Friday, June 30, 2023
First of all, I didn’t get last week’s newsletter out to the Whatsapp group as I was in the process of changing phones from one carrier to another and upgrading phones as well. What a f$%&ing nightmare that’s been. Long story short… …sorry, eh! I hope you caught it on one of the other outlets.
Secondly, wow, what a week for us. On Sunday, I was working on my Honey-Do list. One of the tasks was to install a protective strip to the doors of our cars to avoid dings and damage to others from abruptly opening our doors. Anyways, I’m sitting on the ground with a rubber mallet in one hand and pliers in the other when suddenly this “Plop TWEET!” sound startled me. I swiveled to the right and saw this parakeet laying there on its back just 3 feet away. It had just fallen from the sky where this flock of several hundred parakeets were swarming around looking for their nests as they normally do in Panama around that time (530pm-ish). Knowing exactly what to do, I gently scooped him/her up and walked briskly to the house, into the kitchen area where Queen Sayira was blowdrying our spoiled maltipoo, Zeus. “Titi”, as I affectionately call her “Look!” She turned around and gasped, immediately forgetting about the dripping mop of a dog and scurrying to take things into her hands. She had that same, “Oh no, my child needs me” look on her face that I usually only see her have with animals, or at least not nearly as much as with our own kids. I think the bird was a female, as it immediately Munched on her finger when it didn’t do anything to me at all. You know, prolly cause I got that special touch wit da ladies. Anywho…. Apparently, rescuing this bird was the best thing that could have happened to us in a while. I had no idea, but that beautiful soul of a wife I’m fortunate enough to share a home with, has been keeping in some repressed emotions of pain and sorrow. Nearly 25 years ago, prior to us being a couple, she lost some parakeets that she had as pets. More than pets, they were a part of her home. No cages, no restrictions, they just stayed with her for company and a steady supply of food. Add a crafty neighborhood cat into the mix and disaster struck. She was forced to pick up the pieces and watch as the only survivor flew away from her in terror, never to be seen by her again.
Receiving this poor, chompy bird into her life was exactly what she needed. She sat there with this injured bird, crying for quite some time, while our oldest boy Brett Jr helped out by blowdrying Zeus (AKA Mr Drippy). The bird slowly regained its strength, spent the night with us and after eating some banana and getting a bath that it may or may not have wanted, a bloody-fingered Sayira decided it was time to see if it could take flight. And flight it took!! No sooner did she release it did it take off like a shot and then curved back spanning it wings fully chirping and squawking like crazy, probably calling out to its crew, and they immediately answered. And she was gone. (Yes, “she”.) Later that Monday evening, Sayira told me how much it meant to her to have had the opportunity to save that one mini being. It was for her, in a sense, a way of vindicating herself from what happened so long ago. She had always unjustly blamed herself for that massacre so many years ago. There’s nothing better than to watch as a loved one is able to win over their own demons.
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Yoli’s Wisdom
ATTT’S PHOTO TRAFFIC TICKETS BY EMAIL BEGIN IN JULY
ATTT\’s photo traffic tickets by email begin in July.
Starting from July 1, 2023, the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT) will begin the notification process via email for infractions captured through the \”Foto Multa\” system. The project was announced by the Authority through a press release.
According to the press release, the ATTT clarified that this measure will be implemented as a trial and will not result in financial penalties. Additionally, the statement adds that this initiative is part of a plan to raise awareness among drivers.
The objective of the Transit Authority is to prevent actions such as:
- Blocking intersections
- Stopping on a pedestrian crossing
- Running a red light
- Making unauthorized turns
The institution responsible for traffic in the country reiterates in the press release that this measure will be carried out as a trial and will not result in any fines, penalties, or monetary charges.
In addition, it outlines the steps to follow in the notification and verification process of the infringement, such as sending the notification via email. It explains that the email will contain the control number and a web link that will allow the offender to access the site and verify the committed infringement.
According to the ATTT, the email will provide the driver with the opportunity to review the validated infringement in digital format, including photos and vehicle details, so that they can understand the nature of the violation virtually.
READ HERE: FOTO MULTAS DE LA ATTT POR CORREO ELECTRÓNICO INICIA EN JULIO
UTP IS POSITIONED AS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD
UTP is positioned as one of the best in the world.
The Technological University of Panama (UTP) has moved up in the global rankings, reaching the range of 951-1000 compared to last year, maintaining its position among the best universities worldwide. This achievement was highlighted in the latest ranking presented by the British consulting firm QS Quacquarelli Symonds (QS World University Rankings), 2024 edition.
