The Provincial Council of Panama held its December session, addressing pressing community issues: tourism, public security, and central government support. The meeting brought together around 60 representatives of districts and mayors from the province of Panama. Attendees included the Vice Governor of Panama, Yessenia Sánchez, and Ilvis Ayarza from the General Secretariat of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), as well as delegates from security and civil protection agencies and representatives of the National Assembly. According to the president of the Provincial Council, Dorindo Vega, the session focused mainly on tourism development, with several representatives presenting the potential of their districts to boost tourism projects. However, the council members made it clear that without logistical and financial support from the state, these plans cannot move forward. This concern was addressed by the ATP during the plenary session. In addition to tourism, recurring concerns were reiterated, such as rising insecurity and the need for greater financial backing from the government, especially regarding the contributions of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to municipalities, which—according to their complaints—are sometimes delayed beyond the established timeframe. Vega highlighted that the Provincial Council has become a key voice for small and remote districts like Chimán, enabling them to directly present their problems to national authorities who are invited monthly. 'It is difficult for many representatives to voice their concerns personally, and this space opens that door for them,' he emphasized.
