Assembly Passes "Guardian Angel" Program (Aid For Those With Disabilities)
The full National Assembly this afternoon adopted Law No. 398, which creates the "Guardian Angel" program. With this new project, starting in 2013 the government will pay $80 every two months to persons with severe disabilities who are living in conditions of extreme poverty. According to figures released by the Ministry of Social Development 106,374 Panamanians would qualify for this program. After this law was passed in the third and final debate, today's session was adjourned. Next week the Deputies will begin the second extraordinary session, which runs through 29 June 2012. The plenary session will discuss three bills, which are linked to power generation in the country, and a regime for Casco Viejo. Members approved this afternoon Law 398, without incorporating recommendations suggested by the opposition. Yesterday, Wednesday, they asked for the program to be managed by the the National Secretariat for Disabilities and not by the Ministry of Social Development. (Prensa)
