{ "id": "nexus-sen-1-0007-482986", "citation": "Res. 05412-2010 Sala Constitucional", "section": "nexus_decisions", "doc_type": "constitutional_decision", "title_es": "Omisión municipal en reparación de calles vulnera derecho al buen funcionamiento de servicios públicos", "title_en": "Municipal omission in road repair violates right to proper functioning of public services", "summary_es": "La Sala Constitucional conoció un recurso de amparo interpuesto por un vecino de la Urbanización Los Palmares contra la Municipalidad de Palmares, por la falta de reparación y mantenimiento de las calles de dicha urbanización. El recurrente alegó que, a pesar de múltiples gestiones, la municipalidad no había iniciado los trabajos ni emitido una respuesta formal. La autoridad recurrida reconoció la situación, pero justificó la omisión en la falta de materia prima. La Sala consideró que la omisión en la reparación y mantenimiento de las carreteras configura una lesión al derecho fundamental al buen funcionamiento de los servicios públicos y un quebranto a la obligación constitucional municipal de administrar los intereses y servicios locales del cantón. Con base en la Ley General de Caminos Públicos y la Ley de Simplificación y Eficiencia Tributarias, recordó que la administración y mantenimiento de la red vial cantonal corresponde a las municipalidades. En consecuencia, declaró con lugar el recurso y ordenó a las autoridades municipales realizar las reparaciones en un plazo de tres meses, bajo apercibimiento de las sanciones del artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional.", "summary_en": "The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo action filed by a resident of Los Palmares against the Municipality of Palmares, due to the lack of repair and maintenance of the residential area's roads. Despite multiple requests, the municipality had not started any work or issued a formal response, attributing the delay to a shortage of raw materials. The Chamber held that the omission in repairing and maintaining the roads constitutes a violation of the fundamental right to the proper functioning of public services and a breach of the municipal constitutional duty to manage local interests and services. Citing the General Law on Public Roads and the Tax Simplification and Efficiency Law, it reaffirmed that municipalities are responsible for the management and upkeep of the cantonal road network. The Chamber granted the amparo and ordered the municipal authorities to carry out the repairs within three months, warning of the penalties under Article 71 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law.", "court_or_agency": "Sala Constitucional", "date": "2010", "year": "2010", "topic_ids": [ "_off-topic" ], "primary_topic_id": "_off-topic", "es_concept_hints": [ "recurso de amparo", "buen funcionamiento de los servicios públicos", "red vial cantonal", "Ley General de Caminos Públicos", "Ley de Simplificación y Eficiencia Tributarias", "municipalidad" ], "concept_anchors": [ { "article": "Art. 1", "law": "Ley General de Caminos Públicos" }, { "article": "Art. 2", "law": "Ley General de Caminos Públicos" }, { "article": "Art. 5 inciso b", "law": "Ley de Simplificación y Eficiencia Tributarias" } ], "keywords_es": [ "amparo", "municipalidad", "reparación de calles", "servicios públicos", "red vial cantonal", "Palmares", "omisión", "buen funcionamiento" ], "keywords_en": [ "amparo", "municipality", "road repair", "public services", "cantonal road network", "Palmares", "omission", "proper functioning" ], "excerpt_es": "Considera este Tribunal que la omisión en la reparación y mantenimiento de las carreteras, por parte de las autoridades recurridas, configura una lesión al derecho fundamental al buen funcionamiento de los servicios públicos y representa un quebranto a la obligación constitucional encomendada a las Municipalidades de velar por la administración de los intereses y servicios locales del cantón, en este caso particular, en cuanto al mantenimiento de la red vial cantonal.", "excerpt_en": "This Court considers that the omission to repair and maintain the roads by the respondent authorities constitutes a violation of the fundamental right to the proper functioning of public services and represents a breach of the constitutional duty entrusted to Municipalities to oversee the administration of the canton's local interests