Funding for new province no problem – Martinelli

FUNDING for the 10th province will not be a problem said President Ricardo Martinelli on Monday November 5 and he plans to sign the bill giving it the go head.

His comments came a day after Frank De Lima, Minister of Economy and Finance confirmed that the 2014 state budget did not have any funds for the new province's budget.

Martinelli said that the law "has already been sanctioned" although it has not been published in the Official Gazette reports La Prensa The law creating the province was approved by the National Assembly on Oct. 29. It has generated controversy because it locates the headquarters of the new province in La Chorrera and does not outline the funding for the administration of the entity.
Groups from Arraijan have demonstrated against the creation of the province, saying it is a political move aimed at swaying voters from La Chorrera.