No Budget Increase for Health; Big Increase for Infrastructure
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No Budget Increase for Health; Big Increase for Infrastructure

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Pedro Alcalá By Pedro Alcalá | Senior Journalist & Industry Analyst - Fri, 04/03/2020 - 17:50

In this year’s “pre-criteria” for the composition of Mexico’s 2021 federal budget, no significant increases have been contemplated for most medical systems and programs, with the exception of Epidemiological Vigilance, which is to experience an 18.2 percent increase. Most flagship federal social programs will not see an increase either, with the exception of scholarships for middle and secondary schools, which will go up around 16.6 percent.

The lack in budget for these areas is meant to make space for the expected budgetary increase for flagship infrastructure projects. Specifically, the Santa Lucia airport is expected to have an increase in its budget of 1,298 percent, while the Mayan Train is expected to experience an increase of 936 percent. 

Ready for more? Here’s the Week in Infrastructure!

Mayan Train Publishes First Bids

FONATUR published the first bids made for the construction of the Mayan Train. These bids will cover the first segment of the train running from Palenque, Chiapas to Escárcega, Campeche, with stops in the Tabasco towns of Tenosique and Balancán. 

A total of 14 bids were presented by some of the most recognizable names in infrastructural development. FONATUR claims that a decision will be made by April 26 and work will begin on April 30. 

Cement Companies Stop Production

To comply with sanitary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, the National Chamber of Cement (CANACEM), including companies such as CEMEX, Holcim (APASCO), Cemento Cruz Azul, Cementos Moctezuma and Cementos Fortaleza, has announced a nationwide shutdown of cement production until the end of April.

CANACEM President Jaime Rocha Font explained in a letter to the Minister of Health Jorge Alcocer that this shutdown had to take place over a number of days in order to ensure that no machinery was damaged in cement plants across the country. 

Mexico City Subway Ridership Down    

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced this week that the city’s subway ridership has declined by 60 percent as a result of COVID-19 measures. While this is a sign that such measures are being followed, it also represents a financial burden for the city.

Official estimates calculate that the Mexico City subway transports its users over 1.6 billion times a year, making it the busiest subway system in the entire American continent after that of New York City. 

Nuevo Leon Open Infrastructure Platform Goes Online

Infraestructura Abierta, an open online platform to monitor and report on all infrastructure projects being developed in the state of Nuevo Leon, was activated this week after its introduction in December 2019.  The platform allows all contracts signed for public works to be accessible to all citizens to countermeasure corruption and irregularities.  

Photo by:   El Economista

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