The minister in charge of Economy and Finance, Fausto Fernández, presented the draft law for the General State Budget for the 2025 fiscal year totaling 6,709.3 million balboas. This proposal was delivered to the deputies in a detailed folder for them to review and ask pertinent questions.
The budget hearings will begin on Tuesday, October 22, at 9 in the morning, with the participation of the ministries of Education, Commerce and Industries, Public Works, and the Ministry of Agricultural Development. On Wednesday, October 23, they will continue with the ministries of Health, Labor and Labor Development, Housing and Territorial Planning, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Thursday, October 24, will correspond to the ministries of Government, Public Security, Social Development, and the Ministry of Environment. Meanwhile, on Friday, October 25, the ministries of Culture, Women, the Presidency, and Foreign Relations will appear.
In addition, entities such as IDAAN, the Decentralization Authority, the Social Security Fund, IFHARU, the Electoral Tribunal, the Judicial Authority, PANDEPORTES, UNACHI, the Attorney General's Office, and the Panama Maritime Authority were summoned.
The Budget Commission agreed to establish a methodology for the presentations of more than 90 institutions, allowing the commissioned deputies to have 30 minutes of participation, with a second round of equal time, and 5 minutes for deputies who are not part of the Budget Commission.
With a total amount of 26,835.2 million balboas, of which 20,125.9 million will be allocated to operations and the rest to investment, the Commission will begin the first debate on Bill 143 which regulates the General State Budget for the year 2025.
