The Decentralized Autonomous Governments (GAD)which consists of 221 municipalities, 23 prefectures and 821 parish councils, will receive approximately $3.328 million, or $174 million more than delivered in 2022 ($3.154 million). The figure is the largest budget allocation in history. Within this funding pie, prefectures will receive $898.4 million, municipalities $2,228.4 million, and parish councils $199.7 million.

The advertisement is Minister of Economy and Finance, Pablo Arosemena Marriott, who also pointed out that with these funds prefectures, municipalities and rural parish councils will be able to carry out more public works in their towns to improve the quality of life of the population and further stimulate the micro-economy, thus contributing to the growth of the country.

The territorial equality model is calculated taking into account 21% permanent income and 10% irregular income of the general state budget (PGE), but also the characteristics of each departmental body. The Organic Code of Planning and Public Finance establishes that the Ministry of Economy and Finance checks the budget allocations for GAD every four months, with regard to the effective collection of revenues in PGE.

The Minister also assured that this increase in allocations will allow the GADs to improve their finances and, consequently, they will be able to access higher amounts of financing in the Development Bank of Ecuador to increase the construction of investment projects.

Additionally, Minister Arosemena pointed out that this government also managed to cover the debts of the two previous governments (Rafael Correa and Lenín Moreno) they left it on hold and it went up to 172 million dollars. These debts date back to 2015. He emphasized that it was possible, first by putting the house in order, and then by opening a dialogue that allowed them to determine the payment schedule that will be ready in July next year, he commented.

The main representatives of decentralized autonomous governments were also present at the event. Among them: Lorena Brito, President of the National Council of Rural Parish Governments of Ecuador, Isabel Proaño, Executive Director of Congope and Alex Rojas, Executive Director of AME.

So, Lorena Brito from the parish councils pointed out that currently the sectional governments can have access to powers and resources, which will be translated into works to cover the needs of the residents.

On the other hand, the minister alluded to how he will work with departmental governments that will take office in the coming days. He assured that the responsible work will continue, as before, in which there was no thought about the political position on the distribution of funds. He even commented that he received some calls asking him to advance the funds but he did not do so as it would be unfair to the incoming governments.

At the consultation with the minister about how the execution of the budget of the autonomous governments was seen last year, he indicated that the role of the Ministry is to obtain money, resources, but not to control the execution. In this sense, he said that there is a possibility of improving these executions since, for example, in November 2022, there were still some departmental governments that barely achieved 60% or 65%, that is, they were outside the expected ranges.