Taken from Hoy
The Executive Branch today submitted to the National Congress, for its knowledge and approval, the draft General State Budget Law for the year 2022, which contemplates total expenditures for the central government amounting to RD$1,155,565.3 million, of which a total expenditure of RD$1,046,280.7 million is projected, and financial applications of RD$109,284.6 million.
The legislative piece was delivered by the Minister of Finance, Jochi Vicente, and the Director General of Budget, José Rijo Presbot, to the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco, in accordance with the provisions of Article 233 of the Constitution of the Republic and Article 34 of the Organic Budget Law for the Public Sector No. 423-06.
A press release indicates that the project includes prioritizing public funds to support the recovery and relaunch of the national productive sector. In 2022, central government tax revenues are projected at RD$871,485.9 million, equivalent to 14.9% of the estimated GDP for the year.
At the event, Vicente explained that this budget proposes a deficit for the central government of 3.0% of GDP, in line with the consolidation of fiscal accounts undertaken by the current administration to maintain a sustainable debt trajectory.
It is noted that 12 of the 22 ministries will show reductions in their budget allocations compared to 2021, which will allow the necessary budgetary space to be created to increase other programs defined as priorities, following the strategy of focusing spending to support the economy in its relaunch process without generating additional financing needs.
The Minister of Finance also stated that there are other urgent priorities for the country in the areas of health, social protection, citizen security and infrastructure projects that are part of the fiscal reorganization proposal that will be presented by the Government in October for the knowledge and discussion with society and its subsequent presentation to Congress.
The Director General of Budget explained that the programming of spending for the 2022 budget year has the fundamental purpose of ensuring the development of the country in an inclusive and sustainable manner, prioritizing the main needs of the citizens.
Salary increase . The project includes increases in the budget allocations of the Ministries of the Interior and Police and of Defense, reaching amounts of RD$50,918.2 million and RD$41,821.3 million, respectively, mainly as a consequence of the increase in the salaries of the police and military corps.
In addition, provide the resources to strengthen the Citizen Security Plan by modernizing the infrastructure, equipment and technology of the national defense institutions.
The bill allocates RD$36,939.6 million for the universalization of social security, through the National Health Insurance (SENASA), which aims to increase enrollment to more than 5.8 million Dominicans in the subsidized family health insurance scheme and 1.2 million in the contributory scheme.
Similarly, it proposes the continuation of the "Supérate" program, which doubles the per capita funding provided by assistance programs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within this framework, the "Aliméntate" program, which replaces "Comer es Primero," has a planned allocation of RD$26,730.0 million to provide conditional cash transfers to eligible households.
Social protection and security
The bill allocates RD$36,939.6 million for the universalization of social security, through the National Health Insurance (SENASA), which aims to increase enrollment to more than 5.8 million Dominicans in the subsidized family health insurance scheme and 1.2 million in the contributory scheme.
Similarly, it proposes the continuation of the "Supérate" program, which doubles the per capita funding provided by assistance programs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within this framework, the "Aliméntate" program, which replaces "Comer es Primero," has a planned allocation of RD$26,730.0 million to provide conditional cash transfers to eligible households.
