In Santiago de Veraguas, since the rooster crowed, the Omar Torrijos Herrera stadium became a sea of people. Fourteen boxes were set up, with long but organized lines, and thousands of families arrived with patience to get their Christmas bag, that year-end relief so needed in Panamanian homes. Today is the third day of the Naviferia, and undoubtedly the busiest: it is estimated that between 27,000 and 30,000 people would be passing through the stadium during the day. Since the early morning, buyers with a coffee in hand, children sleeping on their shoulders, and reusable bags ready, have been gradually entering the fair, which has maintained a stable flow without disorder. The director of the Agropecuary Marketing Institute (IMA), Nilo Murillo, assured that the team has been '100% involved' in the comeback, reorganizing routes, boxes, and accesses due to the narrowness of some streets, but managing to make everything flow. 'Panama has received more than 108,000 baskets, and Santiago is not far behind.' Another buyer didn't complicate things: 'Excellent, brother,' he said, smiling while showing his products. In the first two days, 30,000 bags had already been sold in Santiago, and today they could reach the same figure again. A woman leaving with her bag said that 'the line moved quickly,' and that the price 'is worth it for what you get.' Authorities recommend not arriving at dawn to avoid unnecessary crowds, as the logistics are designed to proceed without setbacks. Christmas is felt, seen, and smelled in the lines… and in the hope of thousands of families who are taking a breath of fresh air home today. Everything is moving fast, people are calm… and happy producers are selling their potatoes, lettuce, and tomatoes,' he explained. The voice of the people was also heard loud and clear. Summing it all up, it is projected that the province will sell close to 60,000 Christmas bags before the event closes. Tomorrow will be the last day of the Naviferias, with points in Montijo and Mariato.
