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Paraguay Minister Rejects 'Hambre Cero' Decentralization Bill, Cites Program Success
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Paraguay Minister Rejects 'Hambre Cero' Decentralization Bill, Cites Program Success

From ABC Color · (12m ago) Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Paraguayan Minister of Social Development, Tadeo Rojas, opposes a bill to decentralize the "Hambre Cero" school feeding program.
  • Rojas argues the program is consolidating well and functioning satisfactorily, making it an inopportune time to change the law.
  • The proposed bill aims to transfer administrative control from provincial governments to municipalities, potentially benefiting family farming, while the Ministry maintains control in specific regions.

Minister of Social Development Tadeo Rojas has firmly rejected a legislative proposal to decentralize Paraguay's "Hambre Cero" school feeding program. Rojas argues that the initiative, currently in a crucial phase of consolidation and yielding positive results with minimal complaints, should not be subjected to legislative changes at this juncture. His stance emphasizes the program's current success and stability under the existing framework.

The 'Hambre Cero' program is functioning satisfactorily, there is good service and no major complaints. We believe this is not the time to modify the law.

— Tadeo RojasMinister of Social Development explaining his opposition to the decentralization bill.

The proposed bill, slated for discussion, seeks to shift the administrative and resource management of "Hambre Cero" from the provincial governments to the municipalities. While proponents suggest this could enhance local agricultural engagement, Minister Rojas maintains that the Ministry of Social Development, as the executing body, is effectively managing the program. He stressed that while the Ministry respects legislative decisions, it advocates for the continuity of the current operational model.

Minister Rojas highlighted recent enhancements to the program's transparency and efficiency, including stricter supplier requirements and the implementation of the Integrated School Feeding System (SIAE), a digital platform for invoice submission. These measures, he asserts, ensure rigorous oversight and accountability. When questioned about potential electoral motivations behind the decentralization push, Rojas steered clear of speculation, reaffirming his focus on defending a program that is demonstrably delivering positive outcomes.

I don't want to speculate. Our focus is on defending a program that is delivering very positive results today.

— Tadeo RojasResponding to questions about potential electoral motives behind the decentralization proposal.

The "Hambre Cero" law, now in its third year, currently mandates a 10% quota for family farming and 5% for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in procurement. The proposed modification by Senator Colym Soroka aims for direct local sales, empowering municipalities to organize local producers. However, Rojas's firm opposition suggests a belief that such a significant structural change could disrupt the program's momentum and effectiveness, particularly as it coincides with the lead-up to municipal elections.

The compliance is strict and to the letter.

— Tadeo RojasEmphasizing the rigorous control mechanisms within the program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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