El Salvador’s Plenary Approves 2023 General State Budget. #Presupuesto2023 prioritizes investments in Education, Health, Security and Infrastructure.
Public investment for the next year totals $1,739.0 million, which exceeds that of 2022 by $45 million. The investment seeks to promote continuity with the economic growth of the country.
Tax revenues are projected to be $6,390.3 million, with an increase of $184.7 million (3.0%), and an emphasis on tax evasion and smuggling.
“Guaranteeing the well-being of Salvadorans and ensuring public investment in a responsible manner are part of the purposes of the deputies of the Legislative Assembly,”
Asamblea Legislativa, Gobierno El Salvador
The Legislative Assembly approved the General State Budget Law with 67 votes. The Legislative Plenary, which according to Article 131 of the Constitution of El Salvador corresponds to the public administration budget, endorsed in session number 88 -the last of the year- the amount assigned for 2023, which totals $8,902.7 million; a growth that amounts to $268.0 million, compared to 2022, an equivalent of 3.2% year-on-year growth.
The legislators also authorized, with 62 votes, that the Executive manage resources up to $1,139,394,210.00, through the issuance of Credit Securities to be placed indistinctly in the National or International Market.
In addition, the budget gap is estimated at $472.4 million, which is $26.0 million less in relation to the 2022 budget gap of $498.4 million.
No hay que olvidar de qué país venimos y el país que estamos construyendo.
¿Dónde está el desarrollo que nos dejaron ARENA y el FMLN? pic.twitter.com/BztmHfR4uN
— Christian Guevara ?? (@ChrisGuevaraG) December 23, 2022
“ARENA and the FMLN had almost $100 billion in 30 years. In 20 years, ARENA used 45% of those funds, but the FMLN, in 10 years, used 55%. Where is the progress that they left us?, ” The head of the Nuevas Ideas fraction, deputy Christian Guevara, questioned in his speech.
The president of the Finance Commission assured: “We are going to approve this budget, with the guarantee that no dollar will be for briefcases or bonuses or to buy governance or for front NGOs.”
Ni un solo dólar para esas ONG fachadas. ? pic.twitter.com/8pGbmzzXGu
— Christian Guevara ?? (@ChrisGuevaraG) December 23, 2022
Regarding this, parliamentarian William Soriano commented: “We are showing that things can be done when money is not stolen. We are one of the countries with the best tax collection within the region and these funds are invested in the people.”
Entre ARENA y FMLN tuvieron $88,000 millones en presupuestos en 30 años.
¿Había seguridad? ¿Qué hicieron con ese dinero?
Hoy aprobaremos al Presidente @nayibbukele su presupuesto de Gobierno. pic.twitter.com/e7nm0dDofl
— William Soriano ?? (@WilliamSorianoH) December 23, 2022
The Salvadoran Government emphasizes public investment, education, health, and security. The budget for the Ministry of Education will have an allocation of $1,501.8 million; while Public Health $1,131.2 million. In addition, Public Works will obtain $679.0 million and between the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Defense add another $838.7 million.
“The Salvadoran Government prioritizes public investment, education, health, and security.”
Asamblea del Gobierno de El Salvador
These amounts will be invested in more and better schools, reducing the digital divide, improving hospital infrastructure and quality basic services, without neglecting care programs for vulnerable sectors, or improvements of road infrastructure, strategic projects and citizen security.
“This is the budget that undoubtedly takes another step towards El Salvador that we deserve and that in the past was denied. You will have access to a comprehensive health system, roads in good condition, the safety of the inhabitants is guaranteed and, in the end, these changes promote tourism,” said parliamentarian Marcela Pineda.
Dejamos el pasado, en dónde la prioridad al aprobar un presupuesto eran los sobresueldos y las partidas secretas.
Estamos legislando a favor de la población; la seguridad, bienestar, salud, educación y cultura son algunos de los pilares fundamentales de este #Presupuesto2023 pic.twitter.com/RYzaTJqApK
— Marcela Pineda ?? (@MarcelaPinedaSV) December 23, 2022
The Legislative Assembly stated that this budget will serve to continue paying off historical debts.
“The objective of this budget is to increase and promote development and opportunities for all Salvadorans, through security, education and health; the strategic axes that the Government of President Nayib Bukele works on,” said legislator Suecy Callejas.
En el pleno se discute la aprobación del #Presupuesto2023.
Seguimos apostando por seguridad, educación y salud para la población salvadoreña. pic.twitter.com/zflIOKa61r
— Suecy Callejas Estrada (@suecallejas) December 22, 2022
It is projected that by 2023, tax revenues will be $6,390.3 million, with an increase of $184.7 million (3.0%), with an emphasis on tax evasion and smuggling.
In his speech, Deputy Raúl Castillo expressed support for President Nayib Bukele’s leadership stating that Bukele continues to change the course of the country, thanks to the strategies he implements.
