The Plenary Session of the Congress of the Republic approved this Thursday, April 4, in its final articles, reforms to the Irtra Law, which allows them to execute purchases directly without having to use the State Contracting Law.
The new law was approved with the support of 131 deputies. Now it is up to the Irtra administration to prepare the regulations to increase its investment.
This regulation seeks to facilitate Irtra’s investment, since although they do not use public funds, they had to be governed by the State purchasing law. Which made maintenance work or executing new projects difficult.
Deputy Cristian Álvarez, of Commitment Renewal and Order (Creo), argued following the approval of the law that the Plenary’s decision “was the correct one”, since this is something positive for national investment.
“The right thing was done because today a vote of confidence was given to the Irtra administration. They have been doing things well for years and today they present changes to the Irtra law, and in Congress we have correctly processed them,” said Álvarez.
Who was also in favor of the approval was deputy Elmer Palencia, from the Valor bloc, who believes that the Irtra parks generate positive contributions for the national economy. But he recalled that the national roads, which lead to recreational parks, are not in the best condition.
“It is important and I want to use this moment to make a call to the Executive that although it is true that Irtra will make a large investment, it is regrettable that Guatemalans who want to circulate and reach this place take more than six hours to travel, and It is due to the lack of maintenance of the roads and road network,” said Palencia.
New projects
Irtra is satisfied with the approval made by the Congress of the Republic. They praised that all the deputies present at the session supported the norm.
“We reached an agreement to be able to agree on the reforms with all the different political groups. Of the 131 present, all voted in favor of the law,” explained Jorge Mario Chajón, advisor to the presidency of Irtra.
Now it is up to the company to prepare its manuals to be able to better execute its economic resources, where to date they have managed to manage a record in terms of compliance and transparency.
“We have to make a purchasing regulation that does not have to deviate from international transparency standards. That was just a section of text that they added and we totally agree, it is a healthy, transparent institution that has maintained an important prestige,” added Chajón.
The advisor to the Irtra Presidency recalled that in 62 years of operations the company has never had reprimands for findings by the Comptroller General of Accounts (CGC). Now, with the new law that makes investment easier, they hope to promote new projects.
“With the international airport we hope it will be the best airport that Guatemala has. Also a convention center for 15 thousand people that Guatemala does not have either, that will make us bring conferences and large events,” Chajón highlighted, and recalled this event hall would be located in Retalhuleu.
He added: “In Agua Caliente a complete reconversion of this park is being done. It will be ready in approximately three years; Mundo Petapa will also have some important renovations.”
Currently, Irtra has more than half a million members. The company hopes that when the national economy grows, more people can join the membership.
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