Friday, June 16, 2023
Never has the world experienced such a compelling personality dreamt of or divined, as that of my Queen, Sayira. Always at the ready for the latest family adventure, always thinking ahead to our internal mini-celebrations and always happy to make us happy, she truly is the spark that keeps our family alive.
Last week, we all went on a quick adventure to my home state of Wisconsin. Well, first we stopped off at Chicago to visit the Field Museum, swim in sprinkles at the Museum of Ice Cream, eat deep dish pizza, watch the Taylor Swift concert from the rooftop of a neighboring building, watch the Navey Pier fireworks and go around their Ferris wheel, and get bludgeoned with insults at the Weiner Circle. Young Brandon was flipped off by one of the cute waitresses too, and all he did was say thanks for the hot dog… …check out the video:
Then it was on the Sparta-Elroy trail. I’ve found that maps don’t really give you the proper feel of distance; you truly need to ride the trail to understand what 20 miles is really like on a bicycle. The trail used to be a train path that passed through 3 tunnels. They decommissioned the trains and removed the tracks years ago, opening the possibility of locals and travelers an experience like no other. The temperature of the tunnels drops so drastically, that you can feel the cold from them at least 200 yards before arriving. The water filtrating through created these massive stalactites that need to be removed every now and again and the walls look and feel like slick marble. It’s cold enough to where you see your breath and the drops of “rain” cause chills on contact with exposed skin.
The next three days weren’t the greatest though as all of us got sick with the flu. First me, then Brandon, Sayira and Brett Jr in that order seemingly each within 12 hours of the other. I won’t go into the details, but if you’ve ever heard of Montezuma’s Revenge, all I can say is that he’s a worthy foe who I never want to meet up with again.
On our way back we took in a Brewer’s game. They lost to the seemingly paltry Oakland A’s 2-1 in overtime, but the game was still filled with excitement and a few amazing plays by both teams.
But alas, it was time to return. I think the only thing I don’t like about coming back to Panama is that gust of hot air we get coming off the plane while still on the tarmac. Wow, it gets hot out there, eh?
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Yoli’s Wisdom
WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY: LEARN WHICH BLOOD TYPES ARE MOST NEEDED
World Blood Donor Day.
Every June 14th, World Blood Donor Day is celebrated to express gratitude to all individuals who voluntarily donate blood and help save lives. It also aims to promote better measures to ensure universal access to safe blood transfusions.
In Panama, Elvin López has become one of these heroes since he made the decision to become a voluntary blood donor in 2001. Undoubtedly, the countless lives he has managed to save are remarkable.
\”I come every four months to donate and do it to help those in need. Additionally, they conduct blood tests here that allow me to know about my health,\” shared López, who currently works at the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).
During the months of April and May of this year, there was a slight increase in the number of donors, surpassing a thousand people.
\”Despite these figures, it is never enough, and this is a practice that should be encouraged, considering that blood is the only medicine that cannot be manufactured,\” emphasized Arthur Bradley, the medical technologist in charge of the Blood Donation Center at the Social Security Fund (CSS).
Bradley added that the most required blood type is O+, while O- and AB- are the most difficult to obtain.
Requirements
According to the Social Security Fund (CSS), the main requirements to be a blood donor are:
- Being in good health
- Being between 18 and 65 years old
- Having the time and willingness to donate blood
This process takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes and can be done at two centers of the institution located at:
- Via Ricardo J. Alfaro, above NiKo\’s Café, from Monday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, including national holidays.
- \”Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid\” Hospital Complex, located on Via Transístmica, with operating hours from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
READ HERE: DÍA MUNDIAL DEL DONANTE DE SANGRE: CONOZCA QUÉ TIPOS DE SANGRE SON LOS MÁS REQUERIDOS
ENSA, WITHOUT POWER: SECTORS IN COLÓN AND SAN MIGUELITO GET READY!
ENSA, without power: Areas in Colón and San Miguelito, get ready!
Elektra Noreste S.A. (ENSA) has announced that they will carry out various power supply interruptions on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in different sectors of the Colón province and the San Miguelito district. These are maintenance works by the company to ensure reliable energy supply to all homes in our concession area.
