Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday reported today that 1,667 municipalities across the country have put the previously announced sum of money —authorized for the acquisition and delivery of foodstuffs of the basic consumption basket to vulnerable families in conditions of poverty and extreme poverty— into their institutional accounts.
According to the Head of State, this means the aforementioned provincial and district municipalities have inserted around S/196 million (around US$56.9 million) into their budget. Only 207 municipalities need to go through this administrative procedure by now.
He recalled that the Executive Branch has transferred S/213 million (US$61.8 million) to 1,874 municipalities across the country in order to get and deliver foodstuffs and other basic necessities to the neediest families
in the context of the fight against COVID-19.
"As soon as the Government issued the regulation, the money was at the disposal of municipalities. An internal administrative procedure must be carried out because the money, which is already available, must be put into their accounts. That does not depend on the Ministry of Economy and Finance, but on the mayors," he explained.
The statesman admitted that it is understandable that municipalities have not yet begun to distribute the foodstuffs, because they need to conduct a market research to find out how much the basic necessities cost, then purchase them and finally, plan a delivery schedule.
In this respect, he reiterated that local governments have been encouraged to bring the goods to the homes of residents or in a sectoral and orderly manner so as to avoid crowds who disobey social distancing, a measure that is intended to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The top official stressed that this is the municipalities' responsibility and the way they can assume it is by getting to work.
On this occasion, the President is joined by members of the Council of Ministers. The event is held at the Government Palace in Lima.
Wednesday marks the seventeenth day of mandatory social isolation.
(END) LZD/MAO/RMB/MVB