Estos son los ejes principales del #Presupuesto2023: ??
? Mayor inversión en Educación.
? Mayor inversión en Salud.
? Mayor inversión en Seguridad y Defensa.
? Mayor inversión en Infraestructura.Seguimos construyendo un mejor El Salvador. ??
— Raúl Castillo ?? (@raulncastillo) December 23, 2022
“In the past, this budget was discussed and analyzed by the legislative factions and it was not a healthy debate. In the past, they negotiated the budget with the Executive, until President Bukele arrived to put the house in order,” said legislator Castillo.
Investment Priority Axes
Education
The budget for the Education portfolio contemplates $39.4 million for the National Council for Early Childhood, Childhood and Adolescence, an institution created in the context of the Grow Together Law for the Comprehensive Protection of Early Childhood; Childhood and adolescence. Plans include providing an improvement in the quality of life of minors, from before their birth.
To develop the Early Childhood Program, $370.3 million have been allocated, which will be distributed between the Grow and Learn Together program (Comprehensive Early Childhood Development in El Salvador), which will have $115.0 million, and the Quality Improvement Program and Educational Coverage: Born, Grow and Learn, will have $23.9 million.
In addition, for the Improvement of Educational Environments for Comprehensive Training and Learning at the National Level, $91.7 million have been allocated; $89.3 million for Mi Nueva Escuela and $50.4 million for the Reduction of the Digital Divide in Schools.
Health
In next year’s budget, resources have been programmed for the acquisition of 100% of medicines and medical supplies for the hospital network, regional health and FOSALUD with $182.7 million. The assembly anticipates that the improvements will lead Salvadorans toward the enjoyment of a comprehensive health system aimed at being first world.
For the execution of the Growing Healthy Together Program: Comprehensive Early Childhood Development, $47.7 million will be designated; $45.0 million to the Integrated Health Program and $60.7 million have been provided to mitigate and control the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nacer con Cariño “El Nido” Maternity Center, will have an allocation of $3.0 million and the Emergency Medical System (SEM) $9.8 million.
Public Works and Infrastructure projects
The Ministry of Public Works, the Road Maintenance Fund (FOVIAL) and the Municipal Works Directorate (DOM) will receive a total of $679.0 million for different projects.
The construction of the Viaduct and Expansion of the Los Chorros Highway will have a value of $65.6 million. For the continuation of the construction of the “Gerardo Barrios” Bypass in San Miguel, $43.4 million have been provided and for the construction of the “General Manuel José Arce” Bridge on the La Hachadura border, in Ahuachapán, $13.3 million have been included.
National Sports Institute
In 2023, El Salvador will host the Central American and Caribbean Games. In preparation, remodeling and improving the sports infrastructure at the national level will be underway. For that, $25 million has been allocated.
Strategic bets for 2023
•The Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS) needs $10.0 million for the construction and equipment of the ISSS Maternal and Child Hospital in San Salvador.
•The draft budget of the Salvadoran Water Authority is incorporated for $17.4 million.
•The Animal Welfare Institute (IBA) will have an allocation of $5.0 million.
•For the introduction of potable water and construction of water treatment plants in Surf City, $1.0 million has been allocated.
•$7.5 million are earmarked for the expansion of the parking lot and the improvement of the electrical infrastructure of the International Airport of El Salvador.
•For the renewal of the monitoring networks of the National Observatory of Threats and Natural Resources, $1.2 million is included.
•The Ministry of Housing will have $6.4 million to continue rescuing the housing function in the Historic Center of San Salvador through the implementation of mutual aid housing cooperatives.
•In addition, $6.7 million will be incorporated for the construction of housing projects, construction and provision of social housing, and improvement of housing for low-income families, including the comprehensive improvement of precarious urban settlements.
Finalizamos la #Plenaria88 ?
Un gran equipo ??? pic.twitter.com/vbsCNxWePK
— Elisa Rosales (@Elisa_Rosalesv) December 23, 2022
To learn more about #Presupuesto2023 visit: Asamblea Gobierno El Salvador
You can also find more information on #Plenaria88 and #LaNuevaAsamblea on Twitter.
Also check out the web pages of the Gobierno de El Salvador, including the Ministerios which maintain up to date, informative news, updates and photography, keeping the public in the know of the latest projects and programs in progress.
Soledad Quartucci | Founder
Dr. Soledad Quartucci founded Latina Republic in 2015. The company envisions a world where Latin American countries are seen as partners, and immigrants and refugees don’t have to live in the shadows. Latina Republic is a digital content company that highlights local Latin American perspectives that don’t make it into mainstream news. We feature articles, interviews and reports on conservation efforts, social justice, governance, culture, and tourism. Latina Republic champions equity, diversity, and inclusion, delivering timely communications that prioritize local voices.