The evaluated aspect that contributes the most to this positioning is the recognition it enjoys from employers.
Through a statement from the higher education institution, it explains that in this global QS ranking, which covered 104 countries, around 3,000 universities were evaluated, of which only 1,499 qualified as the best higher education institutions.
UTP recorded scores above the global average for universities in terms of Faculty/Student Ratio and Employer Reputation.
Objectives of UTP for the country
In the words of Dr. Ángela Laguna Caicedo, Acting Rector of UTP, the obtained results indicate that the university\’s main interest is to provide the country with professionals of high academic and ethical excellence. She also mentions that for a medium-sized university with a limited budget like UTP, it is gratifying to receive this type of worldwide recognition.
Furthermore, she reaffirms the administration\’s commitment to raising the standards of quality and focusing on the regional and global environment.
The prestigious QS World University Rankings is considered one of the most impactful rankings worldwide. For the year 2024, it assesses nine (9) aspects: Employer Reputation, Faculty/Student Ratio, Academic Reputation, Citations per Faculty, International Faculty Ratio, International Student Ratio, Graduate Employability, Research Network, and Sustainability.
READ HERE: UTP SE POSICIONA COMO UNA DE LAS MEJORES EN EL MUNDO
KOREANS EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES ON WASTE
Korean mission visited the Cerro Patacón landfill.
A mission from Korean companies visited the Cerro Patacón landfill as part of a collaboration between the Embassy of Korea, the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Panama Cleaning Authority (AAUD).
The working visit of the delegation from the Republic of Korea took place from June 26th to 28th, 2023, and involved entrepreneurs and government personnel responsible for solid waste management in their country.
The objective of this visit is to exchange experiences, which will be strengthened through dialogue and a technical presentation by the Korean mission to the National Cleaning Commission (Conaseo).
During the mission, a visit to the Cerro Patacón landfill was conducted, and two technical meetings will also take place.
One of the meetings will involve technicians from MiAmbiente and other related institutions, while the other will involve Conaseo.
On the first day, the delegation toured the Cerro Patacón landfill, accompanied by technical staff from Panamanian institutions, to provide the Korean mission with first-hand knowledge of the landfill\’s operations, disposal points, and recycling stations.
The Cerro Patacón landfill is a state matter that has a strategic action plan in which MiAmbiente, the Ministry of Health (Minsa), and the AAUD are participating to ensure the proper management of the landfill.
A few days ago, the Cabinet Council approved the temporary contract between the AAUD and three companies that will provide the service of collecting, transporting, and disposing of urban, commercial, and household waste at the Cerro Patacón landfill in three zones of Panama City.
The Covella Panamá Consortium will provide services in Zone 1, which includes the districts of San Felipe, El Chorrillo, Santa Ana, Calidonia, Curundú, Ancón (excluding the Panama Canal Authority), Bella Vista, Betania, and Pueblo Nuevo.
Metropolitana de Aseo, S.A. E.S.P. EMA will be responsible for waste collection, transportation, and final disposal services in Zone 2, which includes the districts of Río Abajo, San Francisco, Parque Lefevre, Juan Díaz, and Don Bosco.
Meanwhile, Pronto Aseo, S.A. will provide the same services in Zone 3, which comprises the districts of Chilibre, Las Cumbres, Alcalde Díaz, Ernesto Córdoba, and Caimitillo.
The AAUD will be in charge of Zone 4, which includes the districts of Pacora, San Martín, Las Mañanitas, 24 de Diciembre, Las Garzas, and Pedregal.
READ HERE: COREANOS INTERCAMBIAN EXPERIENCIAS EN TEMA DE DESECHOS
ON THIS DATE, THE COURSES OF THE PANAMA CITY MUNICIPALITY BEGIN
Courses of the Mayor\’s Office of Panama.
The Training Department of the Social Management Directorate of the Panama City Municipality has set a date for the start of its 16 free courses, from July 10th to November 24th, 2023. The training will take place at the Las Américas building located in Calidonia.
What courses are available?
Sewing classes, creation of stylized dresses, ribbon and bow embroidery, cutwork, pearl tembleques (traditional Panamanian hair accessories), fish scale tembleques, interior decoration, children\’s event decoration, fluid art and fabric painting, making Christmas arrangements, creating miniature trees, fine jewelry, headbands and bows, jute recycling, and cardboard crafts.
Alcaldía de Panamá.
This is the registration process
Interested individuals, both men and women, can register by making phone calls to the number 519-9937, contacting the municipal staff via email at capacitacion_dsocial@municipio.gob.pa, or by visiting the office of the Training Department located at the Las Américas building.
