Mercedes, agricultural company, is complicated by utilities and neglection

Agricultural Mercedes abandoned

Three estates in the area of Puente Negro, between Guayaquil-El Triunfo, near Daular (via El Triunfo-Bucay) and San Jacinto (Canar) form the Agricultural Company Mercedes AGM S.A. seized by the Ugedep, which today has troubles for having its installments semi-abandoned, for the delayed payments of utilities to the employees and for been pledged as collateral for the credit granted to Gaston Duzac.

These farms were engaged in the cultivation of oil palm, before being acquired by the  Isaias Dassum brothers, former shareholders of Filanbanco, and are now in the hands of the Management Unit of Public Law (Ugedep). Subsequently, these properties were given as collateral on June 5, 2012, to support the credit of $ 800,000 that Gaston Duzac received from COFIEC Bank, also part of the Ugedep.

However, from the entrance of the place it can be seen that the tall palms are dry or with dead leaves, there are also a few rice plantations. Most workers said the company is “smitten” and are concerned about their future employment because they say that after the departure of Esteban Garzon, in January of 2012, and with the arrival of the “new owners” Melvin Alfredo Azofeifa Vargas and Adolfo Rafael Guerrero Robayo, the farms are neglected and their profits are not being properly paid.