llevaron a cabo las siguientes actuaciones: “• Se gestionó y compartió información requerida para comenzar a identificar la problemática, entre esto se encuentra un levantamiento topográfico, información registral y delimitación del sitio, así como un mapa del área de interés con las tuberías pluviales (líneas) que se tienen inventariadas en la Dirección de Gestión Vial de ese sector y que tributan hacia el cuerpo de agua en análisis, nodos que corresponden a pozos, cajas de registro u otro tipo de elemento que une los tramos de tuberías, cuerpos de agua y propiedades. • Las inspecciones iniciales para detectar problemas de contaminación y el acompañamiento de la Municipalidad de Curridabat al Ministerio de Salud ocurrieron entre noviembre y diciembre 2019 en cuatro fechas distintas con cuatro coloraciones realizadas en promedio por fecha, entre viviendas y comercio.
En relación con este último item (sic) desarrollado, es importante tomar en cuenta que, la Municipalidad requiere de la intervención por del Ministerio de Salud para hacer las comprobaciones respecto a cuál propiedad o predio viene la inadecuada conexión y proceder con la notificación. Asimismo, y de acuerdo con información de este Ministerio, aún se requiere más trabajo de campo; sin embargo, para el 2020 no se ha logrado realizar. A inicios de este año, se presentó ante el Miniserio (sic) de Salud el oficio MC-PMA 0104-01-2020, que hacía referencia a una estrategia para el abordaje de contaminación difusa en cursos de agua en el cantón de Curridabat, con énfasis especial en la resolución n°2019012231 de la Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, para lo cual se propusieron fechas de reunión para tratar los temas y los avances con el caso, pero dichas fechas debieron ser canceladas por parte del ente Ministerial de Salud, pues su proridad (sic) en este momento es atender urgencias en cuanto la atención del público y consecuente disponibilidad de recursos humano, en cumplimiento del Decreto Ejecutivo N°42221-S y lineamientos Ministeriales en atención a la alerta sanitaria por COVID-19, por lo que, comunicaron a esta corporación municipal que, no era posible asistir a las reuniones convocadas, ya que los recursos de esa unidad organizativa se encuentran enfocados en la atención de la alerta sanitaria.
Las coloraciones mencionadas requieren el ingreso a propiedad privada y la aplicación del reactivo fluoresceína en los sistemas que se sospechan puedan estar conectados al sistema pluvial, esto requiere por lo tanto una interacción entre funcionarios municipales, personal de salud, habitantes de la vivienda y dueños o colabores del comercio visitado. Lo anteiror (sic) con el fin de que se corrijan infracciones y alteraciones a los recursos naturales; sin embargo, es importante mencionar que acatamos las directrices emitidas por el ente rector de Salud, en cuanto a las medidas sanitarias necesarias para reducir los contagios y proteger tanto a los funcionarios, sus familias y a la comunidad”.
Por otro lado, en cuanto al plazo de 6 meses otorgado para atender la problemática de aguas negras, la Directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat indicó que “se procedió a la coordinación con la Municipalidad de Curridabat, con el fin de que brindara el apoyo a esta Área Rectora de Salud con los recursos con que esta dispone en materia cartográfica y registral, para que aportara un levantamiento del área de influencia de la problemática denunciada de aguas negras. (…) Se aportó un croquis con la ubicación de las propiedades a intervenir con la información del Nombre62 del propietario, llegándose a establecer una cantidad de 62 propiedades. Con esta información y con los recursos humanos y materiales disponibles en esta Área Rectora de Salud, se procedió a establecer una programación para el desplazamiento a la zona, con el fin de realizar las respectivas pruebas de coloración en cada vivienda identificada, con el fin de terminar el manejo y disposición de las aguas negras.
El proceso de pruebas de coloración se inició en el mes de noviembre de 2019, este proceso es lento, dado que solo se puede realizar dicha prueba a una vivienda a la vez, se debe esperar el resultado y verificarlo en puntos de difícil acceso. El proceso de las pruebas de coloración se ha avanzado en un 32% aproximadamente, dado que por la emergencia nacional decretada mediante Decreto Ejecutivo No 42227-MP-S, “Declara estado de emergencia nacional en todo el territorio de la República de Costa Rica, debido a la situación de emergencia sanitaria provocada por la enfermedad COVID-19”, se ha requerido priorizar la atención de esta emergencia”.
