Sylverio

Transcript

Q: What is your name and what is your job?

A: My name is Sylverio Barco Hernandez Rangel and I am an inspector in the commision that is in charge of the reconstruction projects for the government of Mexico city.

Q: Perfect. What is your opinion of the renovation of this building?

A: What opinion do I have? This building is historic, firstly. Its splendid. Its part of our culture. It has different agencies working here. We have a museum that you can visit. Its marvelous. And you can learn a lot here. There are always exhibits.

Q: Have you noted that the building is better?

A: Yes of course. Before the earthquake of 1985, it was very dilapidated. After that they did renovations little by little until it reached the splendor that it has today.

Q: What is it you like most about working in this building?

A: Well, my work proper I don’t do here. My work is in the field. But our center of operations is here. From here we assign the activities we need to do. Working in this building is a privilege. And working in the field, helping communities to rebuild, and with whatever else is needed, is not work -- it is a blessing for me.

Q: Is there something else we ought to know about the building?

A: I already let you know. That its a historic building, that we have a museum, that constantly offers exhibits. That the people that work here, the majority, they we are very cordial, and respectful. There are still exceptions, but well, in general terms, the majority are very respectful.

Q: Last question. Why is everyone here today? Is it a special day?

A: No. No, no, no. We always have a lot of people here. Like I mentioned before, we have a lot of government agencies. Aha. And the people who come to visit come for a variety of reasons, some to visit the court agencies, others the reconstruction agencies, the technical agencies, aha, or directly to the head of government. They go for meetings, often to the rooms that hold those events. So there are always people here. It’s not a special day.

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Q: Why were there fewer people here yesterday?

A: You were here yesterday? Did you see all the trucks? There was a demonstration yesterday of truck drivers. They are asking for a series of measures of support from the government.  That they don’t raise gas prices, that they take care of the roads because the truckers get jumped, blah blah blah. Then when this happens, they block the street, and its hard to get here. Obviously people say “I’ll come tomorrow”. Then only the people who are willing to face those inconveniences are the ones who come. In general terms, the demonstrations impose themselves on people. They limit access to the entrances, or to the building. People don’t want to get in a fight or in trouble with the demonstrators  - so they don’t come.

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