Bolivian Municipal Association Seeks Meeting with President to Define Work Agenda

The president of FAM Bolivia, Johnny Torres, has formally requested an audience with President Rodrigo Paz to establish a work agenda. Torres, who also serves as the mayor of Cercado (Tarija), was recently elected to lead the Federation of Municipal Associations of Bolivia (FAM).

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We are going to request an audience with President Paz Pereira as soon as possible because there must be a meeting with the mayors of the country, just as there was with the governors of the nine departments.

Torres emphasized the need to include the consolidation of a 50/50 public investment model in the agenda. This model aims to guarantee that public services effectively meet the population's demands through increased public spending in the coming years. He highlighted that currently, the national government manages 91% of economic resources, leaving only 9% for regional governments, 335 municipalities, and public universities. Torres believes a more equitable redistribution is necessary for the benefit of both the national government and local administrations.

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Then it must be redistributed to be more equitable. If that percentage is consolidated, it will allow the government and the municipalities of the country to do well.

Furthermore, FAM Bolivia proposed convening the National Council of Autonomies, the highest body for discussing issues affecting subnational entities, especially amid the current economic crisis. Torres also suggested reviving the Emergency Social Fund, an initiative from a previous administration, to directly support municipalities in assisting impoverished populations. The federation's vice president is Mario Cronenbold, mayor of Warnes, and Sara Armella, mayor of El Puente (Tarija), holds the general secretary position.

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The idea is that it works directly with Municipal Governments as an instrument that helps the poorest.