Province: project that seeks to guarantee the supply of electricity, water and gas to clubs, schools and hospitals advances

The Chamber of Deputies of the province of Buenos Aires approved an initiative by the president of the Unión por la Patria (UP) bloc, Facundo Tignanelliwhich aims to guarantee that the province’s institutions have access to public services.

The project, which must now be discussed by the Senate, proposes that “public service providers with provincial jurisdiction guarantee the supply of gas, drinking water, electricity and sewage services” for non-profit civil associations, municipalities, municipal agencies and publicly managed health and educational establishments.

So, The cutting of services will be prohibited for these institutions“even when they are in arrears or with a cut-off notice.” It is clarified in the proposal that these organizations “will be reached as long as their consumption does not exceed 5,000 kw/h per month.”

It also establishes that the providing companies must grant them installment payment plans monthly payments that make it easier for them to pay off their debts. Even users who have adhered to payment plans prior to the standard may request this benefit.

In his speech during the session, Tignanelli declared: “This is a project with a deep sense of social justiceestablishes equality between service providers managed by the private sector and those managed by the public sector. In addition, it will make it easier for a lot of institutions in the province of Buenos Aires to carry out the activities” and pointed out that “a development society, a hospital, an educational institution or a club that has had its service cut off due to non-payment means a lot of less kids in that place.”

The legislator pointed out during the debate that “This puts the company that manages the State on equal terms with the company that manages the private sector.” and highlighted that it is a measure “that will help the institutions currently punished by the adjustment policies of President Javier Milei.”

The parliamentary proposal determines sanctions and fines for those providers of Buenos Aires public services that fail to comply with what is established in its articles.

The basics

In the foundations of the project it is determined that “non-profit Civil Associations fulfill social, cultural, sports and community functions of great relevance, contributing to the well-being of the population and the strengthening of the social fabric. It is essential that they have the necessary resources to carry out their activities.

It is added that “hospitals are fundamental to providing medical care to the community” so “Disrupting the supply of electricity and gas puts patients’ lives at risk and the functioning of vital medical equipment” and it is noted that “schools are crucial for the educational and social development of children and adolescents; and the cutting or suspension of these supplies, can seriously disrupt the educational processaffecting student learning and generating a long-term negative impact on their development.”

In turn, it was indicated that “municipalities depend on electricity and gas to provide a wide range of essential services to the community, such as public lighting, wastewater treatment, emergency services, among others, so the interruption of basic services for these entities, can have an economic impact on the community“.

“The establishment of the prohibition or suspension of these services for these entities, even in case of late payment, is consistent with the constitutional principles of equality and access to basic services. In this sense, it is necessary to establish a legal framework of protection for these entities that promote their continuity and development, thus contributing to the strengthening of the social fabric and the general well-being of the population,” closes the measure.