'Gov't does not asphyxiate the provinces', Abal Medina warns

Cabinet Chief Juan Manuel Abal Medina explained that the Government's co-participation scheme has increased by 37 percent between the February 2012-2013 period and assured that the National Government does not “asphyxiate” provinces.

“This shows an economy that is in full expansion”, the official said as he blasted government critics, who he says are “agents of failure” and “doomsayers”.

During a radio interview, Abal Medina pointed out that provincial districts have received 16 billion pesos, showing what he believes is the government’s determination to maintain a “model of social inclusion in development” in the context of a global crisis.