Chilean president enacts law to create administrative region

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet enacted a law Friday to create an administrative region in the north of Chile and announced a 200,000-dollar investment plan to improve infrastructure in the area.

The enactment of the law to create the Arica-Parinacota region follows the enactment of another piece of legislation on March 16 to create the Los Rios region in central-southern Chile.

Chilean territory will thus be divided into 15 administrative regions with each one under the administration of a high ranking official designated by the central government.

"As of today, we begin a process aimed at making decisions at a closer level, with the people, above all with you, who are so far away from the nation's capital," Bachelet said.

Once the law is officially published, the government will have six months to establish the new administration.

An artistic and cultural show was being staged to celebrate the enactment of the law near de Morro de Arica Friday afternoon with special guests, the Chilean music group "Los Jaivas."

Source: Xinhua