Ahora, si bien las autoridades expusieron diversas acciones efectuadas en aras de solventar la problemática de aguas negras acusada por el recurrente y, además, justificaron que debido a la pandemia de la covid 19 no han podido cumplir a cabalidad lo ordenado por la Sala, no menos cierto es que el plazo de seis meses otorgado feneció en enero de 2020, esto es, antes de la emisión del decreto n.° 42227-MP-S “Declara estado de emergencia nacional en todo el territorio de la República de Costa Rica, debido a la situación de emergencia sanitaria provocada por la enfermedad COVID-19” del 16 de marzo de 2020 por parte del Poder Ejecutivo. En adición, tales autoridades no formularon dentro del plazo otorgado una solicitud de prórroga ni tampoco algún cronograma de cumplimiento y, en todo caso, de la prueba no se desprende que se le hayan notificado a la parte recurrente.
En mérito de lo expuesto, este Tribunal tiene por acreditado el incumplimiento a lo ordenado en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, únicamente respecto al Alcalde de Curridabat y al Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, en los términos supra señalados. No obstante, como las personas que actualmente ejercen los cargos de Alcalde de Curridabat y Directora del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat no son las mismas a quienes se les notificó la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, lo procedente es ordenar el cumplimiento de lo ahí dispuesto a los actuales representantes, tal y como se dispondrá en la parte dispositiva de esta resolución. (…)
Por tanto: Se acoge la gestión de incumplimiento. Se ordena a Jimmy Cruz Jiménez y Melissa Arguedas Arce por su orden Alcalde de Curridabat y Directora del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ejerzan tales cargos, cumplir lo dispuesto en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, en relación con que “en el plazo de 6 meses coordinen y resuelvan lo relativo a la denuncia planteada por el recurrente el 28 de mayo de 2018, en relación con el problema de aguas negras, y le notifiquen lo resuelto”. Se advierte a los recurridos que, de conformidad con el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado. Se declara inadmisible la coadyuvancia planteada. Notifíquese esta resolución a Jimmy Cruz Jiménez y Melissa Arguedas Arce por su orden Alcalde de Curridabat y Directora del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ejerzan tales cargos, en forma personal”.
Tal pronunciamiento fue notificado a las autoridades recurridas el 26 de octubre de 2020.
“Por tanto: Se acoge parcialmente la gestión de incumplimiento, solo en relación con lo ordenado en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, correspondiente a que “en el plazo de 6 meses coordinen y resuelvan lo relativo a la denuncia planteada por el recurrente el 28 de mayo de 2018, en relación con el problema de aguas negras, y le notifiquen lo resuelto”. Se ordena a Jimmy Cruz Jiménez y Melissa Arguedas Arce por su orden alcalde de Curridabat y directora a.i del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ejerzan tales cargos, cumplir lo dispuesto en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, en relación con que “en el plazo de 6 meses coordinen y resuelvan lo relativo a la denuncia planteada por el recurrente el 28 de mayo de 2018, en relación con el problema de aguas negras, y le notifiquen lo resuelto”. Lo anterior bajo el apercibimiento de ordenar el testimonio de piezas ante el Ministerio Público contra el alcalde de Curridabat y la apertura de un procedimiento administrativo contra la directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat si no lo hicieren.
Por otra parte, se amplía el plazo otorgado en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, solo en lo relativo a “la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses” y en consecuencia se confiere a Tomás Martínez Baldares, Jimmy Cruz Jiménez, Óscar Mora Altamirano y Johanna Chavarría Víquez, por su orden, presidente ejecutivo del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, alcalde de Curridabat, presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat y directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ejerzan esos cargos, plazo hasta el 8 de mayo de 2024, únicamente para solucionar el problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, de acuerdo con los términos ordenados en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019.
