$ 346 million more for local governments

More resources. The pro forma budget for 2017, subject to the approval of the Legislature, envisages an increase of 346 million dollars for the Decentralized Autonomous Governments (GAD). The amount, however, is questioned by local authorities, who demand changes to exploit those resources entirely.

The budget states that this year local governments will be granted 3,207 million dollars. In 2016, however, the value allocated was $ 2,851 million. That is an increase of 11%.

Minister of Economy and Finance Carlos de la Torre says that the increase responds to the tax collection expectations. The Ministry of Finance expects to get revenues of about 16.695 billion dollars.

As the budget grows, De la Torre says, the amount allocated to local governments, universities and other state agencies also increases. (I)