The governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, will lead to President Abelardo De la Espriella a series of proposals to reduce public spending and generate savings of 28 billion pesos annually, within the framework of the discussion of the tax reform and economic rescue presented by the National Government.
READ ALSO
EL TIEMPO learned that the departmental leader was invited by the president to talk about this initiative and assured that will present alternatives focused on three axes: state austerity, territorial autonomy and health.
The tax reform and fiscal adjustment law have generated controversy in the country. Photo:Image generated with Canva AI
State austerity: from 18 to 7 ministries
His first proposal consists of a restructuring of the National Government to reduce the number of ministries from 18 to 7. According to his calculations, this reorganization would save 3 billion pesos a year.
READ ALSO
The proposal contemplates integrating several portfolios and entities into seven ministries: Interior and Justice; Social Development, which would bring together Health, Education, Sports, Culture, the Department of Social Prosperity and Labor; Treasury and Public Credit, which would incorporate the National Planning Department; Economic Development, with Agriculture, Commerce, Mines and Science; Territorial Development, which would bring together Environment, Transportation, Housing and ICT; Defense, and Foreign Relations.
Filing of the tax adjustment law. Photo:House of Representatives
Territorial autonomy: no more duplication of functions
The second axis is related to territorial autonomy. Rendon proposes eliminating duplication of functions between the National Government, the departments and the municipalities, and transfer those powers to the regions.
According to their estimates, this modification could represent savings of up to 17 billion of pesos.
Andrés Julián Rendón, governor of Antioquia. Photo:Governorate of Antioquia.
Eradicate Basic Health Equipment from the Petro Government
The third component of his proposals is focused on the health system. The Antioquian leader asks to eliminate Basic Health Equipment promoted by the Government of Gustavo Petro, which he questioned on the grounds that they were used for the purposes of “militant employment.”
READ ALSO
Instead, he proposes allocating the more than 8 billion pesos that, according to what he indicated, the National Government has invested in these teams to level the Capitation Payment Unit (UPC) and address the financial and operational crisis that hospitals are going through, particularly in terms of access to medical appointments and medications.
Rendón maintains that These three measures would generate savings for 28 billion pesos annually and assured that regions are willing to contribute to the recovery of national finances.
You may also be interested in:
The measures could impact the pockets of Colombians. Photo:
Stefanía León Arroyave
Audiovisual journalist
THE TIME