and services, in this particular case, regarding the maintenance of the cantonal road network.", "outcome": { "label_en": "Granted", "label_es": "Con lugar", "summary_en": "The amparo is granted, ordering the Municipality of Palmares to repair the roads within three months.", "summary_es": "Se declara con lugar el recurso y se ordena a la Municipalidad de Palmares reparar las carreteras en tres meses." }, "pull_quotes": [ { "context": "Considerando IV", "quote_en": "This Court considers that the omission to repair and maintain the roads by the respondent authorities constitutes a violation of the fundamental right to the proper functioning of public services.", "quote_es": "Considera este Tribunal que la omisión en la reparación y mantenimiento de las carreteras, por parte de las autoridades recurridas, configura una lesión al derecho fundamental al buen funcionamiento de los servicios públicos." }, { "context": "Considerando IV", "quote_en": "It should be recalled that, in accordance with Article 1 of the General Law on Public Roads, No. 5060 of August 22, 1972, the management of the cantonal road network corresponds to municipalities.", "quote_es": "Recuérdese que, de acuerdo con lo dispuesto en el artículo 1° de la Ley General de Caminos Públicos, No. 5060 del 22 de agosto de 1972, la administración de la red vial cantonal corresponde a las municipalidades." } ], "cites": [], "cited_by": [], "references": { "internal": [], "external": [] }, "source_url": "https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/document/sen-1-0007-482986", "tier": 2, "_editorial_citation_count": 0, "regulations_by_article": null, "amendments_by_article": null, "dictamen_by_article": null, "concordancias_by_article": null, "afectaciones_by_article": null, "resoluciones_by_article": null, "cited_by_votos": [], "cited_norms": [], "cited_norms_inverted": [ { "doc_id": "norm-38653", "norm_num": "5060", "norm_name": "Ley General de Caminos Públicos", "tipo_norma": "Ley", "norm_fecha": "22/08/1972" }, { "doc_id": "norm-46631", "norm_num": "8114", "norm_name": "Ley de Simplificación y Eficiencia Tributarias", "tipo_norma": "Ley", "norm_fecha": "04/07/2001" } ], "sentencias_relacionadas": [], "temas_y_subtemas": [], "cascade_only": false, "amendment_count": 0, "body_es_text": "Exp: 10-002386-0007-CO \n\r\n\r\n\nRes. Nº 2010005412\n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nSALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE\r\nSUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las diez horas y veintisiete minutos del\r\ndiecinueve de marzo del dos mil diez.\n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRecurso de amparo\r\ninterpuesto por CESAR ENRIQUE QUIRÓS MORA, cédula de identidad\r\n0105750012, contra la MUNICIPALIDAD DE PALMARES. \n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRESULTANDO:\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n1.- Por escrito recibido en\r\nla Secretaría de la Sala a las 14:10 hrs. de 16 de febrero de 2010, el\r\nrecurrente interpone recurso de amparo contra la Municipalidad de Palmares y\r\nmanifiesta que desde el mes de enero de 2009 ha solicitado a la Municipalidad \r\nrecurrida en conjunto con un grupo de vecinos de la Urbanización Los Palmares,\r\nubicada aproximadamente a 400\r\n metros del centro de Palmares, el arreglo de las calles\r\nde dicha urbanización, las cuales se encuentran pésimo estado ya que no se les\r\nha brindado ningún tipo de mantenimiento. Manifiesta que dichas calzadas se\r\nencuentran sin la capa asfáltica, convirtiéndose en una calle de lastre, \"llena\r\nde huecos\". Indica que a pesar de las múltiples gestiones\r\nrealizadas, por medio del oficio SCM-608-2009\r\nde 18 de noviembre de 2009 la señora Eithel Hidalgo\r\nMéndez, secretaria del Concejo Municipal, envió al Alcalde Municipal, la transcripción del Acuerdo ACM-06-185-09,\r\nsesión ordinaria número 185, Cap. IV,\r\nartículo 06 celebrada el 16 de noviembre de 2009, en el cual se indicó \"Se\r\nacuerda por unanimidad trasladar la nota de los vecinos de la Urbanización Los\r\nPalmares al señor Alcalde a fin de que la analice y ver su se puede incluir\r\ndentro de la lista de caminos por reparar\"(sic). Añade que el 21 de\r\nnoviembre de 2009, envió al Alcalde una nota en donde le solicitó una solución\r\nal problema en un corto plazo. No obstante, hasta el momento aún no ha recibido\r\nuna respuesta a su gestión. Solicita el recurrente que se declare con lugar el\r\nrecurso. \n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n2.