Guatemala: No More Public Works For NGOs

According to an article in El Mundo "Perez Molina announced that Pavel Centeno, who is his finance minister, has instructions to repeal the Ministerial Agreement from 2007 authorizing the implementation of projects assigned to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). 'We agreed with the economic cabinet members that NGO’s will not be able to carry out building works. '"

The allocation of funds to NGOs to develop public infrastructure projects, has not had the desired effect, and, as the president-elect said, "Many NGOs were formed just to get the work, and many of these works were not built, many were half built and others were of poor quality."

According to El Periódico, in the draft budget for 2012, being discusses by Congress, "only the Communications department is planning to transfer to these NGOs about $27.82 million. The leftist lawmaker Nineth Montenegro, reported that in 2012 at least $256,41 million would be transferred to NGOs. "

Source: elmundo.com.sv

More on this topic

Guatemalan NGOs Won’t Execute Public Works

April 2010

The Government announced it will not use Non-governmental Organizations for developing public infrastructure or supplying materials.

This is part of a series of actions taken by authorities to increase transparency in public spending, which also includes creating a citizen watchdog and controlling public works executed by municipalities and development councils.

Guatemala: More Controls for Trusteeships

September 2010

Included in 2011's proposed budget are mechanisms to ensure transparency in the creation of trusts.

Standards are also established for the signing of agreements with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Finance Minister, Édgar Balsells, told Sigloxxi.com that, "the aim is to make the use of public resources more transparent.

Guatemala: 8 Thousand NGOs to Provide Financial Information

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About 8 Thousand NGOs that manage state funds must provide data on their financial statements.

Next Tuesday, the Law on Free Access to Public Information will come into force and it will force these non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to give information to the citizenry if it is requested.

Decisions of the Constitutional Court in El Salvador

June 2011

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for a repeal of the decree requiring unanimity in the decisions of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court.

The statement from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador reads:

“House asks Legislature to repeal Decree 743