En todo lo demás, no ha lugar a las gestiones formuladas. Notifíquese esta resolución a Jimmy Cruz Jiménez y Melissa Arguedas Arce por su orden alcalde de Curridabat y directora a.i del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ejerzan tales cargos, en forma personal”.
“Sobre la gestión de incumplimiento. En la especie, de la lectura integral del escrito del recurrente, se desprende que lo planteado es una desobediencia a lo ordenado en la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, específicamente en lo relativo al problema de abastecimiento de agua del proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, pues sostiene que a partir de la información que le ha solicitado a los recurridos se desprende que estos no han tomado acción alguna para solventar esa situación.
Al respecto, adviértase que en la supracitada resolución interlocutoria nro. 2021015951 de las 9:20 horas del 16 de julio de 2021 se resolvió: “. Por otra parte, se amplía el plazo otorgado en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, solo en lo relativo a “la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses” y en consecuencia se confiere a Tomás Martínez Baldares, Jimmy Cruz Jiménez, Óscar Mora Altamirano y Johanna Chavarría Víquez, por su orden, presidente ejecutivo del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, alcalde de Curridabat, presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat y directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ejerzan esos cargos, plazo hasta el 8 de mayo de 2024, únicamente para solucionar el problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, de acuerdo con los términos ordenados en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019”.
Es decir, nótese que el plazo para solucionar la problemática del desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I no fenece sino hasta el 8 de mayo de 2024, por lo que resulta prematuro referirse en este momento a alguna desobediencia en relación con ese extremo.
Ergo, no ha lugar a la gestión formulada”.
“V.- SOBRE LA SOLICITUD DE AMPLIACIÓN DE PLAZO. En el sub iudice, Juan Manuel Quesada Espinoza, Errol Solano Bolaños Y Melissa Arguedas Arce, por su orden, presidente ejecutivo del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, alcalde de Curridabat y directora a. i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat del Ministerio de Salud, requieren ante este Tribunal la ampliación del plazo para cumplir lo ordenado la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, a fin de que sea previsto hasta el primer semestre del 2027.
Primeramente, en la sentencia de marras la Sala dispuso “Se declara con lugar el recurso. Se ordena a Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat, Alcaldesa de Curridabat, Presidenta Ejecutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, que en el plazo improrrogable de 3 días, emitan las órdenes respectivas en el marco de su competencia, a fin de que se reactive la Comisión Interinstitucional conformada por la Defensoría de los Habitantes para la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia.
Asimismo, se ordena a Alicia Borja Rodríguez y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Alcaldesa de Curridabat y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, que de inmediato coordinen y adopten las medidas necesarias y ejecuten los desalojos respectivos de aquellas familias que se encuentran en las zonas de riesgo constatadas desde el año 2009 y que actualmente mantengan en riesgo su integridad física; y que en el plazo de 6 meses coordinen y resuelvan lo relativo a la denuncia planteada por el recurrente el 28 de mayo de 2018, en relación con el problema de aguas negras, y le notifiquen lo resuelto. Lo anterior bajo apercibimiento que, con base en lo establecido en el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado.
Se condena a la Municipalidad de Curridabat, al Estado y al Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a (sic) esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. Notifíquese esta resolución en forma personal a Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat, Alcaldesa de Curridabat, Presidenta Ejecutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos; así como también al Presidente Ejecutivo del IMAS, a la Ministra de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos y a la Defensora de los Habitantes. El Magistrado Salazar Alvarado pone nota, respecto al tema de aguas negras”.
Además, recuérdese que en la resolución interlocutoria nro. 2021015951 de las 9:20 horas del 16 de julio de 2021 se amplió el plazo conferido para el cumplimiento de la orden relativa a la problemática de desabastecimiento de agua de la comunidad de Miravalle I hasta el 8 de mayo de 2024.
