Bill S-2553/2021 creates the Laguna El Palmar National Park and National Reserve in the Department of Bermejo, Province of Chaco, in accordance with the terms of National Law No. 22,351 on the Legal Regime of National Parks, Natural Monuments and National Reserves.

An analysis of the current programs of the National Parks Administration showed that the last three parks were created in 2018. Although each park has different characteristics and dimensions, it was possible to find some similarities, for example, they did not show any execution during the year of creation (2018) and did not accrue personnel expenses until the third or fourth fiscal year.

Based on the information provided by the Northern Regional Directorate of the National Parks Administration, expenditure for operating expenses is estimated to be around ARS18.9 million. Additionally, once the park’s organizational structure is approved, personnel expenses would amount to ARS12.4 million annually, at May 2022 values, for a staff of 10 agents.

The purpose of Bill PE 198-21 is to grant a one-time extraordinary benefit to those who died or suffered serious injuries because of the repression carried out by the Government during the protests held throughout the national territory on December 19 and 20, 2001, within the framework of the state of siege declared by means of Executive Order 1,678/2001. The benefit would be granted to the injured or the rightful beneficiaries of the deceased victims.

As stated in the Bill, 39 people lost their lives and more than one hundred were injured throughout the country.

To estimate the fiscal impact of the Bill, a maximum assumption is made, where all beneficiaries of the 39 deceased persons, as well as those severely injured, comply with all the requirements set forth in the Bill, apply for the benefit and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, the competent authority, grants it to them. It is considered that in all cases the full amount of the benefit is received.

The expenditure that the Bill under analysis would require if approved during the current fiscal year and under the assumptions made, would amount to ARS 1.538 billion at May 2022 values.

For beneficiaries of deceased persons, the benefit amount would be of ARS14.1 million, and for those severely injured, the benefit amount would be of ARS9.9 million (equivalent to that provided for beneficiaries of deceased persons, reduced by 30%).