This week, over 300 residents from the districts of Calidonia, Santa Ana, El Chorrillo, and San Felipe completed various training programs that began in March.
READ HERE: EN ESTA FECHA INICIAN LOS CURSOS DE LA ALCALDÍA DE PANAMÁ
SOCIAL SECURITY WOULD BE WITHOUT FUNDS FOR PENSION PAYMENTS IN JANUARY 2024
Social Security Fund.
Since August of last year, the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, has not appointed the third actuary to complete the actuarial technical board of the Social Security Fund (CSS), which is responsible for providing recommendations on how much money should be transferred from reserves to the defined benefit program used to pay retirees, stated Aida Michelle de Maduro, a member of the Board of Directors of the institution.
She added that they have been insisting to the President every month since last year about the importance of appointing this actuary so that recommendations can be made on such an important issue.
\”I see no reason not to appoint this missing actuary, other than using the excuse that if the actuarial technical board does not define how much should be transferred to the reserves, they will not run out because without that, the Board of Directors cannot authorize the director to make the transfer,\” she said.
The CSS\’s latest actuarial reports were presented from 2018 to the present, which means that there are no reports from 2012 to 2017, she indicated.
Reserves will be depleted in January 2024
Regarding the statements that the reserves to pay CSS retirees will be depleted next January, the board of directors of this institution stated that it is a critical issue that will not be resolved simply by the government saying that the funds to pay pensions will come from somewhere.
They added that recently the Vice President of the Republic, José Gabriel Carrizo, mentioned that this problem will be solved with funds received from a new mining contract. However, this contribution will only amount to $179 million per year, while the shortfall to cover these pension payments is around $1 billion.
They further explained that annual worker-employer contributions amount to approximately $1.6 billion, while payments amount to around $2.2 billion per year, resulting in a yearly deficit of approximately $600 million that needs to be covered.
The Social Security Fund should have three actuaries who are responsible for providing recommendations on the matter.
They explained that in the case of individuals enrolled in the defined benefit plan of the CSS, what happened was that when the modification was made to transition to the mixed system, it was established that the government\’s contributions to merge both programs would be around $400 million.
\”When Law 51 was approved in 2005, it was established that the contributions would be $140 million, but the contributions have not been at that level,\” she stated.
Maduro added that one of the problems that is occurring is that fewer people are contributing to the CSS, while those who are receiving pensions are living longer than projected after retirement, which was initially estimated to be between 10 to 12 years.
Amend the law
Regarding the possibility of making better use of the funds that can be invested from the CSS to generate greater benefits, Aida Michelle de Maduro argued that the institution\’s own law has limitations.
Specifically, she asserted that the law itself specifies how much can be invested and in which institutions this can be done.
She noted that as a Board of Directors, they requested President Cortizo to modify the CSS law; however, he never embraced these recommendations, and it remained as a mere note sent to him.
\”The law needs to be modified so that the funds of the Social Security Fund can generate better returns. As it stands, the law only allows investment in state banks, which is why the Social Security funds are only in the National Bank and the Caja de Ahorros (Savings Bank),\” she emphasized.
She explained that the percentage of return this generates for the Social Security Fund is only around 1% or 2%.
The board member detailed that 70% of the operating funds of the Savings Bank come from the reserves of the Social Security Fund.
\”This means that if the pension program goes bankrupt and funds need to be withdrawn from the Savings Bank, this financial institution would also go bankrupt.\”
In light of this, Michelle de Maduro said that with the funds invested by the CSS in the Savings Bank, at the very least, the health institution should have a seat on the bank\’s board of directors, which is not the case.
The expert commented that she doesn\’t know what the government of President Laurentino Cortizo will do in January 2024 regarding the impending crisis over pension payments. If a solution to the problem is not sought, many Panamanians will be left unable to receive their pensions.
READ HERE: SEGURO SOCIAL ESTARÍA SIN FONDOS PARA EL PAGO DE PENSIONES EN ENERO 2024
LINE 3 OF THE METRO: WHAT IS ITS PROGRESS PERCENTAGE?
Metro Line 3.
As of now, the construction of Line 3 of the Metro has reached a progress percentage of 39%, as reported by the official social media page of Panama\’s Metro transportation.
The project includes over 603 rail beams in Arraiján, in the province of Panama Oeste, indicating that the construction of the tunnel, which will pass beneath the Panama Canal and connect the monorail from Albrook Station on Line 1 to Panama Pacific Station, is set to begin soon.
\”The viaduct where the monorail will run is already distinguishable in several construction points such as San Bernardino, Vista Alegre, Burunga, and Loma Cová,\” announced the Metro on social media.