Aclarado lo anterior, de los autos se desprenden varias acciones desarrolladas por las autoridades recurridas para acatar lo ordenado por este Tribunal, entre ellas, se han efectuado giras de campo, estudios topográficos, la elaboración de diseños, así como reuniones de la Mesa Técnica y la Mesa Política y gestiones de parte de la comisión interinstitucional dispuesta para atender el problema supramencionado. De igual forma, se observan actuaciones para atender lo concerniente al desalojo de las familias que se encuentran en zonas de riesgo, lo que incluyen gestiones para la donación de terrenos, el levantamiento de un censo para determinar la cantidad de habitantes y de viviendas, un inventario cartográfico, así como la contratación 2021LA-000009-0023100001 “Informe Final Servicios de ingeniería para diseño integral y completo (planos, presupuesto) de obras gestión de riesgo en Cantón de Curridabat Línea No. 21 2: Estabilidad de taludes Miravalles II - Análisis de estabilidad de laderas con estudios geotécnicos en zonas de alto riesgo identificado, el cual constituye un estudio geotécnico de estabilidad de taludes del sector de Miravalles”.
Asimismo, se comprueba que el 4 de marzo de 2024 se planteó el caso del Asentamiento Informal Miravalles II a la Comisión de Atención Integral de Desalojos; empero, este no fue asumido por tal comisión y, por ende, se definió por parte de Ministerio de Salud formular un proceso ordinario de desalojo. Aunado a lo anterior, de importancia para la resolución de este asunto se tiene que el proyecto “Mejoras al Sistema de Acueducto de Miravalles 1, San José” fue integrado al proyecto “Linda Vista-Miravalles”, el cual a su vez forma parte del proyecto “Agua Potable en Zonas Periurbanas del AMSJ - Linda Vista de Río Azul en Desamparados San José”, que tiene como objetivo mejorar la cobertura y prestación óptima del servicio de agua potable en zonas periurbanas seleccionadas en el área metropolitana de San José. Al respecto, el presidente ejecutivo del Icaa explica que tal decisión “se justifica en los principios de eficacia y eficiencia pública, pues se constató la existencia del desarrollo de proyecto macro que beneficiará a otros sectores aledaños del Acueducto GAM, por lo que es pertinente unificar todos los proyectos que cumplen un mismo fin para maximizar los recursos disponibles y evitar la duplicidad y aumento de los trámites, los costos y tiempo.
También se justifica en los beneficios de financiamiento del proyecto “Agua Potable en Zonas Periurbanas del AMSJ - Linda Vista de Río Azul en Desamparados San José” el cual se encuentra inscrito con el código “BPIP 001941” ante el Banco de Proyectos de Inversión Pública (BPIP) del Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN), sin que lo anterior se hubiera logrado de manera individual para el proyecto de “Mejoras al Sistema de Acueducto de Miravalles 1, San José”. Por lo tanto, la inscripción del proyecto permite continuar con el desarrollo de las etapas de manera paralela hasta su implementación final”.
Ahora, si bien se observa que se han ejecutado acciones tendentes a solventar la problemática de marras, no menos cierto es que las autoridades recurridas pretenden una extensión del plazo para el cumplimiento de lo ordenado por este Tribunal hasta el primer semestre del 2027, lo que implicaría una concesión de más de tres años y seis meses adicionales al plazo indicado en la sentencia principal de este asunto que fue de 24 meses y que, posteriormente, fue ampliado por 24 meses más en relación con la problemática de desabastecimiento de agua, todo lo cual resulta desproporcionado.
Aunado a lo anterior, aun cuando se adjunta un cronograma por parte del Icaa, no menos cierto es que su presidente ejecutivo reconoció que el visado del proyecto apenas se encuentra en trámite por parte del Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación y que “Una vez que se cuente con el visado y la inscripción correspondiente de los planos, se contempla un plazo adicional de seis (6) meses para realizar el avalúo administrativo y tramitar ante la Junta Directiva de AYA la emisión del acuerdo que declare el “interés público“ para adquirir los terrenos y efectuar el proceso de expropiación ante el INVU, siempre y cuando este último acepte el avaluó administrativo, pues de lo contrario sería necesario recurrir a la vía judicial para definir el justiprecio en un plazo que podría contemplar más de doce (12) meses para la obtención, puesta en posesión y uso de los terrenos” (el resaltado fue agregado).
