The President of the National Assembly of Panama, Jorge Herrera, defended the formation of legislative commissions through voting in the Plenary and assured that this mechanism must become the norm to avoid delays, unnecessary negotiations, and political blockages within the Legislative Branch.
«The will of the majority, expressed transparently, is the correct way to choose the commissions and avoid institutional paralysis,» stated Herrera, while maintaining that from that moment an «intense, constant, and uninterrupted» work began, which continued even during the legislative recess.
Law of Preferential Interest: «Fair and Necessary»
Among the main achievements of the first legislative period, Herrera highlighted the approval of the new law of preferential interest, stating that it responds to a real need of thousands of Panamanian families and represents a direct boost to the national economy.
According to his explanation, legal uncertainty had paralyzed more than 500 million dollars in real estate investments, caused the loss of more than 30,000 jobs, and left 10,000 families without access to housing.
«With the entry into force of this law, private investment is reactivated, mortgage loans return, and employment in the construction sector, one of the main engines of the economy, is recovered,» he emphasized.
Herrera also made a direct call to the Savings Bank and the National Bank to offer more competitive rates and reduce commissions, in order to maximize the economic impact of the regulation.
Budget Approved Without Obstructions
The President of the Legislature highlighted the responsible approval of the General State Budget and the budget of the Panama Canal, after holding 96 budgetary hearings, all of which were transmitted publicly and analyzed «figure by figure».
He recognized the work of the Budget Commission, chaired by Deputy Eduardo Vázquez, and highlighted that the budget was approved in the Plenary with 58 votes from all caucuses, including political parties and independent deputies.
«The country now has an investment plan that exceeds 11 billion dollars, destined to activate the economy and generate employment in each district,» he indicated.
Claim for Municipal Funds
Herrera requested a review of the more than 500 million dollars from the property tax that, he said, are owed to the municipalities for more than seven years, and demanded that these resources reach the 81 municipalities without discretion and with mandatory accountability.
«To the mayors and community boards, we ask them to unify criteria and put the population first,» he concluded.
