Thousands of older adults in vulnerable situation were left without access to basic food in the first half of 2024despite the Secretariat of Social Works of the President’s wife (SOSEP) I had more than Q9.8 million available To cover that service, according to a finding of the Comptroller General of Accounts (CGC).
The CGC filed a formal complaint against three SOSEP authorities, including the current secretary Zulma Calderónfor deficiencies in the execution of the program “My golden years.”
The main finding indicates a breach in the provision of the food service, with an assigned budget that was not properly executed during the middle of 2024.
The report details that, although the budget allocated for the Comprehensive Attention to the Elderly In 2024 it amounted to Q12.5 million – of which Q9.8 million They were specifically destined for food purchase—, Until June 30 of that year they only executed Q70 thousand In a single center, located in Guatemala City.
For then, Q4.4 million execution were pending execution amount that should guarantee the feeding of Thousands of beneficiary older adults.
The audit found that the Food service was not provided in 49 day care centers (CAD) of 14 departmentsviolating a right established by law for beneficiaries.
What revealed the audit?
The audit report evaluated the operation of the program during the period of the January 1 to June 30, 2024.
During that time, the CGC visited 13 day care centers in five departmentsin which he verified the Failure to comply with the regulations which requires food service as an essential part of comprehensive care to older adults.
Purchases were made through the Institutional Rotary Fundand one of the suppliers was Douglas Alexander Sartiregistered as an individual merchant under the name Distribute trust. However, when verifying the registered address, no indications were found that the company really operated on the spot.
In addition, the supplier is linked to two other companies: Distribuidora La Universal and Multiculturalwhat generated Doubts to the Comptroller about its installed capacity.
The version of the centers
As June 2024, the direction of my golden years reported 2,950 older adults beneficiaries in the centers of the country, who had to receive Comprehensive careincluding three food times a dayas established by the program regulations.
According to the report, The testimonies of centers in Jalapa and Jutiapa confirmed breach.
In Jalapa It was indicated that no food was provided and? The activities depended on external efforts. In Santa Catarina Mita, Jutiapathe center reported that He remained without attending beneficiaries throughout the year.
In another center of the Zone 3 of Jutiapait was reported that the activities They were performed sporadically and without food servicedue to lack of resources.
Who are responsible?
The CGC complaint establishes a Commonly responsibility against a former official and two current:
- Zulma CalderónSecretary of Social Works.
- Aleydy ContrerasUndersecretary of Social Promotion.
- Mariana Pérezformer director of the my golden years.
The audit concluded that Calderónin their capacity to highest institutional authorityhe had the obligation to Supervise compliance with public policies and administrative efforts.
Although he argued that his role was only management and not direct execution, the Comptroller said that I had knowledge of the approved budget through a resolution. The CGC considered that the actions taken From the fifth month they were late and insufficient.
In response to consultations made by Free press On the Complaint of the Comptroller, SOSEP said that internal audits began since the beginning of the management to review the efficiency of its programs, including “My golden years.”
In response to the accusations due to the lack of execution of more than Q9.8 millionthe Secretariat explained that it was first necessary to evaluate the status of the program and its target population, which took time but allowed to identify opportunities for improvement.
The headline, Zulma Calderón, said that in this administration a supervision line was established that did not exist, as part of a new approach based on the quality of spending, adding that they are in the process of submitting their defense before the corresponding complaint.
For its part, Contreras In his discharge arguments, he indicated that Purchase files were made until May 15but did not timely manage planning neither effectively supervised his teamespecially to the director of the program.
The CGC also identified contradictions In his arguments, since he justified the lack of execution in a Inadequate PACwhile the Secretariat argued that An extraordinary supervision plan was implemented in Julyof which No conclusive results.
Finally, the responsibility of the former director of “My Golden Years”, Mariana Pérezwhose contract was terminated.
Despite stating that he coordinated actions and requested advice for food acquisition, It was demonstrated that the food service was not provided during the period evaluated.
Pérez also argued that the lack of key personnel, such as Deputy Director, Project Engineer and Administrative Assistantsaffected the functioning of the management.
However, the CGC concluded that its duty as the most responsible was to guarantee the serviceespecially by having an available budget.
Prejudice to the elderly population
The CGC report indicates that the Failure breach caused direct damage to older adultsto the Do not guarantee a basic right like foodwhich is clearly established in the internal regulations of the program.
Despite the meetings, adjustments and justifications presented by the authorities, as of June 30, 2024 almost Q4.5 million were still not executedevidencing one Structural failure in the planning, execution and supervision of the program.