In the San Miguelito district, Amelia Denis de Icaza and Pan de Azúcar townships will experience a 4-hour power outage (9:30 a.m. – 01:30 p.m.). ENSA explains that the task involves maintenance work on the electrical network.
In the Colón province, there will also be interruptions in the following townships:
- Cristóbal: 09:00 a.m. – 01:00 p.m.
- Coco Solo: 09:00 a.m. – 01:00 p.m.
- Escobal: 11:00 a.m. – 03:00 p.m.
A total of 1945 customers are expected to be without electricity for 4 to 5 hours.
ENSA Communiqué
Meanwhile, in the Ancón township, Panama district, the Camino de Cruces residential area will be affected by a power outage due to maintenance work by ENSA for a duration of 5 hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
READ HERE: ENSA, SIN LUZ: SECTORES EN COLÓN Y SAN MIGUELITO ¡PREPÁRENSE!
CUSTOMS INFORMS TRANSPORTERS OF RULES FOR ENTERING EL SALVADOR
Customs.
The National Customs Authority informs international land freight transporters that starting from Saturday, July 17, every cargo unit entering El Salvador will be required to have a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, which has three designated placement points in Panama.
Customs: Placement points for labels in Panama
- Curundú in the former Customs headquarters.
- Regional administration of the Central and Azuero Zone located in Divisa.
- Paso Canoas.
What are radio frequency tags?
Radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags are intelligent tags that store data to be transmitted via radiofrequency to RFID readers or antennas. The tags, also known as Smart Labels, are responsible for communicating with scanners to identify the history of a product.
This innovative technology enables the streamlining of management and inventory processes, as well as the prompt entry and exit of goods from one location to another.
READ HERE: ADUANAS INFORMA A TRANSPORTISTAS REGLAS PARA INGRESAR A EL SALVADOR
WHAT WILL BE THE MISSION OF THE FIRST PANAMANIAN SATELLITE?
The Pansat mission marks a milestone for Panamanian space sciences.
Panama took a significant step in space exploration on Thursday with the presentation of the Pansat mission, corresponding to the satellite project \”CubeSat Panama.\”
The launch marks a milestone in the country\’s scientific and technological advancement, aiming to promote innovation, provide practical experience, contribute to the global space community, and inspire the next generation of Panamanian scientists and engineers.
Rodney Delgado, a researcher at the Technological University of Panama, recalls that Panama has been involved in space sciences since 2011, starting with the Astronomical Observatory.
According to Delgado, after completing some international procedures, the satellite design was initiated in March 2023 with the support of different institutions such as Senacyt, Ifarhu, the Italo-Latin American Institute, and AIG.
The expectation is to launch the satellite in the year 2025. Delgado emphasized that satellite technology is not developed overnight.
It requires a lot of work and analysis to build a satellite that can reach an orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers. Once this goal is achieved, the satellite will orbit the Earth and provide scientific data.
\”One of the payloads it will carry is an automatic vessel detection system. The idea is to know the location of different vessels, assisting in maritime traffic. Maritime affairs are very important to us,\” he highlighted.
Other countries in the region, such as Costa Rica and Guatemala, are a step ahead, having already launched satellites.
On the other hand, Margelia Palacios, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in this process and the trust built between national stakeholders and international partners.
This miniature satellite is an ultra-compact and standardized platform, measuring only 10 centimeters on each side, and is equipped with scientific instruments to facilitate various research missions and technological experiments. It allows researchers and engineers to validate new systems, components, and software algorithms in the harsh space environment.
READ HERE: ¿CUÁL SERÁ LA MISIÓN DEL PRIMER SATÉLITE PANAMEÑO?
UNDERWATER SAND EXTRACTION REJECTED IN COLÓN
The extraction of underwater sand in Colón has been rejected.
The Chamber of Commerce of the province of Colón has expressed its rejection of a project for the extraction of underwater sand, which would affect coastal communities. The complaints filed by environmental groups on the coasts of the community of Cacique in the district of Portobelo, in front of the Portobelo National Park, a protected area, have raised concerns among the community as it could have a negative impact on the area.
