The Panamanian government is evaluating the implementation of a relief program for public, selective, and cargo transport amid a global increase in fuel prices driven by the Middle East conflict. Minister of Economy and Finance Felipe Chapman stated that the price of oil is already rising, affecting the transport sector. Minister of Government Dinoska Montalvo confirmed that transporters must provide technical information to determine possible support. Chapman emphasized that this depends on the price per barrel of oil. The day before, representatives of passenger and cargo transport had agreed not to pass on cost increases to users for the time being. Chapman warned that he hopes oil will not reach unsustainable levels of $200 per barrel or more. He did not specify the cost of the potential relief program, reiterating that its scope will depend on the behavior of the energy market. The minister stressed that there is no talk of increasing transport fares. In contrast, President José Raúl Mulino had previously ruled out the possibility of subsidizing fuel. Chapman reminded that the state already subsidizes the mass transport system. He detailed that the subsidy to the Metro of Panama was around $50 million before the crisis, a similar figure to MiBus. He noted that these amounts are dynamic and will depend on the price of oil. With this data, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will conduct the necessary calculations to propose a consensus alternative before April 1, when a new fuel price adjustment will be announced. In this context, Chapman expressed his expectation that the increase will be one that “we, as a country, can face,” and expressed his desire for the international conflict to be resolved soon. The decision was made on March 25 after a meeting with a high-level commission created by the Council of Ministers to monitor the situation and propose possible solutions to the rise in fuel prices. During the meeting, it was established that on Thursday, transporters would present detailed information on fuel consumption, routes, and subdivisions. Mulino had previously stated: “I do not foresee a subsidy from the government; I anticipate it: we are not here for that.”
