The Comptroller General of the Republic, Marta Acosta, described the National Children’s Board (PANI) as “inoperative” and stressed that this situation dates back several years. This Thursday, before the Legislative Commission of Income and Public Expenditure, Acosta presented an audit report in which they found that despite receiving more and more resources, the PANI fails to improve its management and the levels of budget sub-execution are up to a 50%.
After being asked about the score she would give to that institution, in the light of the results of the audits, the Comptroller indicated:
I would say that it is inoperative because it has not had an appropriate strategic planning, but in addition, it has not had indicators… but also, not if there are none, there is no need to follow them, they cannot be measured and cannot be improved. In that sense, it seems to us that the PANI hasn’t worked properly for many years, and I repeat, this is not from recent years. What hurts is that they are minors who are in a situation of vulnerability and one would expect [PANI] to have greater sensitivity, greater awareness, greater vision to roll the sleeves and start making use of the resources; because the resources are there,”
said Acosta.
After making the most relevant data known, legislators expressed concern, as the Board of Trustees must be vigilant and protective of one of the most vulnerable populations: children.
It is really unfair and inhuman that having resources, the institution does not use them for to its target population, which are children”
said Jonathan Prendas, independent deputy of the New Republic Block.
The official said that as of September this year, PANI has executed just over 40%, which means that – practically – half of the resources allocated for this year will not be used but for the needs expressed by both officials and Executive Chairman of the board, Patricia Vega.