Ampa Oriol announces mobilisations after new delay in rehabilitation of Orihuela’s former asylum
- Ampa Oriol (parents and relatives association) will start protests over further delays to convert the former asylum into a residence for users of the Centro Ocupacional Oriol.
- The project was promised after the 2019 Dana floods left the Centro Ocupacional and the Oriol residence unusable; 70 users and families remain affected.
- the Generalitat Valenciana had allocated €2 million for the rehabilitation, but recent meetings revealed technical-legal problems that force a fresh start of the bidding process.
- Authorities estimate 6-8 months to adjudicate contracts plus two years for execution – moving a possible transfer to late 2028.
- Ampa welcomes the municipal government’s near-completion of rehabilitation work at the Palmeral occupational center, but raises concerns about catering services, equipment and furniture.
Orihuela,Spain – After repeated meetings with the Generalitat Valenciana and rising frustration over missed deadlines,the parents-and-relatives association Ampa Oriol has announced it will begin a series of protests and public actions to denounce a fresh delay in the rehabilitation of the former asylum that was purchased to become the town’s residence for users of the Centro Ocupacional oriol.
Why families are mobilising
Six years have passed since a Dana (intense storm) in 2019 flooded and rendered the Centro Ocupacional and the Oriol residence in palmeral unusable. The association – which represents around 70 users and their families – says they have repeatedly demanded “respect and dignity” and urgent action from the administrations responsible for repairing and re-opening the facilities.
In a meeting six months ago, on 25 March 2025, Ampa Oriol described the meeting with the Generalitat as constructive yet marked by resignation: officials confirmed that the Generalitat had included a €2 million budget line in its accounts and that the funds would come from the regional government’s own resources. At the time the Generalitat indicated the bidding for works could start in mid-May, with contract awards in september or October.
“Details blackout” and new explanations
after that March meeting, the association reports there was an “incomprehensible information blackout.” Repeated attempts to obtain updates failed, and only after contacting the Conselleria de Servicios Sociales’ Territorial Directorate in Alicante was a meeting arranged at the regional secretariat last Friday.
That meeting, Ampa Oriol says, “could not have been more disappointing.” The generalitat explained that technical-legal problems mean the management must now begin the tender process from scratch. officials estimate:
- 6-8 months to complete the bidding and adjudication stage
- an additional two years for the actual execution of the works
Under these timelines, the move into the former asylum - acquired by the previous regional government three years ago – would not take place before late 2028. For Ampa Oriol, that would mean nine years since the Dana and six years since the property purchase – a delay they call “unacceptable and degrading” for users and families.
What Ampa Oriol is demanding
The association has warned it will not tolerate further unexplained delays and has pledged to stage actions of protest and public complaint. They have not yet specified dates or the form these mobilisations will take but insist they will intervene if they detect “unjustified or unacceptable delays or incidents.”
Key demands likely to appear in protests
- Clear, published timeline with binding milestones for bidding, adjudication and works
- Faster, prioritized processing of technical-legal obstacles
- Interim solutions to improve dignity and services for the 70 users still affected
- Transparency and regular public updates from the Generalitat
State of the Centro Ocupacional Oriol and municipal progress
the Centro Ocupacional Oriol – another facility badly damaged in the 2019 floods – still hosts its 40 users at the La Aparecida civic centre while waiting to move to newly rehabilitated premises in Palmeral. Here Ampa Oriol praised Orihuela’s town hall and the mayor, Pepe Vegara, along with councillors Matías Ruiz (Urban Planning) and Agustina Rodríguez (Social Welfare), noting that the municipal rehabilitation works are practically finished.
Though, the association says critically important operational aspects remain unresolved:
- Planning and provision of catering (meal service)
- Supply of necesary equipment and furniture
- Final checks and formalities for the transfer
Ampa plans to meet the municipal team next Friday to press for details on how and when the dining service and full operational setup will be guaranteed.
Timeline at a glance
| When | What |
|---|---|
| September 2019 | dana floods heavily damage Centro Ocupacional and Oriol residence |
| 201? (three years before 2025) | Regional government purchases former Orihuela asylum for conversion into residence |
| 25 March 2025 | Ampa meets Generalitat; told €2M allocated and bidding could begin in May |
| sept 2025 | New meeting – Generalitat cites technical-legal problems; new timeline pushes completion toward late 2028 |
why this matters: users, families and services
The long delay affects quality of life, continuity of care and dignity for dozens of people with disabilities and their families. Ampa Oriol stresses that repeated postponements compound the emotional and practical burden on users, relatives and carers, who have been living with provisional arrangements for years.
Possible local and regional implications
- Political pressure on the Generalitat to accelerate administration procedures and clear legal-technical obstacles
- Potential public mobilisations that could draw wider community support in Orihuela and the Vega baja region
- Increased scrutiny of budget execution and transparency for the allocated €2 million
What to watch next
- Ampa Oriol’s announcement of protest dates and the form of mobilisation.
- Any new response or timetable from the Generalitat Valenciana and the Conselleria de Servicios Sociales.
- Municipal actions after the Friday meeting regarding catering, equipment and the final transfer of the Centro ocupacional Oriol.
Contact and further information
Residents and families seeking updates should follow announcements from Ampa Oriol and official communications from the Generalitat Valenciana and Orihuela town hall.
Source and credits: Reporting based on la Verdad – A. T., Orihuela, 22 September 2025.
La Verdad – Ampa Centro Oriol announces mobilisations after delay (22/09/2025)