The groups reject the possibility of carrying out the sand extraction project in an area that was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.
There are 3 concession requests that aim to extract 14 million cubic meters of underwater sand (enough to fill 5,600 Olympic swimming pools). These 3 requests for underwater sand extraction are extremely close to the boundary of the Portobelo National Park, within its buffer zone.
Areas in Colón where they perform sand extraction
The first one is located directly on the boundary of the Protected Area, and the second and third are 1,500 meters away from the border. The combined area of the three concessions is 1,418 hectares of seabed.
\”The revised Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA-II-M-102-2023, p. 137) acknowledges an alteration of the seabed but does not consider the direct, indirect, and synergistic impacts on the nearby beaches and coral reefs, all of which are within the Portobelo National Park,\” stated the executives of the National Association for Nature Conservation.
The complaints focus on the serious damage to the ecosystem due to alterations in the seabed, water contamination from hydrocarbon leaks, and displacement of fauna, which all seem to be ignored.
The community in Colón sees the sand extraction as a danger and emphasizes that there is an international community that currently sees a World Cultural Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1980 at risk.
READ HERE: RECHAZAN EXTRACCIÓN DE ARENA SUBMARINA EN COLÓN
MINSA OPENS VACCINATION CENTER IN PARQUE OMAR
MINSA opens vaccination center in Parque Omar.
The Ministry of Health (MINSA) announced that from June 16th to Saturday, June 17th, they will open a Vaccination Center in Parque Recreativo Omar from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. They will be attending to adults, pregnant women, and children aged 6 months and older.
There will be two locations for the vaccination center. The Domo will serve the general public, while the clubhouse will be designated for Express vaccination, specifically catering to individuals with reduced mobility.
Vaccines available at the Center
- Influenza
- Bivalent (COVID-19)
- Pneumococcus
New batch of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine
This new batch of vaccines, which arrived in Panamanian territory on Wednesday, June 14th, will be distributed as follows: 30,240 doses for individuals aged 12 and older; 18,000 for children aged 5 to 11, and 6,000 for infants aged 6 months to 4 years.
Health authorities emphasize to the population that vaccines are available and encourage them to visit health centers and clinics throughout the country from Monday to Friday, starting at 7:00 a.m.
On Friday, June 16th, information will be provided to the population regarding the locations where off-site vaccination campaigns will take place nationwide. This will allow people to receive their bivalent or influenza doses and counteract respiratory viruses currently prevalent in the environment.
Recommendations by MINSA
The Ministry of Health reminds citizens who schedule an appointment to go to the vaccination center to bring their personal identification document, either their ID card or passport, as well as to wear comfortable clothing, preferably with short sleeves.
READ HERE: MINSA ABRE CENTRO DE VACUNACIÓN EN PARQUE OMAR
PANAMA AND THE REGION MEASURE RISK RESPONSE CAPACITY
Regional Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance Simulation, the first one for the country.
With at least one year of preparation in advance, emergency, security, and health teams from Panama and the region began on Tuesday, June 13, the III Regional Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance Simulation, the first one for the country.
The exercise aims to measure the response capacity of different emergency and rescue agencies in events such as a 7.5 earthquake on the Pedro Miguel Fault and Azuero Fault, oil spill, gas leak, structural fire, tropical wave, and other types of evacuations.
Several scenarios will be simulated, including earthquakes, collapsed structures, structural fires, oil spills, cyberattacks, and biological hazards. It was emphasized that this is only a practical exercise and not a real situation.
Specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from countries in the region will provide technical, logistical, and coordination support during 36 continuous and uninterrupted hours of work. They must be self-sufficient with specialized members from the five components: planning, search and rescue, administration, logistics, and medical.
All Central American countries, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Mexico, the United States, Argentina, Israel, and Japan are participating. Other countries will join virtually, as this activity is supported by the United Nations, PAHO, NASA, NOAA, among others.
Kasim Portugal, Head of the Emergency Department at the Ministry of Health (MINSA), highlighted the participation of the health team in this type of training exercise. Portugal clarified that it is a controlled situation and within established healthcare facilities, a simulation will be conducted in the administrative area without disrupting patient care.