En igual sentido, la directora a. i. del Área de Salud de Curridabat expuso “En lo que respecta al cronograma de las acciones a efectuar por este Ministerio en la intervención del sector de vulnerabilidad por riesgo y según los componentes citados, se estima un plazo aproximado de cumplimiento al primer semestre del 2027, a partir del proceso de notificación de las órdenes sanitarias, siempre y cuando el mismo no llegue a judicializarse, puesto que en dicho supuesto dependerá del impulso procesal de las partes y de las acciones recursivas que sean interpuestas por los posibles afectados”.
En suma, las propias autoridades recurridas reconocen que los cronogramas propuestos para el cumplimiento de lo ordenado por este Tribunal en la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019 no son definitivos, sino que se encuentran sujetos a variaciones que prologuen aún más el plazo previsto para su culminación, el cual actualmente se prevé para el primer semestre del año 2027, todo lo cual deviene desproporcionado, máxime si se considera que la primera sentencia de este proceso se dictó hace casi cinco años.
Con base en lo expuesto, no ha lugar a la gestión planteada (…)
Por tanto: No ha lugar a la gestión formulada”.
En el sub iudice, por escrito incorporado al expediente digital el 11 de junio de 2024, el accionante Nombre5628 formula una gestión de desobediencia en relación con la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, específicamente en lo que a esta orden se refiere:
“Se ordena a Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat, Alcaldesa de Curridabat, Presidenta Ejecutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, que en el plazo improrrogable de 3 días, emitan las órdenes respectivas en el marco de su competencia, a fin de que se reactive la Comisión Interinstitucional conformada por la Defensoría de los Habitantes para la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia”.
Al respecto, sostiene que el plazo otorgado por este Tribunal para el cumplimiento de la orden finalizó el 8 de mayo de 2024, pero las propias autoridades accionadas reconocen que el problema no se ha solucionado y no detallan las acciones concretas a desarrollar para atenderlo.
Sobre el particular, conviene recordar que en la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019 dispuso este Tribunal:
“Se ordena a Hernán Masís Quesada, Alicia Borja Rodríguez, Yamileth Astorga Espeleta y a Manuel Rosales Caamaño, por su orden Presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat, Alcaldesa de Curridabat, Presidenta Ejecutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado y Director del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, que en el plazo improrrogable de 3 días, emitan las órdenes respectivas en el marco de su competencia, a fin de que se reactive la Comisión Interinstitucional conformada por la Defensoría de los Habitantes para la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia”.
Posteriormente, en la resolución interlocutoria nro. 2021015951 de las 9:20 horas del 16 de julio de 2021, esta Cámara dispuso:
“Por otra parte, se amplía el plazo otorgado en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, solo en lo relativo a “la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses” y en consecuencia se confiere a Tomás Martínez Baldares, Jimmy Cruz Jiménez, Óscar Mora Altamirano y Johanna Chavarría Víquez, por su orden, presidente ejecutivo del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, alcalde de Curridabat, presidente del Concejo Municipal de Curridabat y directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat, o a quienes ejerzan esos cargos, plazo hasta el 8 de mayo de 2024, únicamente para solucionar el problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, de acuerdo con los términos ordenados en la sentencia n.° 2019-012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019”.
Por último, esta Sala dictó la sentencia interlocutoria nro. 2024012463 de las 9:20 horas del 10 de mayo de 2024, mediante la cual se resolvió una solicitud de ampliación de plazo planteada por las autoridades recurridas de esta forma:
“Aclarado lo anterior, de los autos se desprenden varias acciones desarrolladas por las autoridades recurridas para acatar lo ordenado por este Tribunal, entre ellas, se han efectuado giras de campo, estudios topográficos, la elaboración de diseños, así como reuniones de la Mesa Técnica y la Mesa Política y gestiones de parte de la comisión interinstitucional dispuesta para atender el problema supramencionado. De igual forma, se observan actuaciones para atender lo concerniente al desalojo de las familias que se encuentran en zonas de riesgo, lo que incluyen gestiones para la donación de terrenos, el levantamiento de un censo para determinar la cantidad de habitantes y de viviendas, un inventario cartográfico, así como la contratación 2021LA-000009-0023100001 “Informe Final Servicios de ingeniería para diseño integral y completo (planos, presupuesto) de obras gestión de riesgo en Cantón de Curridabat Línea No. 21 2: Estabilidad de taludes Miravalles II - Análisis de estabilidad de laderas con estudios geotécnicos en zonas de alto riesgo identificado, el cual constituye un estudio geotécnico de estabilidad de taludes del sector de Miravalles”.
