Bachelet travels south to check on progress of emergency measures

SANTIAGO.- President Michelle Bachelet is scheduled to make a visit, which was not previously released to the press, to the south of the country today.  The surprise trip will begin at 10:00 AM, allowing the President to arrive in Puerto Montt this afternoon, where she will meet with the minister in charge of emergency measures in Chaitén, Jose Goñi, and the governor of Los Lagos, Sergio Galilea.

At the meeting, which has been fixed for 4:30 PM, the Head of State will check on the progress of emergency measures that have been adopted following the eruption of the Chaitén volcano.  According to reports, the President will remain in the area at least until tomorrow (Saturday).

This is her second trip this week to the region stricken by the volcanic eruption. Last Saturday, one day after having been informed of the gravity of the situation, Bachelet traveled to the province of Palena to witness from the ground the severe conditions being faced by local families

Before arriving in the capital city of the Los Lagos Region, the President will visit Temuco to sign a law proposal amending the constitutional organic law concerning regional government and administration.