- Mediante resolución de\r\nlas 7:09 hrs. del 16 de febrero de 2010 se dio curso al proceso y se\r\nsolicitó informes a las autoridades recurridas (ver folios 10-11). \n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n3.- Informó bajo juramento\r\nLuis Carlos Castillo Pacheco en su condición de Alcalde y Maynor\r\nSolórzano Sancho en su condición de Presidente del Concejo, ambos de la\r\nMunicipalidad de Palmares (folio 22), que efectivamente el recurrente ha\r\npresentado varias gestiones ante la Municipalidad de Palmares, las que fueron\r\nrecibidas el 18 de noviembre de 2009. En la planificación de los proyectos a\r\nejecutar en el año 2010, se incluyó el la reparación de la calle que el\r\nrecurrente denunció. Adicionalmente indicó que la calle no ha sido reparada por\r\nfalta de materia prima, la cual están gestionando. Solicitan que se desestime\r\nel recurso planteado.\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n4.- En la substanciación\r\ndel proceso se ha observado las prescripciones legales.\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRedacta el Magistrado Jinesta\r\nLobo; y, \n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nCONSIDERANDO:\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nI.- OBJETO DEL\r\nRECURSO. El\r\nrecurrente acude ante esta jurisdicción en resguardo de sus derechos\r\nfundamentales, por cuanto acusa que ha gestionado ante la Municipalidad de\r\nPalmares para la reparación de las calles del Residencia l l os Palmares, ubicado en\r\nel barrio El Colegio. El recurrente manifiesta que a la fecha de interposición\r\ndel recurso no ha recibido respuesta a sus pedimentos.\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nII.- HECHOS PROBADOS.\r\nDe importancia para la decisión de este asunto, se estiman como debidamente\r\ndemostrados los siguientes hechos: 1) Desde fecha indeterminada, las\r\ncalles del Residencia l l os Palmares, ubicado en el barrio El Colegio , se encuentran en mal\r\nestado (hecho no controvertido). 2) El 18 de noviembre de 2009,\r\nel recurrente solicitó a la Municipalidad de Palmares la reparación de las\r\ncalles del Residencia l l os Palmares, ubicado en el barrio El Colegio\r\n(informe a folio 22). \n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nIII.- HECHO INDEMOSTRADO. De importancia para la decisión de este amparo\r\nse tiene por indemostrado el siguiente: ÚNICO.- \r\nQue a la fecha, el Municipio accionado haya resuelto la denuncia del\r\nrecurrente. \n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nIV.- SOBRE EL FONDO. Del sub lite se desprende, que varios vecinos del\r\nResidencial Los Palmares, ubicado en el barrio El Colegio, denunciaron ante la\r\nMunicipalidad de Palmares, el mal estado de las carreteras en ese lugar. Las\r\nautoridades municipales accionadas, indicaron en su informe, que resolverían el\r\nproblema planteado y que han agregado la calle indicada a la lista de\r\nreparaciones del municipio. No obstante, según se constata, a la fecha, no se\r\nhan iniciado las reparaciones en las calles indicadas. Considera este Tribunal\r\nque la omisión en la reparación y mantenimiento de las carreteras, por parte de las\r\nautoridades recurridas, configura una lesión al derecho fundamental al buen\r\nfuncionamiento de los servicios públicos y representa un quebranto a la\r\nobligación constitucional encomendada a las Municipalidades de velar por la\r\nadministración de los intereses y servicios locales del cantón, en este caso\r\nparticular, en cuanto al mantenimiento de la red vial cantonal. Recuérdese que,\r\nde acuerdo con lo dispuesto en el artículo 1° de la Ley General de Caminos\r\nPúblicos, No. 5060 del 22 de agosto de 1972, la administración de la red vial\r\ncantonal corresponde a las municipalidades. No obstante, aún cuando el artículo\r\n2 de la ley de cita, establece que las carreteras y caminos públicos,\r\núnicamente, podrán ser construidos y mejorados por el Ministro de Obras\r\nPúblicas y Transportes, en el párrafo segundo de esa misma norma, se dispone\r\nque, con previa autorización de ese Ministerio, las municipalidades y las\r\ninstituciones descentralizadas del Estado, cuyas funciones están relacionadas\r\ncon la construcción de vías públicas, pueden ejecutarlas directamente o a\r\ntravés de terceros. Este Tribunal, en ocasiones anteriores, ha reconocido que\r\nel mantenimiento y reparación de las vías públicas municipales debe ser una labor\r\ncoordinada entre el Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes y las propias\r\nmunicipalidades, según se desprende de la relación del artículo 2 de la Ley\r\nGeneral de Caminos Públicos y el inciso a), artículo 2 de la Ley de Creación\r\ndel Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (ver en ese sentido, el Voto No.