Environmental groups unite to denounce lack of transparency

Panama’s leading environmental groups banded together, Monday (August 9) to demand more transparency in public administration from the government.

This followed another government legislative coup in slipping a new regulation through the National Assembly, wrapped up in an irrelevant  piece of legislation as with the now infamous 9 in 1 law.
A communique signed by 11 organizations that fight for the protection of the ecosystem labeled the changing of the requirements for the appointment of ARAP officials Panama “a mistake.” (ARAP is the governing body for fisheries protection and coastal waterways.)  
It said that that the government’s decision created a "climate of distrust", after the firing of the previous the manager Diana Arauz, and the changing of the hiring rules so that the position could be occupied by a person without sufficient professional requirements.

"We reject both the manner in which the amendment to the law that created the Aquatic Resources Authority (Act 44 of 2006), was changed and the heart of the problem, making "flexible" the requirements to be Administrator or Deputy Administrator of the body” said the declaration.
The signatories of the document indicated that the amendment to the Act Arap Actwas introduced in a non transparent manner in the second National Assembly debate on a law about the National Disability Secretariat, and was published two days later in the Government Gazette with the presidential signature.

The complainants said: "We will not rest or stop demanding the right of citizens to express opinions and make appropriate recommendations on issues that ultimately affect us all, and to ensure transparency in government activities."

The statement was signed by the executive directors of foundations: MarViva, Ancon, Avifauna, Albatros Media, Natura, Promar, Ocean Association of Panama, the Audubon Society, Panama Sustainable Conservation International and Blue Almanac.