Asimismo, se comprueba que el 4 de marzo de 2024 se planteó el caso del Asentamiento Informal Miravalles II a la Comisión de Atención Integral de Desalojos; empero, este no fue asumido por tal comisión y, por ende, se definió por parte de Ministerio de Salud formular un proceso ordinario de desalojo. Aunado a lo anterior, de importancia para la resolución de este asunto se tiene que el proyecto “Mejoras al Sistema de Acueducto de Miravalles 1, San José” fue integrado al proyecto “Linda Vista-Miravalles”, el cual a su vez forma parte del proyecto “Agua Potable en Zonas Periurbanas del AMSJ - Linda Vista de Río Azul en Desamparados San José”, que tiene como objetivo mejorar la cobertura y prestación óptima del servicio de agua potable en zonas periurbanas seleccionadas en el área metropolitana de San José. Al respecto, el presidente ejecutivo del Icaa explica que tal decisión “se justifica en los principios de eficacia y eficiencia pública, pues se constató la existencia del desarrollo de proyecto macro que beneficiará a otros sectores aledaños del Acueducto GAM, por lo que es pertinente unificar todos los proyectos que cumplen un mismo fin para maximizar los recursos disponibles y evitar la duplicidad y aumento de los trámites, los costos y tiempo.
También se justifica en los beneficios de financiamiento del proyecto “Agua Potable en Zonas Periurbanas del AMSJ - Linda Vista de Río Azul en Desamparados San José” el cual se encuentra inscrito con el código “BPIP 001941” ante el Banco de Proyectos de Inversión Pública (BPIP) del Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN), sin que lo anterior se hubiera logrado de manera individual para el proyecto de “Mejoras al Sistema de Acueducto de Miravalles 1, San José”. Por lo tanto, la inscripción del proyecto permite continuar con el desarrollo de las etapas de manera paralela hasta su implementación final”. Ahora, si bien se observa que se han ejecutado acciones tendentes a solventar la problemática de marras, no menos cierto es que las autoridades recurridas pretenden una extensión del plazo para el cumplimiento de lo ordenado por este Tribunal hasta el primer semestre del 2027, lo que implicaría una concesión de más de tres años y seis meses adicionales al plazo indicado en la sentencia principal de este asunto que fue de 24 meses y que, posteriormente, fue ampliado por 24 meses más en relación con la problemática de desabastecimiento de agua, todo lo cual resulta desproporcionado.
Aunado a lo anterior, aun cuando se adjunta un cronograma por parte del Icaa, no menos cierto es que su presidente ejecutivo reconoció que el visado del proyecto apenas se encuentra en trámite por parte del Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación y que “Una vez que se cuente con el visado y la inscripción correspondiente de los planos, se contempla un plazo adicional de seis (6) meses para realizar el avalúo administrativo y tramitar ante la Junta Directiva de AYA la emisión del acuerdo que declare el “interés público“ para adquirir los terrenos y efectuar el proceso de expropiación ante el INVU, siempre y cuando este último acepte el avaluó administrativo, pues de lo contrario sería necesario recurrir a la vía judicial para definir el justiprecio en un plazo que podría contemplar más de doce (12) meses para la obtención, puesta en posesión y uso de los terrenos” (…). En igual sentido, la directora a. i. del Área de Salud de Curridabat expuso “En lo que respecta al cronograma de las acciones a efectuar por este Ministerio en la intervención del sector de vulnerabilidad por riesgo y según los componentes citados, se estima un plazo aproximado de cumplimiento al primer semestre del 2027, a partir del proceso de notificación de las órdenes sanitarias, siempre y cuando el mismo no llegue a judicializarse, puesto que en dicho supuesto dependerá del impulso procesal de las partes y de las acciones recursivas que sean interpuestas por los posibles afectados”.