\r\n 5445- 99 de las 14:30 horas del 14 de julio de 1999). Asimismo,\r\nel inciso b), artículo 5, de la Ley No. 8114, Ley de Simplificación y\r\nEficiencia Tributarias, destina el 25% de los recursos a las municipalidades\r\npara la conservación, el mantenimiento rutinario y periódico, el mejoramiento y\r\nla rehabilitación de la red vial cantonal. De ahí que, al asignárseles\r\ndirectamente, esos recursos a las municipalidades, resulta evidente su\r\ncompetencia sobre el mantenimiento de la red vial cantonal. Así las cosas, lo\r\nprocedente es estimar el presente recurso.\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nPOR TANTO:\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nSe declara con lugar el recurso. Se le ordena a\r\nLuis Carlos Castillo Pacheco en su condición de Alcalde y a Maynor\r\nSolórzano Sancho en su condición de Presidente del Concejo, ambos de la\r\nMunicipalidad de Palmares, o a quienes ejerzan su cargo, que realicen todas las\r\nactuaciones que estén dentro del ámbito de sus atribuciones y coordinen con las\r\ndependencias competentes, para que, en el plazo de TRES MESES, contado a\r\npartir de la notificación de esta sentencia, procedan a la reparación\r\nde las carreteras del Residencial Los Palmares, ubicado en barrio El Colegio. Se\r\nles advierte a los recurridos que de conformidad con lo establecido en el\r\nartículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de\r\ntres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una\r\norden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la\r\ncumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente\r\npenado. Se condena a la Municipalidad de\r\nPalmares al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que\r\nsirven de fundamento a esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de\r\nsentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. Notifíquese a Luis Carlos Castillo\r\nPacheco en su condición de Alcalde y Maynor Solórzano\r\nSancho en su condición de Presidente del Concejo, ambos de la Municipalidad de\r\nPalmares, o a quienes ejerzan su cargo en FORMA PERSONAL. COMUNÍQUESE.-\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nGilbert Armijo S. \n\r\n\r\n\nPresidente a.i.\n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n Ernesto\r\nJinesta L. Fernando\r\nCruz C. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n Fernando\r\nCastillo V. Aracelly Pacheco S. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n Roxana Salazar C. Ricardo\r\nGuerrero P.", "body_en_text": "Exp: 10-002386-0007-CO\n\nRes. No. 2010005412\n\nCONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at ten hours and twenty-seven minutes of the nineteenth of March, two thousand ten.\n\nAmparo action filed by CESAR ENRIQUE QUIRÓS MORA, identity card 0105750012, against the MUNICIPALITY OF PALMARES.\n\nWHEREAS:\n\n1.- By a writing received in the Secretariat of the Chamber at 14:10 hrs. on February 16, 2010, the petitioner files an amparo action against the Municipality of Palmares and states that since January 2009, he has requested, together with a group of neighbors of the Urbanización Los Palmares, located approximately 400 meters from the center of Palmares, the repair of the streets of said urbanization, which are in terrible condition since no type of maintenance has been provided. He states that said roadways lack the asphalt layer, becoming a gravel (lastre) road, \"full of potholes.\" He indicates that despite multiple efforts made, by means of official communication SCM-608-2009 of November 18, 2009, Mrs. Eithel Hidalgo Méndez, secretary of the Municipal Council, sent to the Municipal Mayor the transcription of Agreement ACM-06-185-09, ordinary session number 185, Chapter IV, article 06 held on November 16, 2009, in which it was indicated: \"It is unanimously agreed to forward the note from the neighbors of Urbanización Los Palmares to the Mayor so that he may analyze it and see if it can be included in the list of roads to repair\" (sic). He adds that on November 21, 2009, he sent the Mayor a note requesting a short-term solution to the problem. However, to date, he has not yet received a response to his request. The petitioner requests that the action be granted.