Metro Line 3: Learn more about the project
Line 3 of the Metro is one of the ambitious projects currently being developed in the country, and it will benefit thousands of residents in Panama Oeste.
It will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will extend to the Ciudad del Futuro area in the Arraiján district, where the yards and workshops of the line will be located. The second phase will extend to La Chorrera.
READ HERE: LÍNEA 3 DEL METRO: ¿CUÁL ES SU PORCENTAJE DE AVANCE?
CHILDREN WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO TRAVEL FOR SURGERIES
Facilities of the High Complexity Pediatric Hospital at the City of Health.
Panamanian children will no longer have to travel abroad for complex surgeries, as announced by the Social Security Fund (CSS).
Now, they will be able to undergo surgeries at the High Complexity Pediatric Hospital at the City of Health, which is recognized as the best facility in the region.
It was reported that the hospital will perform cardiac, spinal, and neurosurgery procedures. Additionally, it will offer specialties such as pediatric gastroenterology, neurology, pulmonology, pediatric psychiatry, endocrinology, and hemodialysis, among others.
The hospital will also have 196 beds in the neonatology, surgical hospitalization, and pediatric clinic services.
Likewise, it will have an intensive care and semi-intensive care unit for complex cases, seven operating rooms, one of which is dedicated to burn victims, and a modern physical rehabilitation center with therapeutic equipment.
\”Panamanian children will have a dignified place to receive medical care,\” said Enrique Lau Cortés, Director General of the CSS, during a tour of these modern facilities, which are 96% complete and are expected to be delivered by August 30th.
According to Lau, he visited the Intensive Care Unit area and has not seen anything like it in the entire region.
Children\’s stories such as Little Red Riding Hood, Pinocchio, The Three Little Pigs, and other characters are depicted on the walls of the hospital to make children feel comfortable and emotionally engaged.
In this hospital, the concept of hospital gowns will be replaced with pajamas featuring designs of children\’s stories, allowing the young patients to feel comfortable with their favorite characters.
READ HERE: NIÑOS YA NO TENDRÁN QUE VIAJAR PARA REALIZARSE CIRUGÍAS
MAYOR ANNOUNCES FREE ROSS BANDASS SESSIONS
Panama City Hall announces Ross Bandass\’ free program.
The Municipality of Panama, in collaboration with the Women\’s Office, announces the free Ross Bandass program on the last Sunday of every month at Urracá Park, located on Balboa Avenue at the beginning of the Cinta Costera 1, starting at 10:00 a.m.
According to Ross Bandass, this is a program of physical exercises with elastic bands that are fun, intense, quick, and effective, suitable for people of all fitness levels.
The instructor shared that these exercises help individuals increase strength, lose weight, gain muscle mass, and shape and tone their bodies. They are specially designed for women, are free of charge, and last about 45 minutes.
On the past Sunday, the first class had the participation of 14 women who enjoyed the exercises and the strengthening of their muscles for 45 minutes.
The participants expressed their gratitude to the municipality for this opportunity and expressed their satisfaction with the routine.
Fátima, one of the participants, said, \”These exercises are powerful and musculally productive, very good, and I recommend them to all women.\”
READ HERE: ALCALDÍA ANUNCIA SESIONES DE ROSS BANDASS GRATIS
FIREFIGHTERS REINFORCE PROGRAM ON SAFETY IN BUILDINGS
Inspectors are distributing flyers with the list of systems and documentation that every building must comply with.
Inspectors from the National Directorate of Security, Prevention, and Fire Investigation (Dinasepi) of the Honorable Fire Department toured points in Costa del Este, San Francisco, Bella Vista, and Avenida Balboa on Thursday.
The visits aim to remind apartment owners, staff, and building administrators of the obligation to comply with the established safety measures for buildings, with the objective of preventing fires and ensuring human safety.
These measures include means of egress such as stairs, elevators or escalators, and evacuation routes, electrical generators, fire detection and alarm systems, firefighting systems, gas systems, smoke extraction and stair pressurization equipment, among others, with up-to-date certifications from the BCBRP.
The mobilization of Dinasepi inspectors is part of the \”Mi Edificio Seguro\” (My Safe Building) program aimed at fire prevention in buildings through proper and periodic maintenance.
Major Liborio Montenegro, acting director of Dinasepi, explained that inspectors are distributing flyers with a list of the systems and documentation that every building must comply with.
Subsequently, they will verify compliance with active systems, maintenance, and certifications of the equipment used for fire prevention.
