Jennifer Arends-Reyes (AVP) highlights pension relief, housing and transport in supplementary budget

ORANJESTAD — AVP parliamentarian Jennifer Arends-Reyes says Aruba's 2026 supplementary budget must deliver tangible benefits to residents, particularly pensioners, families and people seeking affordable housing.

Key measures include a monthly Afl. 150 increase in the reparatietoeslag allowance for approximately 21,000 AOV and AWW beneficiaries. The contribution rate on the first Afl. 30,000 of pensioners' income would also fall from 5% to 0%.

The proposal further includes Afl. 5 million related to high gasoline prices, a loan of up to Afl. 23 million to FCCA for social rental housing for people aged 55 and older, and nearly Afl. 3 million to renovate the San Nicolas bus station.

Arends-Reyes has asked the government to clarify how the measures will be implemented, who will qualify and what results residents can expect. She also requested details about an additional Afl. 300,000 for DOW and the proposed waiver of civil claims totaling up to Afl. 73,865 involving Trampolin pa Trabao participants.

With a projected budget surplus of Afl. 80.8 million, she emphasized financial discipline and transparency.

"A budget matters when public resources translate into concrete improvements in people's daily lives," Arends-Reyes stated.