\n\n2.- By resolution at 7:09 hrs. on February 16, 2010, the proceeding was admitted and reports were requested from the respondent authorities (see folios 10-11).\n\n3.- Luis Carlos Castillo Pacheco, in his capacity as Mayor, and Maynor Solórzano Sancho, in his capacity as President of the Council, both of the Municipality of Palmares, reported under oath (folio 22) that the petitioner has indeed submitted several requests before the Municipality of Palmares, which were received on November 18, 2009. In the planning of projects to be executed in 2010, the repair of the street that the petitioner reported was included. Additionally, they indicated that the street has not been repaired due to a lack of raw material, which they are currently procuring. They request that the action filed be dismissed.\n\n4.- In the processing of the proceeding, the legal requirements have been observed.\n\nDrafted by Magistrate Jinesta Lobo; and,\n\nWHEREAS:\n\nI.- SUBJECT OF THE ACTION. The petitioner comes before this jurisdiction in protection of his fundamental rights, alleging that he has requested the Municipality of Palmares to repair the streets of the Los Palmares residential development (Residencial Los Palmares), located in the El Colegio neighborhood. The petitioner states that as of the date of filing the action, he has not received a response to his requests.\n\nII.- PROVEN FACTS. Of importance for the decision of this matter, the following facts are deemed duly proven: 1) For an indeterminate period, the streets of the Los Palmares residential development (Residencial Los Palmares), located in the El Colegio neighborhood, have been in poor condition (uncontested fact). 2) On November 18, 2009, the petitioner requested the Municipality of Palmares to repair the streets of the Los Palmares residential development (Residencial Los Palmares), located in the El Colegio neighborhood (report at folio 22).\n\nIII.- UNPROVEN FACT. Of importance for the decision of this amparo, the following is considered unproven: SOLE FACT.- That to date, the respondent Municipality has resolved the petitioner's complaint.\n\nIV.- ON THE MERITS. It follows from the sub lite that several neighbors of the Los Palmares residential development (Residencial Los Palmares), located in the El Colegio neighborhood, reported to the Municipality of Palmares the poor condition of the roads in that place. The respondent municipal authorities indicated in their report that they would resolve the problem raised and that they have added the indicated street to the municipality's list of repairs. However, as verified, repairs on the indicated streets have not yet begun. This Court considers that the omission in the repair and maintenance of the roads by the respondent authorities constitutes an injury to the fundamental right to the proper functioning of public services and represents a breach of the constitutional obligation entrusted to the Municipalities to oversee the administration of the local interests and services of the canton, in this particular case, regarding the maintenance of the cantonal road network. It should be recalled that, in accordance with the provisions of article 1 of the General Law of Public Roads (Ley General de Caminos Públicos), No. 5060 of August 22, 1972, the administration of the cantonal road network corresponds to the municipalities. However, even though article 2 of the cited law establishes that public roads and highways may only be constructed and improved by the Minister of Public Works and Transport (Ministro de Obras Públicas y Transportes, MOPT), in the second paragraph of that same norm, it is provided that, with prior authorization from that Ministry, the municipalities and decentralized State institutions, whose functions are related to the construction of public roads, may execute them directly or through third parties. This Court, on previous occasions, has recognized that the maintenance and repair of municipal public roads must be