Each building must have certifications issued by qualified professionals and companies duly registered with the Technical Board of Engineering and Architecture in the BCBRP, in compliance with existing regulations in Panama, as well as the standards and codes of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), reiterated Montenegro.
The flyer is delivered to the administrators and boards of directors of horizontal property, who are responsible for the maintenance of fire prevention and extinguishing systems in each building, in accordance with Executive Decree No. 142, stated Major Montenegro.
Furthermore, he reminded that all occupants and apartment owners, building staff, and administrators must increase their efforts to develop effective solutions with qualified personnel focused on fire prevention.
The \”Mi Edificio Seguro\” program includes the minimum necessary aspects to establish a reasonable level of fire safety and human security, as well as adequate protection of property against the increasing risks posed by fires, explosions, or hazardous conditions.
READ HERE: BOMBEROS REFUERZAN PROGRAMA SOBRE SEGURIDAD EN EDIFICIOS
ROAD CLOSURES FOR 23 DAYS: WHICH DISTRICTS WILL BE AFFECTED AND AT WHAT TIME?
Road closures for 23 days: Which sectors will be affected and at what times?
The districts of Pueblo Nuevo, Bella Vista, and San Francisco, in the district of Panama, will have road diversions due to the street closure established until July 15, 2023. The closure is necessary for the works carried out by the Panama Sanitation Program, which previously announced a 23-day road closure.
The program administrators have informed that the works will be carried out from Monday to Saturday, during two daily schedules: from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. The affected sectors in the mentioned districts are Vista Hermosa, Fernández de Córdoba Avenue, Vía Brasil, and Obarrio.
Cleaning of Matasnillo River in the Sanitation of the Bay program.
Let\’s remember that the Bay Sanitation program began today with geotechnical work in the Miraflores community, Betania district, as part of the cleaning plan through a collector for the Matasnillo River, as reported by Paulette de Vicente, program administrator. Personnel from the Transit and Land Transportation Authority (ATTT) arrived at the site as a section will be affected.
Panama Sanitation announces that no work will be carried out on public holidays, in order to maintain the well-being of the community and its residents. Additionally, preventive security measures will be implemented in the direct influence area.
The authorities explained that they will install a collector to prevent discharges from continuing into the Matasnillo River. Instead, they will be collected in the collector that will culminate at the Remón Cantera School, located in Paitilla. From there, they will pass through a tunnel already constructed by the Bay Sanitation program and reach the Matías Hernández pumping station, which is near the Southern Corridor. The water will then be carried through a pressurized pumping line to the Juan Díaz treatment plant, which has the capacity to treat this water.
READ HERE: CIERRE DE VÍAS POR 23 DÍAS: ¿QUÉ CORREGIMIENTOS SE VERÁN AFECTADOS Y EN QUE HORARIO?
FIVE NEW DEATHS CAUSED BY INFLUENZA THIS WEEK
Five new deaths this week caused by influenza.
550 positive cases and 5 new deaths from influenza are announced by the Ministry of Health (Minsa) in the latest report issued by the Department of Epidemiology with updated data from Week No. 25.
The deaths are attributed to both type A and type B viruses, totaling 22 deaths, including 13 males and 9 females, ranging in age from 4 to 82 years old. Of the 22 deceased individuals, 18 were not vaccinated.
90% of the deaths (20 out of 22) had risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, pulmonary, renal, neurological, immunosuppression, and other diseases.
Influenza: Regions where deaths were recorded
Minsa.
Extramural campaigns will continue during weekends at shopping centers and vaccination centers nationwide. It has been reported that coordination is underway with the Panama Metro to set up vaccination stations at the stations.
Authorities emphasize that the population must continue to adhere to the biosecurity measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as frequent handwashing, wearing masks in crowded places, especially for individuals over 60 years old and those with chronic conditions, to prevent infection. They also urge people to get vaccinated against influenza in order to reduce and counteract cases.
READ HERE: CINCO NUEVAS DEFUNCIONES DEJA ESTA SEMANA LA INFLUENZA
SECURITY FORCES DESTROY MORE THAN 1,000 FIREARMS
Firearms for destruction.
A total of 1,020 firearms of various types and calibers, seized in different operations by the country\’s police and judicial authorities, were destroyed during the 37th firearms destruction ceremony at the headquarters of the National Police in Ancón.
The destroyed weapons included 165 pistols, 772 revolvers, 45 shotguns, 14 rifles, six pellet guns, four nipple guns, one carbine, six rifles, one submachine gun, five muskets, and one submachine gun.