At the epicenter of the event in the Amador area, national emergency medical teams are established. They are modules that function as temporary healthcare facilities, with a team composed of laboratory technicians, biomedical personnel, manual equipment, maintenance equipment, among others, which are part of the healthcare provision, explained Portugal.
This is the III Regional Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance Simulation, but the first one for multiple threats, which allows Panama to evaluate its emergency plans, coordination with international organizations, search and response capabilities, as well as other emergency services, detailed Lieutenant Colonel Ángel Delgado of the Panama Fire Department.
Continuous training is essential to identify capacities, strengths, and weaknesses so that the country can strengthen its team and provide assistance at a national and international level, said Delgado.
More than 600 units of the Panama Fire Department have been segregated from regular service nationwide, with 271 units in the capital city participating in different scenarios.
These units will participate in the simulation of an oil spill at a company under the Las Américas Bridge, with international observers and advice to verify the response capacity in such situations, as well as rapid coordination with the Panama Maritime Authority and other agencies with the guidance of the Panama Canal.
This is a simulated national-level situation aimed at having a prepared population in case of real events.
READ HERE: PANAMÁ Y LA REGIÓN MIDEN CAPACIDAD DE RESPUESTA ANTE RIESGOS
NATIONAL ECONOMIC CENSUS: ON WHAT DATES WILL IT BE CARRIED OUT?
National Economic Census.
The National Institute of Statistics and Census of the General Comptroller\’s Office announced the start of the VII National Economic Census, which begins its first stage with the updating of the Directory of Enterprises and Establishments. This stage will take place from August 1st to December 31st, 2023.
The first stage involves registering and collecting statistical data from businesses, establishments, and companies engaged in various economic activities within the country\’s borders.
National Economic Census: activities of enterprises
Among the activities included are forestry, industrial fishing, mining and quarrying, electricity generation and distribution, construction industry, wholesale trade, transportation, storage, and communication. Additionally, it covers manufacturing industries, hotels, restaurants, and related services.
Gerardo Solís, the General Comptroller of the Republic, highlighted that \”Panama requires this information, which will become a valuable reference for organizations and institutions responsible for designing the country\’s economic policy, as well as economists, industrialists, and traders who need to conduct market studies, economic and business projections, and diagnoses of the national economy.\”
The census will have a second phase consisting of a questionnaire with approximately 44 questions, including the location of the establishment, general data of the company, activities carried out, and other information that contributes to obtaining more accurate data collection from businesses nationwide.
READ HERE: CENSO NACIONAL ECONÓMICO: ¿EN QUÉ FECHAS SE REALIZARÁ?
MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION PASSENGERS TRANSITED THROUGH TOCUMEN AIRPORT DURING MAY
Tocumen International Airport.
It seems that passenger traffic through Tocumen International Airport is steadily recovering, as in the month of May, 1,458,009 passengers transited through Panama\’s main and most important airport. According to statistics, this represents an increase of 153,405 passengers compared to the same month in 2022.
Raffoul Arab, General Manager of Tocumen International Airport, pointed out that the performance in operations and passenger numbers involves multiple logistical challenges and the allocation of resources that have ensured the provision of competitive world-class airport services.
Regarding international connections, Tocumen maintained direct routes to 83 destinations in May, through 16 commercial airlines that offer services to major cities in the Americas and Europe.
The results for May indicate that out of the total number of passengers using Tocumen terminal, 76% were connecting passengers. Additionally, there were 11,834 aircraft movements.
According to data provided by the Statistics Department of Tocumen International Airport, the regional markets with the highest activity in May were South America with 44%, followed by North America with 28%, the Caribbean with 13%, Central America contributing 10%, and European markets with a 5% share.
Regional terminals and cargo
As for the cargo terminal, 17,517 metric tons of merchandise were transported during the fifth month of the year 2023.
On the other hand, the regional terminals Panamá Pacífico, Enrique Malek, Scarlett Martínez, and Enrique A. Jiménez, managed by Tocumen, S.A., recorded a traffic of 47,751 passengers and 1,942 aircraft operations in May.
