Subsidies

A kidney-disease patient appealed to Congress to immediately approve a promised subsidy for more than 7,000 Hondurans with the condition, citing treatment costs and a deepening health crisis.

The electrical regulator (CREE) is expected to approve a 17% rate increase on September 30, but a six-month rate freeze and state subsidies enacted by Congress will prevent the increase from reaching residential and vulnerable consumers.

Housing Secretary Francis Argeñal said 75% of Honduras's population lacks access to bank credit, prompting the government to develop a national financial-inclusion plan and subsidy policy for housing projects.

Congressman Marco Midence, a former finance minister, warned that climbing oil prices driven by Middle East conflict will push inflation higher in Honduras, urging the government to adopt energy efficiency measures and stabilize food prices through state programs.