The Paraguayan Congress’s Bicameral Budget Committee began reviewing the 2027 General National Budget (PGN) bill on Monday, September 7, estimated at G. 166.3 trillion. The debate comes amid a crisis in the public health system and a pledge by the governing bloc to treat the sector as a priority.
Economy and Finance Minister Óscar Lovera presented the bill’s broad outlines and described the situation as “challenging,” citing the guarani’s appreciation against the dollar as a factor affecting revenue projections. Of the total projected amount, G. 87.9 trillion corresponds to the Central Administration and G. 78.4 trillion to decentralized entities. Health care, education, social programs, infrastructure and security are among the areas declared priorities.
Deputy María Cristina Villalba was elected chair of the committee, with Senator Silvio Ovelar as vice chair. Natalicio Chase and Luis Federico Franco were chosen as rapporteurs. The committee, formed under Article 216 of the Paraguayan Constitution, is expected to issue an opinion before the budget is put to a vote in both houses of Congress.
The discussion took on a political dimension after a meeting in Asunción between former President Horacio Cartes, president of the National Republican Association (Colorado Party) and leader of the Honor Colorado movement, and lawmakers from the governing bloc. Senator Gustavo Leite said public health would be the “budget priority” for 2027. Basilio Núñez, Antonio Barrios, Natalicio Chase, Juan Carlos Baruja, Eduardo González and Sergio Godoy also took part.
Senator Antonio Barrios, a former health minister, defended dialogue with doctors but said the National Medical Association’s (Sinamed) demand for a minimum salary of G. 8 million for a full workload was unfeasible. He said a 12-hour weekly contract could pay about G. 5.4 million, or approximately US$1,300. “If you want to make money in medicine, you have to practice private medicine,” he said. Barrios also acknowledged that the Ministry of Health had taken too long to begin negotiations.
The conflict involves specialists’ resignations and salary demands following the nationwide mobilization of doctors at the end of August. Lawmakers are also discussing the creation of a special crisis committee to monitor the health system and propose administrative and budgetary measures. The government estimated that the doctors’ requested increase alone could cost about US$100 million.
Separately, the Senate is expected to consider on September 9 a request for information from the Central Bank of Paraguay about Ueno Bank’s situation. The questionnaire contains 31 points and addresses transactions with related parties, the sale of a loan portfolio, the concentration of public deposits and an accounting exception linked to the absorption of Visión Banco.
The request also seeks clarification about a July 2026 memorandum attributed to Fernando Rivarola, then head of Supervision at the Banking Superintendency. Senators want to know whether the document was received, whether it was reviewed by the Central Bank’s board and whether there was a discrepancy between the technical assessment and the regulator’s decisions. The request for information, by itself, does not establish irregularities at Ueno Bank; the Central Bank is responsible for answering the questions and providing the requested documentation.