Cortázar: "Not one extra peso has been designated to any region"

SANTIAGO.- The Minister of Transportation, René Cortázar, has denied that $1.2 billion pesos in maritime transportation funding for Chiloé had been offered to Deputy Gabriel Ascencio of the DC party in exchange for his vote in favor of the Transantiago subsidy law. The law was passed yesterday in the Chamber of Deputies with 57 votes in favor and 56 against.  

The Minister reiterated that this project stipulates the injection of $210 million US dollars for Santiago and the same amount for regions on a permanent basis; including those municipalities that have less than 50 thousand inhabitants.

“This is already provided for (...) and the resources are going directly to the people. The benefits are for all municipalities of the country, not just for a select few” stated the head of Transportation on radio Cooperativa.  

He also recognized that during yesterday’s voting process, numerous propositions were brought up for the improvement of the project and that “of course” they are willing to look into any suggestion made at Senate.

“We are going to take into consideration any idea that would lead to an improvement of the initiative” clarified Cortázar.