Panama Council gives thumbs down to urban gardens plan

A Panama program for urban gardens, in charge of the mayor’s office, in coordination with the community boards was rejected by the Municipal City Council on Tuesday, September 29  although it had the backing of the Environment Committee NGOs, communities, and entities such as the Ministry of Agricultural Development.

The proposal presented by the representative of the Don Bosco district, Guillermo Bermúdez,

Only 7 councilors voted in favor, 10 against, and 2 abstained.

Bermúdez said it was very sad that the other councilors opposed the program to provide food security in the townships. In addition, the project was aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“It is unfortunate because they do not harm me, if not their own electors and communities,” said the representative of the Panameñista Party, who considered that the rejection was due to a political issue since most of the councilors belong to the Democratic Revolutionary Party.

The proposal proposes the use and exploitation of public spaces in the district to install orchards, as well as alliances between owners of land available for the development of crops.