The National Decentralization Authority (AND) has taken important steps in the accountability process. To date, 385 reports have been delivered, which represents 51.06% of the local governments that received transfers from the Social Interest Subprogram. New reports are received daily.
The amount transferred from this subprogram during the years 2021 to 2024 amounts to 320 million balboas.
AND has established, and as requested by President José Raúl Mulino, mechanisms for the delivery of complaints to the Public Ministry, a process that will begin next Friday, October 18, and will be staggered over time as the reports are received.
So far, 38 community boards and municipalities have formally indicated to the AND that their institution does not have any documentation on the expenditure of money from the Social Interest Subprogram.
Background
The National Decentralization Authority, following up on the statement issued on August 15 by His Excellency the President of the Republic, began notifying the 754 community boards and municipalities that had received funds from the Social Interest Subprogram (PDIS). They were asked to present a detailed accountability report within a maximum period of 60 days from the notification, justifying the use of the resources received.
In this notification, the AND details the different amounts transferred between 2021 and 2024, to each of the local government administrations.
We are advancing in the legal and accounting review of the documentation, and those that do not have the proper justifications will be sent to the Public Ministry so that the pertinent investigations can be initiated, if it is considered that there are sufficient merits; Furthermore, in cases where the required documentation is not submitted within the established period, a complaint will also be sent to the Public Ministry.
During the first 100 days of government, the National Decentralization Authority, in collaboration with the Accountability Subdirectorate of the Comptroller General of the Republic, has trained 1,777 representatives, mayors and administrative staff of the AND in project formulation and accountability of accounts. The objective is to maximize the impact on the use of resources and guarantee adequate oversight.
