Antonia Muñoz, as Mayor of Manilva, and Foreigners Delegate for the Union of Western Costa del Sol Municipalities (Mancomunidad), told The Resident that she would like to take this opportunity, firstly to welcome Manilva's foreign residents, and congratulate them for choosing Manilva in which to make their home.

An important aim of this current administration is to encourage the integration of this group, that comprises nationals from a large number of different countries, to make them feel welcome, and to ensure they are fully informed of all the activities and opportunities available, either through the Mayor, any of the other departments at the Town Hall, or the Mancomunidad.

The municipality of Manilva is coping with the current national and global crisis by striving to maintain our residents' quality of life through employment, and infrastructure improvements through municipal investment and without help from other authorities. In this we are making Manilva a desirable place to live for locals and foreigners alike, preserving their lifestyle which is very important, and therefore we seek to obtain for them every resource available, and inform them of these resources. With this in mind we have issued letters regarding social welfare benefits, and are constantly publicising activities such as sports, cultural events, etc. organised by the Town Hall's various departments.

We are also addressing, either  myself personally or through community administrations, the various problems and concerns of the foreign community regarding their property. We are arranging for community presidents or their administration companies to make contact with the Town Hall to seek solutions to some of the issues and problems being experienced. There are a number of mechanisms that can be employed, including grants and contributions from the local authorities towards the cost of these solutions. We want everyone to feel they are benefitting from their life in Manilva, and to be glad that they chose Manilva as their home, as we believe there are not many better places to live. We understand that many foreigners, particularly the British pensioners who are suffering from a poor exchange rate, have seen a reduction in their income, therefore we are doing our best to secure for them any grants and aid that may be available to them, particularly through the Social Welfare department.

There are three groups in particular that are an important part of the community: Firstly those foreign families, whose children are in educated here, and who share the culture provide a strong link across all sections of the community; secondly those foreign businessmen who invest in the local economy by setting up business here. For these there are available, through the council, a number of benefits and grants; and thirdly the elderly, who are perhaps the most vulnerable, and as such need our help and support wherever necessary.

Another subject which we know is of concern to the foreign community is local security. On this topic we have recently had meetings between the local authorities and the Local Police, along with the new Guardia Civil chief,  Antonio Pena, out of which agreement has been reached to ensure that patrols will monitor all local developments, and deal with any unruly groups that have been causing unease in the local population. If you have any particular complaint you must not hesitate to contact us.

Finally I would just like to emphasise the fact that we wish to welcome the foreign community, of all nationalities, as an integral part of Manilva's community, and hope that you are enjoying being a part of it, as this would please me very much.