A Human Capital audit revealed that 87% of the cafeterias were duplicates

The Ministry of Human Capital, led by Sandra Pettovello, published the results of an audit conducted by the General Syndicate of the Nation (SIGEN) on the National Registry of Community Kitchens and Snack Bars (ReNaCoM).

The report reveals serious structural failures in the database and administrative procedures related to the allocation of food resources, which compromise the efficiency and transparency of the social policy implemented in previous years.

According to the survey, 87% of the ReNaCoM records were duplicated, meaning that almost nine out of ten registrations correplied to repeated data. This figure, which comes from a thorough analysis of the system, demonstrates the absence of basic control and cleansing mechanisms in the official registry, which made it difficult to properly allocate funds and resources to those who truly needed them.

In addition to the duplicated records, it was found that 34% of the registrations contained incomplete fields or fields filled with zero values, making it impossible to properly identify the beneficiaries. Serious errors were also reported in the geolocation of the kitchens and snack bars, which prevents verifying their existence and operation on site.

One of the most significant findings provided by the audit is that 70% of the 54,613 spaces pre-registered were never verified in person. This equals more than 38,000 establishments without any type of inspection by the State, which calls into question the legitimacy of many of them. 

The lack of in-person visits translates into an absence of the state for those people who were supposed to receive food assistance, opening the door to abuses, diversions, and political discretion.

The audit also warns about the general obsolescence of the registry, the lack of alerts for registration expirations, and excessive delays in validation processes: in some cases, up to 914 days passed between the initial verification and formal approval. This delay directly affects the operational capacity of the State to guarantee food assistance in a timely and proper manner, and exposes the precariousness of the previous administration in managing social programs.

"The actions we've been carrying out from the Ministry of Human Capital help generate greater transparency and reach beneficiaries directly and without intermediaries.", states the official statement released after the publication of the report. 

In this regard, the dissemination of the SIGEN survey is part of a state policy aimed at making public management more transparent and ensuring the efficient use of resources, in line with the principles of austerity and order promoted by the current government.

The review and restructuring of ReNaCoM is presented as an essential step to restore trust in state assistance mechanisms, strengthening traceability and reducing the margins for opacity and political patronage, which is one of the permanent characteristics in kirchnerista governments.