Funds Aailable for New Province – De Lima

OPPOSITION to the creation of Panama’s tenth province has largely focused on the lack of provision for funding the initiative.

The National Assembly approved the creation of the province of Western Panama on October 29, , and on Sunday, November 3 Minister of Economy and Finance Frank De Lima moved to answer critics.

He said that the funds are available and that the creation of the 10th province will not affect the 2014 state budget, which was approved last month. He said that, for next year, the province will get its funds come from special appropriations.
The naming of La Chorrera as the capital of the new province has also come under attack and protesters in Arriajan blocked the main highway.
The proposal has not yet been sanctioned by President Ricardo Martinelli.