Purchase of sweets, caps, sardines, rental of portable and buses are some of the expenses incurred by municipalities and government dependencies for summer and Holy Week activities, according to the Guatecompras portal.
The sum for the purchase of food and payment of services amounts to Q2 million 803 thousand 767 and some awards have been made since last February.
According to the records, the municipalities that have made these expenses are those of Santiago, San Juan Ixcoy and the departmental head of Huehuetenango; Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez; San Pedro Yepocapa and Pochuta, Chimaltenango; Santiago Atitlán, Sololá; Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala; San Gabriel, Suchitepéquez; Progress and Asunción Mita, Jutiapa, and Pajapita, San Marcos.
These expenses have generated opinions divided among the population. While some neighbors value activities as spaces for recreation and family coexistence, others question the use of public funds in these events, especially in municipalities with unsatisfied basic needs, such as drinking water, garbage collection or school infrastructure.
In general, the mayors argue that summer activities help to boost the local economy and encourage domestic tourism, which would justify public investment.
The mayor of Santa Catarina Pinula and president of the National Association of Municipalities (ANAM), Sebastián Siero, on how these expenses are argued and if they are benefit for the municipalities were consulted. However, medium of text message only replied that “they are cultural projects.”
The Municipality of Santa Catarina Pinula awarded last March Q180 thousand for the hiring of artistic services, as part of the project called promoting the customs and traditions of the residents of the municipality of Santa Catarina Pinula through the promotion of cultural activities of Lent and Holy Week.
With more expenses
In the case of Antigua Guatemala, there is an expense of Q424 thousand 779. Among the disbursements is the rental of 20 electric buses for Lenten and Holy Week activities, for an amount of Q55 thousand. The commune argued that this measure aims to extend the visiting service service to the colonial city.
The lease of 10 turning trucks per day, with pilot, for Holy Week activities, is also reported for an amount of Q40 thousand, in addition to the rental of portable cranes and sanitary.
The commune of Pochuta, Chimaltenango, reports an expense of Q89 thousand for the acquisition of 2,300 pounds of chocolates and the same amount of sardines, destined to be distributed among the population.
On April 9, the Municipality of San Juan Ixcoy awarded the hiring of 50 actors for three days, for “Sociocultural Holy” activities, for an amount of Q52 thousand.
The commune of Asunción Mita, Jutiapa, authorized the purchase of aniline for the elaboration of carpets, for Q89 thousand. The commune of Tecitán, Huehuetenango awarded Q179 thousand 882 for the hiring of musical groups and a Rodeo show to celebrate the summer and foundation of the municipality.
Government entities
Summer and Easter expenses do not occupy only for municipalities. The Ministries of the Interior and Culture and Sports have also authorized 497 thousand 510 in different articles and activities.
Transit department of the PNC
- Assembly and disassembly service to be used during the execution of the activities scheduled for the “Holy Week 2025” campaign, on April 14, 15 and 16, 2025. Q69 thousand.
- Assembly and disassembly service that will be used during the execution of the activities of the “Holy Week 2025” campaign, on April 09, 10 and 11, 2025. Q79 thousand 840.
- Towels to be distributed during the campaign of road prevention and sensitization “Summer Safe 2025” Q84 thousand.
- Ministry of the Interior
- Caps and visas for the use of the PNC for the Holy Week 20 Plan 2025, “We all prevent” Q180 thousand.
Ministry of Culture and Sports
- Printing and installation of two Mesh Full color canvas due to the commemoration of Holy Week, Q40 thousand 680.
- Rent of 30 portable health services units, to cover the massive assistance of tourists during Holy Week within the Tikal National Park, Q39 thousand 990.