Among the regional terminals, Panamá Pacífico had the highest activity with 28,426 processed passengers. Meanwhile, the domestic terminal operating in Terminal 2 processed 15,460 passengers.
READ HERE: MÁS DE 1.4 MILLONES DE PASAJEROS TRANSITARON POR EL AEROPUERTO DE TOCUMEN DURANTE MAYO
ROBOTICS REGIONALS: THE DISTRICTS THAT LEAD THE CONTEST
World Robotics Olympiad: The districts that lead the contest.
Regional robotics competitions were held at the Rubiano Institute with the participation of approximately 106 students from official and private educational centers in San Miguelito and Panamá Norte. The Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) reported that 38 robotics teams from primary, middle, and high school levels took part in the event.
Luis Oliva, the director of the Government Innovation Authority (AIG), expressed that their institution supports schools in acquiring robotics kits and trainers, aiming to achieve successful representation in the World Robotics Olympiad.
\”The work done by each of these students, along with their tutors, educators, and the support of parents, has been important in the development of this activity. In November, we will have the World Robotics Olympiad, providing young people with the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality,\” said Ariel Rodríguez, Deputy Minister of Education.
Schools participating in the regional robotics competitions
Some of the participating schools are: Instituto Rubiano, IPT San Miguelito, Academia Interamericana de Panamá, Howard Academy, Colegio Bilingüe de Cerro Viento, Colegio Bilingüe Los Ángeles, Centro Educativo Colinas de Las Cumbres, IPT Chilibre, Escuela Bilingüe La Cabima, Colegio Internacional El Caribe, and Centro Escolar San Miguel Febres Cordero, among others.
Marvin Castillo, president of Fundesteam, said, \”The second Regional Robotics Olympiad on the way to the World Robotics Olympiad is taking place thanks to the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, the Minister of Education, Maruja Gorday de Villalobos, and the First Lady, Yazmín Colón de Cortizo, who support this world-class event.\”
Regional Robotics: Activities for Friday, June 16
At the Fernando Guardia Jaén School, on June 16th, the projects from the Panama East, Darien, and Emberá Wounaan regionals will be presented. On June 20th, the Papa Francisco School will host the projects from Herrera and Los Santos. At the Padre Juan José Cánovas Educational Center, on June 23rd, the works from Veraguas and Coclé will be showcased.
For Bocas del Toro, projects will be received at IPT El Silencio on June 27th, while representatives from Chiriquí and the Ngäbe Buglé region can attend the Félix Olivares Contreras School on June 29th. At the Colegio Bilingüe de Panamá, the students\’ works from San Miguelito will be attended to on July 3rd. On July 5th, in Panama West, the candidates will be reviewed at Escuela República de Costa Rica.
In that school region, other robotics projects will also be attended to: on July 7th at Centro Educativo Visión del Saber, on July 11th at Colegio Javier in Panama City, on July 14th at Universidad Santa María La Antigua (USMA) for Panama City and the Kuna Yala region, on July 20th at Howard Academy in Panama West, and on July 28th at the Episcopal Institute San Cristóbal (Parque Lefevre) in Panama City.
Regional Robotics: Other activities in August 2023
On August 3rd, Panama East will be at the Thomas Jefferson Institute, and on the 11th, in Colón, at the Eben Ezer School (Paseo Marino).
Meanwhile, the national Olympics will take place from August 22nd to 24th, where the projects representing Panama in the international tournament will be chosen. The international tournament will be held from November 7th to 9th in our country at the Panama Convention Center. So far, more than 75 countries have confirmed their participation in the Robotics World Championship.
Over 500 teams have registered so far in different categories, totaling 1,597 students participating in this elimination round where the 16 educational regions of the country compete.
Present at the main table were the Deputy Minister, the Director of AIG, the representative of Fundesteam, the Regional Director of Education in San Miguelito, Jessenia Vega, and other special guests.
READ HERE: REGIONALES DE ROBÓTICA: LOS DISTRITOS QUE LLEVAN LA DELANTERA EN EL CONCURSO
TROPICAL WAVE: 8 PREVENTIVE MEASURES YOU SHOULD TAKE
Tropical Wave: 8 preventive measures you should take.
