A total of $16.9 million was moved in the Budget Committee of the National Assembly this Wednesday, highlighting the transfer of an allocation to the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) for some $10.1 million. The Deputy Minister of the MOP, Iván De Ycaza, who presented these requests, explained that the funds will be used to finance projects for the rehabilitation of streets and roads in Bocas del Toro; in Antón and Penonomé, Coclé province; as well as in the district of Alanje, in Chiriquí.
It also includes an allocation of $2.5 million for the maintenance and recovery of green areas, infrastructure, and roadways of the Coastal Belt 1 and 2.
Approval was also given for a transfer of an allocation for the maintenance and recovery of green areas, infrastructure, and roadways of the Coastal Belt 3, for an amount of $1.6 million.
The Panama Metro was approved for three budget transfers, which in total sum to $5 million. In this regard, the General Director of the Panama Metro, César Pinzón, detailed that these resources seek to reinforce the operating allocations in order to cancel pending commitments corresponding to the 2024 fiscal year. The funds will be used mainly for the maintenance of critical systems on Line 2 of the Metro, such as the energy system, the railway signaling system, and the trains; for the safe and efficient operation of this line that mobilizes 180,000 users daily.
Meanwhile, the Urban and Domiciliary Cleaning Authority (AAUD), received the approval of this legislative body to carry out a budget transfer of $486,000 for the payment of the Christmas bonus to officials of the entity. In this sense, Ovil Moreno Marín, administrator of the AAUD, informed that the requested transfer will benefit 2,430 officials, of which 610 are administrative and 1,820 are field officials.
The Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, obtained a budget transfer of $1.3 million, which according to the deputy director of this institution, María Eugenia Barnett de Antinori, aim to increase the corresponding resources for the expenses for the construction of the first phase of the Gorgas Campus.
The Budget Committee, chaired by Eduardo Vásquez, which is in permanent session, declared a recess until next Monday, when it is expected to process other pending budget transfers for consideration.
