BRIEFS. metro

City budget increases garbage spending

Of the $96.2 million requested by Mayor Juan Carlos Navarro as part of the municipal budget for 2009, a total of $8 million will be used for social development programs in the capital's 21 districts.

The proposed budget, which must receive approval from the City Council, doubles the budget of Dimaud, which handles garbage collection, to $16.7 million.

According to Treasurer Mario Miranda, the budget includes money to build a new headquarters and to address issues at the Cerro Patacón landfill.

Among the $8 million for social development is $1.1 million in miscellaneous expenses for “community projects” and “investment projects.”

Miranda said that the budget is set up so that the money is distributed evenly throughout the year, and not doled out entirely in the first six months of 2008, which is when Navarro's term comes to an end.