In coordination with the Ministry of Social Development and the Social Welfare Bank (BPS), UTE announced on April 24 benefits for some 7,000 participants in the Old Age Assistance Program and 85 non-profit homes that care for the elderly. The state company will allocate 31 million pesos annually to this support.
The press conference was attended by the Minister of Social Development, Martín Lema; the assistant secretary, Andrea Brugman; the president of UTE, Silvia Emaldi; the head of the BPS, Alfredo Cabrera, and other authorities of the state company.
In his speech, Lema highlighted the joint work of the three organizations, which allowed benefits for the elderly.
The Secretary of State pointed out that the measure will make it possible to provide quality electricity at an affordable price, prevent accidents that irregular connections can cause, and promote social inclusion.
In this sense, he reported that non-profit nursing homes registered with the BPS will obtain a 50% discount on their electricity rates. He assured that the measure will mean monthly relief and will encourage the regularization of those who are not.
On the other hand, Lema explained that thanks to the coordination, the company’s board of directors decided to maintain the bonus for the beneficiaries of the Old-Age Assistance Program who turn 70, given that the 80% discount on monthly electricity expenses was no longer received at the 69 years. This measure will reach some 7,000 people, he stressed.
For his part, Emaldi added that these benefits mean, per year, 31,000,000 pesos, which are added to the support of the Social Bond for electricity that currently reaches 146,000 homes and which in 2022 implied 48,000,000 dollars.
He clarified that, in the case of the participants of the Old Age Assistance Program, the contribution will be 9,000,000 pesos per year and that another 22,000,000 pesos will be allocated for the 85 households.
