This is what the new GAD Law approved by the National Assembly says
The Ecuadorian National Assembly approved a law aimed at reforming local government resource allocation to prioritize investment in basic services for citizens.
The National Assembly of Ecuador has approved the Organic Reform Law to the Organic Code of Territorial Organization, Autonomy, and Decentralization (Cootad) with a vote of 77 in favor. This law introduces new regulations governing the use of resources by decentralized autonomous governments (GAD), primarily aiming to focus on essential public works and services. The reform was submitted by the executive branch and deemed urgent for economic matters by President Daniel Noboa AzÃn, highlighting the urgency of addressing current expenditure growth, particularly in bureaucratic expenditures.
One of the key objectives of this reform is to ensure that public resources are efficiently translated into direct benefits for the citizenry. This indicates a shift towards prioritizing fundamental public services such as potable water, sewage, sanitation, and solid waste management. President Noboa emphasized that the law will help bring justice to public resource allocation, encouraging an increased focus on accountability in how these funds are used to meet the urgent needs of the Ecuadorian population.
As the law is implemented, there will be significant implications for local governments and their operations. The focus on transparency and accountability in resource allocation aims to foster better governance and more effective investment in infrastructure and basic services, addressing pressing issues within Ecuador's public service sector. Legislative changes like this can fundamentally reshape how local governments operate and interact with their constituents, requiring vigilant oversight to ensure that the intended benefits have a meaningful impact on community well-being and development.