a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) and the municipalities themselves, as derived from the relationship of article 2 of the General Law of Public Roads (Ley General de Caminos Públicos) and subsection a), article 2 of the Law Creating the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Ley de Creación del Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes) (see in this regard, Voto No. 5445- 99 at 14:30 hours on July 14, 1999). Likewise, subsection b), article 5, of Law No. 8114, Law of Tax Simplification and Efficiency (Ley de Simplificación y Eficiencia Tributarias), allocates 25% of the resources to the municipalities for the conservation, routine and periodic maintenance, improvement, and rehabilitation of the cantonal road network. Hence, by directly allocating these resources to the municipalities, their competence over the maintenance of the cantonal road network is evident. As matters stand, it is appropriate to grant this action.\n\nTHEREFORE:\n\nThe action is granted. Luis Carlos Castillo Pacheco, in his capacity as Mayor, and Maynor Solórzano Sancho, in his capacity as President of the Council, both of the Municipality of Palmares, or whomever holds their positions, are ordered to carry out all actions within the scope of their powers and coordinate with the competent bodies, so that, within a period of THREE MONTHS, counted from the notification of this judgment, they proceed to repair the roads of the Los Palmares residential development (Residencial Los Palmares), located in the El Colegio neighborhood. The respondents are warned that, in accordance with the provisions of article 71 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), 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 fulfilled or enforced, issued in an amparo action, and fails to comply with it or fails to have it complied with, provided the offense is not more severely punished. The Municipality of Palmares is condemned to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts that serve as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the execution of the judgment in the contentious-administrative jurisdiction. Notify Luis Carlos Castillo Pacheco, in his capacity as Mayor, and Maynor Solórzano Sancho, in his capacity as President of the Council, both of the Municipality of Palmares, or whomever holds their positions, PERSONALLY. COMMUNICATE.-\n\nGilbert Armijo S.\nActing President\n\nErnesto Jinesta L. Fernando Cruz C.\n\nFernando Castillo V. Aracelly Pacheco S.\n\nRoxana Salazar C. Ricardo Guerrero P.\n\nThe Municipality of Palmares is ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the acts serving as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the enforcement of judgment phase of the administrative contentious proceeding. Notify Luis Carlos Castillo Pacheco in his capacity as Mayor and Maynor Solórzano Sancho in his capacity as Council President, both of the Municipality of Palmares, or whoever holds their office, IN PERSON. LET IT BE COMMUNICATED.-\n\nGilbert Armijo S.\n\nPresident a.i.\n\nErnesto Jinesta L. Fernando Cruz C.\n\nFernando Castillo V. Aracelly Pacheco S.\n\nRoxana Salazar C. Ricardo Guerrero P.\n\nThey request that the appeal be dismissed.\n\n**4.-** In the processing of the case, the legal requirements have been observed.\n\nDrafted by Magistrate **Jinesta Lobo**; and,\n\n**CONSIDERING:**\n\n**I.- OBJECT OF THE APPEAL.** The appellant comes before this jurisdiction in protection of his fundamental rights, alleging that he has petitioned the Municipality of Palmares for the repair of the streets in Residencial los Palmares, located in the El Colegio neighborhood. The appellant states that as of the date of filing the appeal, he has not received a response to his requests.\n\n**II.- PROVEN FACTS.** Of importance for the decision in this matter, the following facts are deemed duly proven: **1)** For an undetermined period, the streets of Residencial los Palmares, located in the El Colegio neighborhood, have been in poor condition (uncontested fact). **2)** On **November 18, 2009**, the appellant requested that the Municipality of Palmares repair the streets of Residencial los Palmares, located in the El Colegio neighborhood (report on folio 22).\n\n**III.- UNPROVEN FACT.** Of importance for the decision in this amparo, the following is considered unproven: **ONLY.