Honduras to transfer US$80mn to road, healthcare projects

The Honduran government announced it will cut 2bn lempiras (US$79.6mn) of “unnecessary spending” and will use the funds to build road and healthcare infrastructure projects.

By order of President Xiomara Castro, the finance ministry (Sefin) will transfer money that was originally destined to pay for fuel, food and per diem expenses, to infrastructure works. 

“The Honduran government implements this measure due to the accelerated and effective execution that investment has demonstrated this year in highways and hospitals, and to use public funds for those priority expenses for the population,”reads a Sefin document, daily Tiempo reported. 

Despite not mentioning any particular projects that will benefit, the ministry said the program for public investment (PIP) – which is the planning tool to implement policies, plans, strategies, programs and projects – is one of the top priorities.  

The government believes the country will sustain the accelerated pace of the execution of public works and, at the same time, keep the budget within the limits of fiscal rules.