After a thorough four-day audit conducted by the National Undersecretariat for the Environment, the province of San Juan has formally become the model to follow in the oversight of resources under the Law 26.331 on Environmental Protection of Native Forests.
The national government reactivated on-site inspections to verify the effective application of funds in the territory. National evaluators congratulated the local management and positioned San Juan as the “benchmark for accountability” applicable to the rest of the provinces in the country.
Four days of rigorous inspection
The national committee —composed of technician Magalí Taurina and regional representative Mariano Hidalgo, along with the local Director of Native Forests, Gustavo Mercado— audited administrative files and conducted intensive fieldwork:
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25 de Mayo (South): Initial on-site inspection to assess the state of forest resources.
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Valle Fértil (East): Audit of Integrated Livestock and Forest Management projects, demonstrating sustainable coexistence between cattle production and conservation.
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Jáchal (North): Inspection in La Ciénaga on an ecotourism project, an example of an alternative regional economy without environmental harm.
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Administrative work: Review of financial statements, files, and cross-referencing of financial data at the Native Forests Directorate headquarters.
San Juan as a “model to follow”
Gustavo Mercado highlighted that San Juan was chosen to start the cycle of federal audits for being up to date with accountability, allowing it to receive economic resources in a timely manner. National technicians will use San Juan’s parameters as a control standard for other jurisdictions.
Economic impact and secured funds
The approval of the audit guarantees the continuity of national funding for environmental conservation in the province:
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Current projects: San Juan has 24 native forest projects in full execution.
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2026 Funds: The 2026 Annual Strategic Plan for Native Forests is in the final phase to ensure disbursements for this year.
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2025 Call: It was reminded that the deadline is July 31 for the submission of new projects for the 2025 cycle.
With these results, the province consolidates a scheme of administrative transparency that protects its arid ecosystems and guarantees economic incentives for local producers.