With the arrival of the rainy season, it is important for you as a citizen to be prepared for the occurrence of natural events such as a tropical wave. Therefore, there are several preventive measures you can take to ensure your safety.
Here are some important steps to follow in case of an alert or emergency due to natural disasters caused by rainfall.
Stay informed: Follow weather updates and listen to local news or weather reports to get the latest information about the tropical wave. Pay attention to any warning or alert issued by local authorities.
Furthermore, remember to create an emergency plan: Develop a family emergency plan that includes communication strategies, evacuation routes, and a designated meeting point. Ensure that all family members understand the plan and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Tropical Wave: Prevention Measures at Home
Secure your property: Eliminate any potential hazards from your surroundings. Trim tree branches, secure loose objects, and bring indoors or store any items that can be carried away by strong winds. Reinforce windows and doors, and consider installing storm shutters or using boards if necessary.
Stock up on supplies: Have an emergency backpack ready with essential supplies such as non-perishable food, drinking water, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, medications, and important documents. Make sure you have enough supplies for several days.
Plan for evacuation: If you live in a vulnerable area or if evacuation is recommended, plan your route and have alternative destinations in mind, such as staying with family or friends in a safer area or at a designated shelter. Ensure you have enough fuel in your vehicle and pack necessary items for the journey.
The importance of communication and following instructions
Communication: Keep your mobile phone charged and have a backup power source available. Share your contact information with family and friends and establish a communication plan in case of separation. Designate a contact person outside the area who can serve as a central point of communication.
Follow official instructions: Stay updated on evacuation orders or other directives from local authorities. If advised to evacuate or take specific actions, follow their instructions quickly and without hesitation.
Personal safety: Stay indoors during the storm and away from windows. If you need to go outside, use appropriate protective gear and avoid areas prone to flooding or other hazards. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges.
In Panama, a prevention advisory for the passage of Tropical Wave #5 has already been lifted. In the highlands of the Chiriquí province, hail has been reported.
READ HERE: ONDA TROPICAL: 8 MEDIDAS PREVENTIVAS QUE DEBES TOMAR
REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR THE NATIONAL ORATORY CONTEST 2023
Official launch of the National Oratory Contest 2023.
Presented by the National Energy Secretariat, the organization of the National Oratory Contest announced the official launch of this competition in its 18th edition with the central theme \”Energy Transition in Panama: An Opportunity for Sustainability, Democratization, and Economic Development of the Country.\”
According to the organizers, the regional competitions will be held in person in each of the country\’s 16 educational zones.
Starting this year, around 50 finalists will be chosen in the National Preselection stage. The grand final will take place on November 12th, where seven students will complete the winners\’ lineup. Registrations will be open from June 14th to June 27th on the website www.oratoria.com.pa.
The contest is supported by Más Móvil, Caja de Ahorros, and the Ministry of Education, in addition to a joint effort between the Office of the First Lady, IFARHU, the Panama Canal Authority, Liberty Latin America, and other government institutions, embassies, private companies, and media outlets.
Furthermore, the Oratory Rotating Cup will be launched, exclusively for the winning student\’s school. The cup will travel through the 16 educational regions during the Regional Preselection. The school that wins the competition for two consecutive years will have the privilege of keeping the cup at their educational institution.
For this year, there will be 35 days of training and preparation for finalists and teacher advisors at the National Oratory Academy, which will contribute to the scoring system used by the judging panel in the grand final.
READ HERE: COMIENZAN INSCRIPCIONES PARA EL CONCURSO NACIONAL DE ORATORIA 2023
CONTRACT WITH MINERA PANAMA WAS APPROVED BY THE CABINET COUNCIL
New contract with Minera Panama was approved by the Cabinet Council.
The National Government approved in the Cabinet Council the new contract with Minera Panama, following a period of public consultation determined by the State.
Minister of Commerce and Industries, Federico Alfaro, was authorized to sign it on behalf of Panama.
Now, the agreement will go through a referendum in the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic and, finally, to the National Assembly to be ratified by President Laurentino Cortizo.
