The Ministry of Public Works is the cabinet-level administrative office in charge of "planning, directing, controlling and building the public infrastructure, as well as the conservation and management of them" within Chile. It is also responsible for the "management, distribution, use and conservation" of all the water resources within the country. They answer directly to the President of Chile. Since 11 March 2022, the Minister of Public Works is Mr. Juan Carlos García Pérez de Arce.

History

The office was first created by law of 21 June 1887, under President José Manuel Balmaceda as the Ministry of Industry and Public Works. Since then it has undergone several reorganizations during its history, reflected in its different names:

Titulars

Ministers of Industry and Public Works

Ministers of Industry, Public Works and Railroads

Ministers of Public Works and Roads

Ministers of Public Works, Commerce and Communication Roads

Ministers of Foment

Sources