The figure includes 349 firearms confiscated from criminal activities, 642 firearms owned by the National Police currently out of use, and others from the National Aeronaval Service also out of use.
This action is part of the program \”Pacificando Mi Barrio Construyendo el Futuro\” (Pacifying My Neighborhood Building the Future), which began in December 2021. To date, it has paid a total of B/.233,610.20 to citizens who voluntarily surrendered a total of 721 firearms, 57,555 rounds of ammunition, 322 explosives, 657 magazines, and 176 accessories, concluded García.
During the current administration, a total of 34,194 firearms, 470,691 rounds of ammunition, 7,323 magazines, 278 accessories, and 4,858 explosive devices have been destroyed.
READ HERE: ESTAMENTOS DE SEGURIDAD DESTRUYEN MÁS DE 1,000 ARMAS DE FUEGO
CABINET APPROVES EXTENSION OF CUSTOMS TARIFF TO IMPORT MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Cabinet Council.
On Tuesday, the Cabinet Council approved the extension, for an additional 6 months, of the decrees that modify the customs tariff for importing medical supplies and personal hygiene and biosafety products to alleviate the economic impact generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cabinet Decree No. 7 of 2020, which established a 0% tariff, aims to provide economic relief to obtain the aforementioned inputs at affordable prices and in the necessary quantities, as indicated by the Presidency of the Republic in its statement.
In addition, the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) was authorized to contract a new company for the execution of the project for the study, design, and construction of the Chumico – Alto Tolica – Guayabito road, in the Ngäbe-Buglé region. The road spans 18.6 kilometers and benefits over 6,500 inhabitants.
The decision by the Council was made as a result of the MOP\’s administrative resolution to terminate the contract awarded to the company Inprodec, S.A. After 471 days of implementation (16 months), the company had only achieved a 20.23% physical progress, while a 68% progress was scheduled for that date.
READ HERE: GABINETE APRUEBA LA EXTENSIÓN DE ARANCEL ADUANERO PARA IMPORTAR SUMINISTROS MÉDICOS
PANAMA AND THE NETHERLANDS ESTABLISH CUSTOMS AGREEMENT
Signing of customs memorandum between Panama and the Netherlands.
The Director General of the National Customs Authority, Tayra Barsallo, and her counterpart from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Nanette Van Schelven, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation and application of the General Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
This memorandum establishes how the aforementioned agreement, which was signed in 2021, will be applied, particularly in areas such as information exchange and investigative services. These documents will enable the administrations of both countries to effectively combat customs offenses that are detrimental to the economic, fiscal, and commercial interests of both nations.
Such cooperation requires and demands a high level of mutual trust, which can only be built through deepening bilateral commitment and the establishment of comprehensive frameworks and information exchange structures with mandatory guarantees of data privacy and security.
Present at this meeting was Elizabeth Ward Neiman, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with her team.
READ HERE: PANAMÁ Y LOS PAÍSES BAJOS ESTABLECEN ACUERDO ADUANERO
SENAN: DIRECTOR OF THE NAVAL BASE IN COLÓN REMOVED FROM OFFICE
SENAN: The director of the naval base in Colón is removed from the position.
Minister of Security Juan Manuel Pino announced that the director of the Naval Superior Institute of the naval base in Colón has been suspended from his position while investigations are carried out regarding the incidents involving several cadets of the National Aeronaval Service (SENAN).
The decision by the Ministry of Security (MINSEG) to remove the director of the naval base from his position comes after it was revealed that SENAN cadets were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, allegedly due to excessive physical activity. The entity informed Telemetro Reporta that an investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of this condition among the cadets.
\”The young cadets, thank God, have been progressing well. Two of them were discharged yesterday, and two more today,\” Minister Pino revealed.
If any wrongdoing is found regarding the events at the SENAN naval base in Colón, Minister Pino emphasizes that appropriate corrective measures will not be ruled out. \”We are closely monitoring the situation since the first day when Director Cárdenas reported the incidents involving the cadets,\” the minister explained.
Cadets affected by excessive exercise: What is rhabdomyolysis?
Clinical physician Robin Ramos explains that rhabdomyolysis involves the breakdown of damaged muscles, leading to the release of muscle cell contents into the bloodstream. There are various risk factors, including excessive heat exposure, intense physical exertion, and muscle trauma resulting from crushing injuries, such as from a fall.
Symptoms may include muscle pain, weakness, and dark brown or tea-colored urine, although not everyone experiences all of these symptoms.
This condition can be treated with intravenous fluid administration. In many cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause organ damage, particularly to the kidneys, which may require additional treatments such as renal dialysis, emphasized Dr. Robin Ramos, the clinical physician.