En suma, las propias autoridades recurridas reconocen que los cronogramas propuestos para el cumplimiento de lo ordenado por este Tribunal en la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019 no son definitivos, sino que se encuentran sujetos a variaciones que prologuen aún más el plazo previsto para su culminación, el cual actualmente se prevé para el primer semestre del año 2027, todo lo cual deviene desproporcionado, máxime si se considera que la primera sentencia de este proceso se dictó hace casi cinco años”.
Ahora bien, tal como se indicó en la sentencia nro. 2024012463 de las 9:20 horas del 10 de mayo de 2024, aun cuando de los autos se desprenden diversas actuaciones de las autoridades recurridas a fin de atender el problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, no menos cierto es que las propias accionadas reconocen que no ha sido resuelto, ello a pesar de que el plazo prorrogado para el cumplimiento de lo ordenado feneció el 8 de mayo de 2024. En otras palabras, se evidencia una falta de actuación eficiente y célere por parte de las autoridades recurridas con miras a solventar la problemática aludida. Al respecto, si bien se observan algunas gestiones para atenderla, no menos cierto es que el cronograma que consta en el expediente prevé su solución definitiva hasta al menos el primer trimestre de 2027, a saber, para dentro de más de tres años. Acerca de esto, las autoridades recurridas alegan la necesidad de coordinación interinstitucional y la complejidad de la solución como argumentos para justificar la demora en atender el problema en cuestión; sin embargo, aun cuando esta Cámara es consciente de tal complejidad, lo que se refleja en la extensión de plazo ya otorgado para atender el problema de desabastecimiento en cuestión, no menos cierto es que ya han transcurrido aproximadamente cinco años desde el dictado de la sentencia principal de este proceso sin que se haya dado la solución definitiva, lo que conculca los derechos fundamentales de las personas por atender a través del proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I.
Con base en lo expuesto, se acoge la gestión de desobediencia en relación con la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, específicamente en cuanto a “la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses”. Empero, como las personas que actualmente ejercen los cargos de alcaldesa y presidente del Concejo, ambos de la Municipalidad Curridabat, así como de presidente ejecutivo del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado y de directora del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat difieren de a quienes se les notificó la mencionada sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019, lo procedente es ordenar el cumplimiento de lo ahí dispuesto a quienes actualmente ejercen esos cargos según lo informado por la parte recurrida en el sub iudice.
Se previene a las partes que, de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, éstos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de 30 días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", aprobado por la Corte Plena en sesión N° 27-11 del 22 de agosto del 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial número 19 del 26 de enero del 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión N° 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.
Por tanto:
Se acoge la gestión de desobediencia formulada. Se les ordena a Errol Solano Bolaños y Luis Monge Díaz, por su orden alcalde y presidente del Concejo, ambos de la Municipalidad de Curridabat, así como a Juan Manuel Quesada Espinoza y Melissa Arguedas Arce, por su orden presidente ejecutivo del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados y directora a. i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat del Ministerio de Salud, o a quienes en su lugar ocupen esos cargos, cumplir lo dispuesto en la sentencia nro. 2019012231 de las 9:30 horas del 5 de julio de 2019 respecto a “la atención del problema de desabastecimiento de agua en el proyecto urbanístico Miravalles I, para que en forma coordinada se ejecuten las acciones necesarias que resuelvan de forma definitiva dicha problemática, en el plazo máximo de 24 meses”. Se advierte a los recurridos que, de conformidad con el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado.
Notifíquese esta resolución en forma personal a Errol Solano Bolaños y Luis Monge Díaz, por su orden, alcalde y presidente del Concejo, ambos de la Municipalidad de Curridabat, así como a Juan Manuel Quesada Espinoza y Melissa Arguedas Arce, por su orden, presidente ejecutivo del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados y directora a. i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Curridabat del Ministerio de Salud, o a quienes en su lugar ocupen esos cargos.
Fernando Castillo V.
Paul Rueda L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Alejandro Delgado F.
Alexandra Alvarado P.
Jose Roberto Garita N.
Document not found. Documento no encontrado.