Subsidies for coupons and gasoline are not included in the budget

Digital voucher and fuel subsidy They are not included in the general state budget for 2024. The Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Carlos González, reported this Tuesday.

According to the official, this elimination was included to focus other aid such as liquefied gas subsidies and tax credits that are in place and amount to more than $2 billion.

González added that there are other measures that are recommended, but they will require changes to the law.

In this sense, the deputy minister said, actions have been proposed that include a revision of the payroll, including a plan to reduce the workforce of pensioners working in the public sector.

He added that this revised budget project includes the necessary funds for the construction of the new Oncology Hospital, in the first phase, and the long-awaited Metetí Hospital in the province of Darién.

In addition, the budget allocates for the education sector il 7% of gross domestic product.

Minister Héctor Alexander, for his part, reiterated that the Cabinet Council led by President Laurentino Cortiz approved the changes to the draft general law on the state budget for 2024, with a reduction of $2.064 million, which puts it at $30.690.4 million.

Major cuts include $56.8 million for the National Assembly and $50.0 million for the devolution body.

The cuts also foresee 31.8 million for the Ministry of the Presidency and 4.9 million dollars for the Autonomous University of Chiriquí.

Alexander said the changes in the budget are the product the events of October and November, which had a negative impact on the economy, generating a slowdown and affecting macro-fiscal forecasts.