The plenary session of the Cabildo de La Gomera approved an insular budget for 2008 that exceeds 52,1 million euros, in addition to 2,4 millions which correspond to the items managed by the Island Water Council. "A total amount of over 54,5 million euros", states the chairman of the Corporation, Casimiro Curbelo, who ensures that the annual budget is eminently social and accentuates the well know solitary character of the island, and will allow to cushion the possible economic recession next year.

"The data from sectors so important for La Gomera and for the Canary Islands such as construction, tourism and financial markets point to an economic stagnation and we must be prepared, which is why the Cabildo de La Gomera has opted for special budgets targeting people which will help to cushion and handle difficult situations, in addition to helping maintain the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens”, he stressed.

According to Curbelo, these budgets emphasize employment and training of young people, as well as the integration of the most disadvantaged groups, and maximize public investment to offset any downturn that might affect the private sector. "These budgets were elaborated thinking of the children and schools, the academics and universities, the children in distress, the unaccompanied minor immigrants, the disabled, the elderly, and the unemployed", he says.

The President of the Cabildo ensures that the accounts are "prudent and realistic", and explains that the total amount rose 14,34 percent over the year 2007, for which the Corporation budgeted 45,5 million euros. On the expenditure side, the main island representative emphasizes that the investment programme amounts to 12,07 million euros, equivalent to 23 percent of the total, and adds that among the remaining items the most significant are the current transfers, amounting to 13,9 million euros, as well as the capital transfers, amounting to 5,3 million euros, and the running costs, which amount to 7,1 million euros. "In total, nearly 60 percent of the budget goes to actions of public interest", he says.

From the document approved by the Cabildo Insular de La Gomera it can be taken as well that in 2008 a total of 11,2 million euros will be allocated to the chapter of staff, 823.559 euros to the financial costs, 196.000 euros for assets, and 1,3 million remain financial liabilities.

Curbelo also refers to the chapter of income and indicates that the bulk of the funds correspond to direct taxation, that is, resources that make up the Economic and Fiscal Regime, and they provide 21,2 million euros to the Budget 2008, as well as current transfers and capital resources from the State and the Autonomous Region, amounting to 20 million euros, and that fund primarily the responsibilities transferred to the Inter Island Councils of the Canary Archipelago.