READ HERE: SENAN: SEPARAN DEL CARGO A DIRECTOR DE LA BASE NAVAL EN COLÓN
ACODECO APPLIED VARIOUS SANCTIONS FOR MORE THAN 300 THOUSAND DOLLARS, WHAT IS THE REASON?
Acodeco.
According to the Fine Board of the Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition (Acodeco), a total of 105 penalties, amounting to $303,000 in the first instance, have been imposed to date for non-compliance with Law 24 of 2002 on credit history.
Among the most penalized economic activities are the following:
- Banks: 35 penalties totaling $82,900
- Used car sales: 1 penalty of $50,000
- Financial institutions: 21 penalties totaling $48,300
- Cooperatives: 11 penalties totaling $43,700
- Collection agencies: 14 penalties totaling $32,000
- Telecommunications: 10 penalties totaling $21,000
The entity indicated that any erroneous, inaccurate, misleading, incomplete, outdated, or false data regarding any credit information or economic, financial, banking, commercial, or industrial transaction recorded in a consumer\’s credit history would allow them to file a complaint to have it rectified or removed.
READ HERE: ACODECO APLICÓ DIVERSAS SANCIONES POR MÁS DE 300 MIL DÓLARES ¿CUÁL ES EL MOTIVO?
IDAAN REPORTS ACP MAINTENANCE WORK: WHERE WILL THERE BE NO WATER?
IDAAN reports maintenance work of the ACP.
The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) informs that, due to maintenance work in Miraflores, the supply of drinking water will be suspended in Balboa and Arraiján from 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will carry out maintenance on the drinking water systems, as announced by IDAAN.
IDAAN: Affected areas
- El Tucán.
- Howard.
- Rodman.
- Finca de Tanques de Arraiján.
- Calidonia.
- Chico La Montaña y alrededores.
- Arraiján.
- High Service Panamá.
- HS1 y HS2.
- Calle J.
- Ancón.
- Curundú.
- Avenida Nacional.
- San Miguel.
- La Exposición.
- Low Service Balboa.
- Amador.
- El Chorrillo.
- Santa Ana.
- Casco Viejo.
IDAAN recommends that residents in the affected areas take the necessary measures to prevent water shortage in these communities.
The Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers reminds that reports of water shortage, pipe damage, and other information can be made through the number 311 and through social media channels. This will enable the necessary repairs to be carried out.
READ HERE: IDAAN INFORMA TRABAJOS DE MANTENIMIENTO DE LA ACP: ¿DÓNDE NO HABRÁ AGUA?
END NOTES:
In Panama, about 1,010 species of birds have been recorded to date, of which about 12 are considered endemic, meaning that they only exist in our country.
Birds play important roles in ecosystems, such as the regeneration and maintenance of the forest through seed dispersal and pollination; they also act as biological controllers of insect species that are generally considered pests.
Economically, birds also represent a valuable resource of the country, since thanks to its great diversity, it is of great interest for bird watching, an activity that generates important benefits to the local economy.
The following are some of the species found in Panama:
Bananaquit
The Bananaquit inhabits a variety of habitats from scrubland to tropical lowland forest edge. It is a distinctive bird with down-curved bill, black upperparts, bright yellow underparts, and a conspicuous white eyebrow. The Bananaquit is bold and active feeder, and most often is encountered in pairs or in small groups. With a diet of nectar and fruit, the Bananaquit frequents flowering trees and shrubs where they often cling to flowers.
Black Vulture
With sooty black plumage and a bare black head, the Black Vulture is almost dapper. The Black Vulture is among the most common, widespread and easily visible of all American birds. It feeds almost exclusively on carrion. It is a highly social bird with fierce family loyalty. The Black Vulture shares food with relatives, feeding young for months after they’ve fledged.
Blue-gray Tanager
The Blue-gray Tanager is a common bird in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the continent. it prefers semi-open areas such as forest edges, along roads and rivers, agricultural and urban areas. The Blue-gray Tanager is not found in the interior of closed canopy forest. It eats a wide variety of fruits, insects and other invertebrates. Blue-gray Tanagers typically travel in pairs or small flocks.
Clay-colored Thrush
The Clay-colored Thrush is a very common bird throughout Central America, parts of Mexico and northern Colombia. It is found in a variety of habitats such as wooded areas, towns and parks. The Clay-colored thrush usually remains on the ground floor or in low vegetation. It is commonly observed alone or in pairs.
