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Peru: Gov't allocated over US$1.5 billion extra to fight COVID-19

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic of Peru

16:41 | Vilcashuaman (Ayacucho region), Jul. 6.

Economy and Finance Minister Waldo Mendoza on Tuesday affirmed that President Francisco Sagasti's administration has allocated more than S/6 billion (above US$1.53 billion), in addition to the budget aimed at meeting the needs generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Government, above what is established in the budget, has spent over S/6 billion so that we can see the light at end of the darkness that the pandemic has meant," Mendoza expressed.

"At this moment, we have around 12 million vaccines, and before the end of the current administration, we will have vaccinated all older adults and almost every citizen aged above 50," he stressed.

The Cabinet member indicated that all these resources were geared towards the acquisition of vaccines, ICU beds, the implementation of oxygen plants, and everything that has been required to combat the pandemic.

"We are leaving an important number of vaccines so that the next government, within a maximum period of four months, can vaccinate all Peruvians," he stressed.

The high-ranking official commented that —once the entire population is vaccinated and hoping that there is no third wave— the nation will be able to return to the normality that it had before.

The Economy and Finance sector's head visited Vilcashuaman with President Francisco Sagasti, as well as Ministers Javier Palacios (Labor) and Oscar Ugarte (Health).

Within this framework, he argued that Vilcashuaman will be able to —once again— welcome the tourists it used to receive, while economic activities will start to normalize, and the country will return to the rhythm of life it had before the pandemic.

"At the beginning of this (Transition and Emergency) Government, we promised to fight the pandemic, and we are fulfilling that. Contagion levels are decreasing, and the vaccination stands at a rate of 200,000 doses per day," he pointed out.

The high-ranking official added that "we also promised clean and transparent elections, and we fulfilled that; besides, we promised to leave the house in order, as well as a growing economy, for the next government."

"The economy is already recovering and growing, and we will continue working during these last three weeks," he concluded.

As is known, President Francisco Sagasti's Transition and Emergency Government is set to leave office on July 28, 2021.

It must be noted that the presidential runoff election winner is yet to be announced by the National Election Board (JNE).

Presidente @FSagasti: Desde el #GobiernoDeTransición hemos demostrado que podemos gobernar bien con honestidad, franqueza y eso dejaremos como principal legado al próximo gobierno. pic.twitter.com/0IuzoOmq56
— Presidencia del Perú ???? (@presidenciaperu) July 6, 2021