Would love to see itemized “dollar for dollar” list of where money went….

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/230918/mef-invirtio-800-millones-bocas

The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has invested around $800 million in the province of Bocas del Toro from 2019 to date, according to a MEF report last Thursday.

At the 59th edition of the International Sea, Agroecological and Tourism Fair, the MEF took the opportunity to present public investment projects in that province. Present at the Fair were Faye Brathwaite, head of the provincial office of Territorial Development of Bocas del Toro, Fernando Paniagua, executive secretary of the Reverted Assets Unit, Dilka Escobar, deputy director of the Directorate of State Investments, Concessions and Risks (DICRE). , Blanca Eskildsen de Garrido, deputy director of State Heritage Assets, and Eleazar Gómez, governor of the province of Bocas del Toro.

Brathwaite highlighted that public investment in Bocas del Toro aims to improve the quality of life of citizens; To that end, the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) invested $384 million, the Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) invested $152 million, Pandeportes invested $44 million, the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning (MIVIOT) invested $54 million in solutions housing, and the Social Security Fund (CSS) invested $41.5 million with the construction of the new hospital in Almirante. These are the institutions that contributed the largest investments, Brathwaite highlighted, investments that are part of the Colmena Plan, and the majority were developed in the 19 most vulnerable towns in the province.

The Colmena Plan has existed since President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen launched it in September 2019 to protect and help the townships with the greatest poverty, intervening in those areas with particularly vulnerable situations where the ability to acquire goods and services has been lost. and where violence is prevalent.

Inside the MEF pavilion, plans were presented for the construction of roads, the construction of schools, the execution of cutting-edge health and sports facilities, as well as other fundamental infrastructure for the development of Bocas del Toro.

“One of the primary focuses is the development of areas that have a tourist impact such as Isla Colón, in the province of Bocas del Toro. The substation that will supply Isla Colón with quality electrical energy was recently inaugurated, which will help new tourism projects to be developed,” said Paniagua, reaffirming the MEF’s commitment to the development of Bocas del Toro and the promotion of tourism in that region.