Gray-breasted Martin
This large swallow of the tropical lowlands is fairly common in towns, villages, open and semi-open fields with taller trees and other structures that provide nest cavities. The Gray-breasted Martin is frequently seen flying over water, grasslands and around trees while it searches for flying insects. Most of the year it is seen in groups, except during the breeding season.
Great-tailed Grackle
A big, brash blackbird, the male Great-tailed Grackle shimmers in iridescent black and purple, and trails a tail that will make you look twice. The rich brown females are about half the male’s size. Flocks of these long-legged, social birds strut and hop on suburban lawns, golf courses, fields, and marshes. In the evening, raucous flocks pack neighborhood trees, filling the sky with their amazing (some might say ear-splitting) voices.
House Sparrow
You can find House Sparrows most places where there are houses (or other buildings), and few places where there aren’t. Along with two other introduced species, the European Starling and the Rock Pigeon, these are some of our most common birds. Their constant presence outside our doors makes them easy to overlook, and their tendency to displace native birds from nest boxes causes some people to resent them. But House Sparrows, with their capacity to live so intimately with us, are just beneficiaries of our own success.
House Wren
A plain brown bird with an effervescent voice, the House Wren is a common backyard bird over nearly the entire Western Hemisphere. Listen for its rush-and-jumble song and you’ll find this species zipping through shrubs and low tree branches, snatching at insects. House Wrens will gladly use nestboxes, or you may find their twig-filled nests in old cans, boots, or boxes, to mention a few.
Orange-chinned Parakeet
The Orange-chinned Parakeet is a small common parakeet with a green body and brown shoulder and upperwing coverts on the wings. It has a small orange patch in its chin. The Orange-chinned Parakeet is a social bird usually observed in flocks. It is frequently observed flying about or feeding in the open on exposed branches, in open woodlands, savannas, forest edges, parks and gardens. Like most other parrots, parakeets, the Orange-chinned Parakeet nests in adopted cavities or it excavates its own hole in a soft substrate.
Red-crowned Woodpecker
The Red-crowned Woodpecker is a common woodpecker in forests, open woodlands, agricultural areas, parks and gardens. Pairs stay together year-round, but sleep in separate holes. The Red-crowned Woodpecker forages individually or in pairs at all levels of the forest. It can be seen going up and down tree branches and trunks searching for food. The Red-crowned Woodpecker feeds primarily on insects, but it also eats fruits and nectar.
Roadside Hawk
The Roadside Hawk is one of the most widespread raptors of the Neotropics. Its name is due to its preference for the edges of forests. It is found in open to semi-open areas, forest borders, roadsides and plantations. It is usually not found in the forest interior. The Roadside Hawk feeds on a variety of small prey including reptiles, small mammals and birds, but mainly feeds on insects. This is not a social species; pairs can be seen during breeding season.
Rock Pigeon
A common sight in cities around the world, Rock Pigeons crowd streets and public squares, living on discarded food and offerings of birdseed. In addition to the typical blue-gray bird with two dark wingbars, you\’ll often see flocks with plain, spotted, pale, or rusty-red birds in them. Introduced to North America from Europe in the early 1600s, city pigeons nest on buildings and window ledges. In the countryside they also nest in barns and grain towers, under bridges, and on natural cliffs.
Ruddy Ground-Dove
The male Ruddy Ground-Dove has a bright ruddy plumage. This dove occupies many habitats including open fields, wet habitats, wet habitats, and even suburban yards. It forages in open areas to find seeds in the soil, the main food. It is a prolific breeder capable of reproducing year round. Due to its flexibility in habitat and its rapid reproduction, the Ruddy Ground-Dove is a common bird!
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is perhaps the most common species of hummingbird at the forest edge and in gardens and cultivated areas from southern Mexico to northwestern South America. It has a distinctly rufous-colored tail, from which its named is derived, and a bright pink bill with a black tip. Like other hummingbirds, it feeds on nectar and small insects, and it can be highly territorial over feeding areas.
Tropical Kingbird
The Tropical Kingbird is a widespread and conspicuous bird of open forests, forest edge, scrubs, agricultural areas and urban parks and gardens. It feeds on insects and fruits, but forages almost exclusively by catching flying insects from a perch. The Tropical Kingbird is a territorial bird, and can be faithful to its territory for several years.
Yellow-faced Grassquit
The Yellow-faced Grassquit is a small grayish-green finch that frequently is seen searching for small grass seeds in open fields, pastures, roadsides, and gardens. The Yellow-faced Grassquit often travels in loose flocks, sometimes associating with other species. Their diet is primarily made up of small grass seeds, but when grass seeds become scarce the Yellow-faced Grassquit also forages for berries and insects.
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).
