The president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, announced an economic reactivation plan that includes an investment of US$350 million in 14 government projects, with the aim of generating 10,000 jobs in the country. During his weekly conference, he also addressed migration issues and referred to the visit of the head of the United States Southern Command, Alvin Holsey.
In the first phase of the plan, the government will give priority to projects in health, water and education. Among the initiatives are improvements in aqueduct systems at the national level, the drilling of wells and the maintenance of water treatment plants. Rehabilitation work will also be carried out at the Arraiján and Sabanitas drinking water plants, as well as at the David wastewater plant.
In the prison environment, improvement works are progressing in the Colón prison, located in Nueva Esperanza, and in the Women’s Rehabilitation Center in Pacora. In terms of hospital infrastructure, projects are being developed such as the New San Isidro Polycenter in San Miguelito, the completion of the Amador Guerrero Hospital, the construction of the Bugaba Hospital, the Aquilino Tejeira Hospital in Penonomé and the Anita Moreno Hospital in Los Santos. In addition, the plan contemplates the rehabilitation of schools in various regions of the country.
Mulino said that the second phase of the plan will be presented in two weeks and will include larger infrastructure projects. According to the president, this reactivation process seeks to address complex challenges to ensure the success of the initiatives.
Regarding the migration policy, the president clarified that Panama has agreed with the United States to carry out three repatriation flights for migrants in irregular condition. Currently, there are 299 people under this condition in the country, of which 157 are women, 152 men, 12 family groups and 24 children. Mulino denied that these agreements violate human rights and reaffirmed that Panama will act in accordance with international regulations.
On the recent visit of the head of the United States Southern Command, Alvin Holsey, the president was consulted about a possible Chinese presence in the Panama Canal. To this, he replied sharply: “We are not going to talk about what is not a reality,” thus ruling out any speculation on the subject.