-** That to date, the respondent Municipality has resolved the appellant's complaint.\n\n**IV.- ON THE MERITS.** From the *sub lite*, it is clear that several residents of Residencial Los Palmares, located in the El Colegio neighborhood, reported the poor condition of the roads in that place to the Municipality of Palmares. The respondent municipal authorities indicated in their report that they would resolve the problem raised and that they have added the indicated street to the municipality's repair list. However, as verified, to date, repairs on the indicated streets have not begun. This Tribunal considers that the omission in the repair and maintenance of the roads by the respondent authorities constitutes a violation of the fundamental right to the proper functioning of public services and represents a breach of the constitutional obligation entrusted to the Municipalities to oversee the administration of the local interests and services of the canton, in this particular case, regarding the maintenance of the cantonal road network. It should be remembered that, in accordance with the provisions of Article 1 of the General Law of Public Roads (Ley General de Caminos Públicos), No. 5060 of August 22, 1972, the administration of the cantonal road network corresponds to the municipalities. However, even though Article 2 of the cited law establishes that public roads and highways may only be built and improved by the Minister of Public Works and Transport (Ministro de Obras Públicas y Transportes), the second paragraph of that same norm provides that, with prior authorization from that Ministry, the municipalities and decentralized State institutions whose functions are related to the construction of public roads may execute them directly or through third parties. This Tribunal, on previous occasions, has recognized that the maintenance and repair of municipal public roads must be a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, MOPT) and the municipalities themselves, as derived from the relationship between Article 2 of the General Law of Public Roads and subsection a) of Article 2 of the Law Creating the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Ley de Creación del Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes) (see in that regard, Voto No. 5445-99 at 14:30 hours on July 14, 1999). Likewise, subsection b) of Article 5 of Law No. 8114, the Law of Tax Simplification and Efficiency (Ley de Simplificación y Eficiencia Tributarias), allocates 25% of the resources to the municipalities for the conservation, routine and periodic maintenance, improvement, and rehabilitation of the cantonal road network. Hence, by directly assigning these resources to the municipalities, their competence over the maintenance of the cantonal road network is evident. Therefore, the appropriate course of action is to grant this appeal.\n\n**POR TANTO:**\n\nThe appeal is granted. Luis Carlos Castillo Pacheco, in his capacity as Mayor, and Maynor Solórzano Sancho, in his capacity as President of the Council, both of the Municipality of Palmares, or whoever holds their positions, are ordered to carry out all actions within the scope of their powers and coordinate with the competent offices, so that, within a period of **THREE MONTHS**, counted from the notification of this judgment, they proceed with the repair of the roads in Residencial Los Palmares, located in the El Colegio neighborhood. The respondents are warned that in accordance with the provisions of Article 71 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), a penalty of imprisonment from 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 does not comply with it or does not enforce it, provided that the offense is not more severely penalized. The Municipality of Palmares is ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts serving as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the execution of the judgment in the contentious-administrative proceeding. Notify Luis Carlos Castillo Pacheco, in his capacity as Mayor, and Maynor Solórzano Sancho, in his capacity as President of the Council, both of the Municipality of Palmares, or whoever holds their positions, **PERSONALLY**. **COMUNÍQUESE.-**\n\n\n\nGilbert Armijo S.\n\nPresidente a.i.\n\n\n\nErnesto Jinesta L. Fernando Cruz C.\n\n\n\nFernando Castillo V. Aracelly Pacheco S.\n\n\n\nRoxana Salazar C. Ricardo Guerrero P." }