Mulino Announces $110 Million to Settle all Debts with Producers and an Investment of $97 Million in the Panama Education Sector

The National Government has allocated funds in the order of $110 million to pay off the entire outstanding debt owed to the country’s producers through the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA).  José Raúl Mulino also confirmed an investment of $97 million in the education sector, which will have a significant impact on the creation of thousands of jobs.  In his regular Thursday press conference, held at the Palacio de Las Garzas, the president emphasized that the National Government has made “a tremendous effort” to secure the necessary resources within the General State Budget to pay off debts owed to agricultural producers, who have been requesting this payment in the form of compensation and incentives for sectors such as rice, corn, and milk.

“The goal is to help the sector and provide the necessary support for its continued growth. We hope to begin payments in the coming days; The minister is ready to begin, so all debts will be settled and we can get back to work,” he said.  He also announced that the Ministry of Education (Meduca) has launched a strategic investment totaling $97 million, aimed at strengthening educational infrastructure and formalizing school properties, which will impact the much-needed creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, the contracting of services, and economic growth in different regions of the country.  Already in the initial phase, this past Friday May 16th the president announced orders to proceed with the construction and improvement of educational centers.

This will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs in sectors such as construction, transportation, materials, and engineering, for more than $25 million, in projects that impact more than 2,000 students. The Isidro Guainora schools in the Emberá region (523 students); Cerro Cruz in the Ngäbe Buglé region (112 students); Manuel María Tejada Roca in Los Santos (1,527 students); and El Marañonal in West Panama (108 students) are some of the schools that will benefit.  “This administration is responding to one thing: the poor state of the infrastructure at the country’s various schools and our desire to ensure that children return to decent, suitable, and, above all, safe schools to receive lessons from their educators across the country,” President Mulino noted.

IMA’s First Mega-Fair Brought Producers Closer to Consumers

On another note, the Chief Executive announced that this past Friday, May 16, the first Mega Fair of the Agricultural Marketing Institute (IMA) was held at the Roberto “Mano de Piedra” Durán Arena that started at 6:00 a.m. With the participation of more than 15 producers, there was a significant amount of top-quality food at affordable prices for all Panamanians, such as rice for more than 7,500 people, and full-service bags priced between $5 and $10.  “I believe that with this, the National Government, through the IMA, continues its policy of bringing producers and consumers closer together directly, without the costs of intermediaries, with the goal of reducing the basic food basket,” he said.

Tourist Insurance Returns to Boost Tourism in Panama

President Mulino also announced that Panama will once again offer tourist insurance, as one of the strategies to boost the growth of the country’s “smokeless” industry.  To this end, the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) is in the process of holding a public event to achieve this incentive, so that every citizen—foreigner or Panamanian residing abroad who comes to visit Panama—has medical insurance for hospitalization or other care. This will be an added value for those visiting the country, which boasts a variety of attractions throughout the country.  “This will increase international tourism interest in Panama, while, with more tourists coming, it will generate more economic activity in bars, restaurants, taxis, and everything else that the tourism industry generates,” he said.

The Government has no “Pact of Impunity” with Anyone

Another topic addressed by President Mulino was his commitment to fighting corruption in the country, both during past administrations and by preventing new acts from occurring. He also stressed that the “few who enjoyed the party (under previous governments) that the vast majority of the people suffered” will be held accountable. In this regard, he explained that, during his administration, the current administration has filed 278 complaints of various kinds with the corresponding evidence and documentation before the Public Prosecutor’s Office.  “This is how it should be, and all officials have direct orders to report all suspected illegal acts.

I emphasize that this government has no pact of impunity with anyone, nor does it sleep in the same bed with those responsible for the robbery of public finances of the PRD government of Cortizo and Carrizo,” he said.  “Although the Public Ministry is an agency that does not report to the president, I will not, for that reason, refrain from expressing my opinion as a citizen and lawyer, asking the Public Ministry for greater speed and effectiveness so that it can act responsibly and investigate crimes. I do not investigate crimes. We, as a government, have fulfilled our duty to file complaints. From then on, the Public Ministry, together with the Judiciary, at the appropriate stage, will have to answer to the country why they are not moving forward or what obstacles there are in these investigations in order to produce results,” President Mulino stated.