Senator Diego Ibáñez and Deputy María Francisca Bello of the Frente Amplio (FA) party have denounced the recent approval of the Maratué real estate project in Puchuncaví. The lawmakers argued that the urban planning decision lacks a comprehensive territorial perspective and prioritizes private interests over community safety.
The Maratué project involves constructing thousands of homes in the Quirilluca sector. Local communities and environmental organizations have previously flagged the development for its potential impact on an area already characterized by high environmental fragility.
Risks to water and territory
Senator Ibáñez questioned whether the government has learned from the environmental crises in the Quintero and Puchuncaví zones. He stated that the approval represents a setback for environmental protection standards.
“What is at stake in projects like Maratué is whether we learned from zones like Quintero and Puchuncaví, or if we are going to return to making decisions without sufficient safeguards for the communities,” Ibáñez said.
He added that urban development should not be dictated by real estate initiatives. Instead, the senator argued that the State, communities, and the territory must be the central focus of planning.
Deputy Bello echoed these concerns, noting that the current development model fails to engage with local territories. She specifically pointed to the lack of consideration for the ongoing water crisis and the accumulated environmental damage in the region.
Both legislators warned that bringing thousands of new residents to a limited area could strain basic services and exacerbate structural problems regarding water access. Bello noted that while she supports investment, such growth must occur responsibly without sacrificing people or the environment.