The duration of the official document is set for 20 years with the possibility of extension, as long as no acts of corruption are proven within its functions.
Additionally, it establishes that a minimum amount of 375 million balboas is expected to be reached for each year of the contract\’s validity, 10 times more than stipulated in 1997.
READ HERE: CONTRATO CON MINERA PANAMÁ FUE APROBADO POR EL CONSEJO DE GABINETE
FUEL NEWS: WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PRICES FROM JUNE 16?
Fuel.
The National Energy Secretariat announced on Wednesday the new fuel prices that will come into effect starting from June 16th. In the provinces of Panama and Colon, the price of 95 octane gasoline will decrease by 0.06 cents per liter, while the price of 91 octane gasoline will decrease by 0.01 cents and diesel will decrease by 0.05 cents.
The prices presented will be valid until June 30th throughout the Republic of Panama
It is worth mentioning that every fourteen days the fuel prices are updated with the aim of contributing to public, collective, and selective transportation, promoting economic growth, generating employment, and advancing agriculture, livestock, industry, manufacturing, fishing, construction, trade, industry, and tourism, according to the Panamanian government.
Price changes are made based on the variations experienced by the respective import parity prices and the estimation of freight costs and reasonable marketing margins for each type of fuel.
READ HERE: NOVEDADES DEL COMBUSTIBLE: ¿QUÉ PASARÁ CON LOS PRECIOS A PARTIR DEL 16 DE JUNIO?
INFLUENZA: 13 DEATHS CONFIRMED IN PANAMA
Influenza: 13 deaths are confirmed in Panama.
On Wednesday, June 14th, the Ministry of Health confirmed three new deaths from influenza, recorded in the metropolitan region and the district of San Miguelito, bringing the total to 13 in the country, according to data from the Epidemiology and Surveillance System.
It is emphasized that none of these individuals had been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus. Among the victims are minors.
They invite older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses to get vaccinated against this and various common infections at health centers and polyclinics of the Social Security Fund.
Additionally, regarding children, parents are urged to keep their children from attending educational institutions if they show symptoms of a cold to prevent the spread of the virus in the classrooms.
Reports from the weekend\’s vaccination campaigns indicate that 18,000 people received the influenza vaccine.
READ HERE: INFLUENZA: 13 MUERTES SE CONFIRMAN EN PANAMÁ
STATUS UPDATE:
Saturday, June 10, 2023
PANAMA REPORTS A TOTAL OF 1,042,631 DETECTED CASES OF INFECTION AND 8,634 DEATHS BY COVID-19
- 1,042,631 positive cases
- 1,302 new cases
- 8,634 deaths
- 1,081 Home Isolation (0 Hospital Hotels)
- 71 are hospitalized (66 in ward / 5 intensive care)
- 1,032,845 clinically recovered.
Property Highlights:
I’m adding this video and information on this wonderful home for sale, to help out Cindy and Jim Meagher. It’s a great home in a wonderful location. Trust me when I say, they don’t want to leave, but due to pressing situations back home in Canada, they had no other option but to return and assist family. They’re doing what’s right; because they’re good people, and I’m more than happy to support these tough decisions.
The video is primarily in Spanish, but Cindy and Jim give their own blurb on what they loved about the property and if you take the time to watch it, I’m sure you’ll immediately want to buy it just like I did when I saw it. Wow, what a great place and so well-maintained!
Check it out! Their email address is jandcmeagher@gmail.com if you’re interested.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYC1-eknAwjdJufN2G23LMYk3_q4CmR7/view
END NOTES:
And to finish this week\’s article, here are some pictures of our vacations:
Brett Mikkelson, CII, CPE
Director, B.M. Investigations| M1 Consultants Inc
Mobile (+507) 6674-1183
brett@bminvestigations.com/www.bminvestigations.com
Proud Member of: Council of International Investigators (CII – Past President 2018-2019; Executive Regional Director 2021-Present), World Association of Detectives (WAD), The Fraternal Order of Investigators (Founding Member), Victory Services Club (London), Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA – Isthmian Chapter), Association of Certified Anti-money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Association of Fraud Examiners (AEF – Panama), Business Security Alliance (ASE – Panama).
