IDB warns of weak environmental controls while government plans further easing

What the papers say
La Prensa. July 4
It is becoming more necessary to create sustainable development plans and legislation in line with development that accompanies economic growth.

 The lack of control, will bring serious consequences. Proof of this is the prediction of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which warns of the serious social and environmental problems for the Chiriqui Viejo River with the construction of 24 hydroelectric plants along its banks.

It mentions, for example, floods and even the threat of compromising horticultural irrigation and human health. This evidence-warns of weak institutions to manage these projects, which total 63 in only four river basins Chiriqui The IDB is not wrong in pointing out the weakness of the institutions involved in this issue.

So how could the Government plan to relax the rules on environmental impact studies with the apparent inability of the National Environmental Authority to regulate and control? Who will pay for any damage caused by floods, including human lives that may be lost because of them? This is an issue which the Government should reconsider as soon as possible.