By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - In watching the newly reformatted "Debate Abierto" on Channel 4 this morning, they had on an all-star board of five of the candidates who want to be the next President of Panama. Among them, Panama City Mayor Juan Carlos Navarro pointed out that "of ever 100 gallons of water produced by the water purification plants, only half of that is delivered to customers. The rest is lost in leaks and broken pipes. Of the water that is actually delivered, they only actually get paid for 25% of the total produced." Man, I love it when politicians throw around numbers... (more)

By Juan Manuel Díaz C. for the Panama America - The construction of a new mega-port near the Pacific end of the Panama Canal can effect security of the canal, according to a former director of the Panamanian Maritime Authority (AMP) Jerry Salazar. According to Salazar, the mega-port project should be analyzed with extreme care, because it can increase the movement of ships in one of the exits of the Panama Canal. "To add to the works to expand the Panama Canal the increase in ship traffic implied by the construction of the mega-port could affect the efficiency of the Canal," he said. Last month the government authorized Commerce Minister Carmen Gisela Vergara to negotiate a contract directly with Cosco Pacific Limited and Ports America Group for the construction of a container port terminal in the area of Farfán. This action caused mistrust among the business sector.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Here's a YouTube video (below) the Brazilian company Construtora Norberto Odebrecht S.A. is currently building. This project, basically an extension of the current Northern Corridor to Colon, will be a toll road and will serve as an alternative to the Transistmian highway, the existing road connecting Panama City to Colon. That road is being improved and expanded to four lanes for its entire length under a different infrastructure improvement and construction contract. Work on the project depicted in the video continues at a good rate. Last week Panamanian President Martin Torrijos attended a ceremony to mark the start of the pouring of the road bed - mostly a political event to remind everyone of the work that's been accomplished during the current PRD administration. See the video below. (more)

By Alexis Charris Palacios and Yureth Paredes for La Estrella de Panama - In Panama nobody knew anything. The news story that bounced back here from Europe puts into question the transparency of public contracts awarded by the Municipality of Panama. The garbage of the capital district and San Miguelito already have an owner. At issue is a contract awarded to the Spanish company ACS, the fourth largest construction partnership in the world according to www.finanzas.com. The contract was signed with Urbaser - Plotosa, a branch of ACS, according to a cable disclosed yesterday by the Europe Press agency and that they held in reserve for 30 days. This contract has as an objective the treatment of the rubbish and garbage put into the landfill in Cerro Patacón. The reason for this secrecy is not known. (more)

La Critica - The water will be turned off starting from 7:00 am this morning until 7:00 pm tonight, Friday, 25 April 2008, in some sectors of the eastern parts of the Province of Panama. According to a press release from the National Institute of Sewers and Aqueducts (IDAAN), the areas of Tocumen, Pacora, La 24 de diciembre, Paso Blanco 1 and 2, Felipillo, and nearby areas will be without water today due to required maintenance and cleaning that needs to be performed at the water uptake for the treatment plant in Pacora. IDAAN regrets the inconvenience, and requests that inhabitants of those communities take corresponding measures.

By Carlos Estrada Aguilar for La Critica - The decision of the Executive branch of government to award a contract in a direct form and without a bidding process the concession to build and operate a container port in Farfán for more than $600 million dollars has generated a degree of distrust between business and the political class. Opposition politicians are saying to do so would be a violation of the Fiscal code. Yesterday the president of the "Vanguardia Moral de la Patria" political party, Guillermo Endara, described the decision by the government to be a "administrative atrocity", and said that when he is elected president of the Republic in 2009 he would revoke it. (more)

El Siglo - The General Comptroller of Panama, Carlos Vallarino, authenticated the contract between the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) and the "Accidental Association", formed by the companies Equipos y Construcciones del Istmo, S.A., and Global Concepts Consultans, Inc., for the rehabilitation and maintenance of streets in Cerro Silvestre, Burunga, Nuevo Emperador and Santa Clara, in the district of Arraiján. The contract, signed by the Minister of Public Works Benjamín Colamarco and the legal representatives of the Accidental Association, Mirtya Lybia Arrocha de De la Guardia and Tatiana del Pilar Sealy de Singh, establishes that the project will cost $1,487,459.93, ($1.4 million), and will have to be completed in a period of 240 calendar days, counting from the issuance of the order to proceed. The work includes the removal of trees, the installation and cleaning of drainage tubes and drains, the location and cleaning of roadside ditches, the positioning of selected materials, installation of a road base, asphalt superficial treatments, escarificación and conformation of existing road and the construction of small bridges. Also, the contract establishes that the company must present a guarantee of project fulfillment (insurance) equivalent to 50% of the total cost of the project, valid for 240 days, at the date of the issuance of the order to proceed. (Photo: Don Winner for Panama-Guide)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The Panamanian government has invested more than $113 million dollars of the money earned by the Panama Canal in the development of more than 1,700 social projects, prioritized through the Programa de Desarrollo Comunitario (PRODEC) (Community Development Program), according to President Martin Torrijos. During the 75 public consultations held to date, inhabitants of the different communities where PRODEC consultations have taken place have prioritized investment in projects of rural electrification, road infrastructure, rural aqueducts, and school repairs among others. In the last PRODEC consultaion held in San Miguelito, president Torrijos said the most important thing about this program is the opportunity offered to the residents of the community where the money will be spent to decide when and how to best use the resources. (more)

La Critica - The Panamanian government will negotiate for the construction of a new port facility in Farfán. The project will be located on a 253 hectare parcel of land in Farfán, part of the old Howard Air Force Base. The government will negotiate with a consortium comprised of two companies - Cosco Pacific Limited and Ports America Group, for a concession for a new container port in the areas of Palo Seco and Farfán, near the Bridge of the Américas and the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. The Executive Branch has authorized the Minister of Commerce Carmen Gisela Vergara together with the Panamanian Maritime Authority, to conduct the negotiations in representation of the Panamanian state. They will negotiate a contract with the joint partnership formed by Cosco Pacific Limited and Ports America Group that involves the design, land fill, construction, operation, administration and maintenance of a shipping container terminal in Palo Seco / Farfán. A study conducted by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) established that a port in this zone could become the second largest container port in the Pacific. The lands and facilities in the area are estimated to be worth more than $1 billion dollars. The bidding process to let the contract to construct the terminal facility was suspended for almost a year due to legal action taken by other parties interested in developing the container port facilities.

By Ereida Prieto-Barreiro for the Panama America - While the Secretariat of Energy is saying that the majority of Panamanians "have not become aware" of the power crisis, the national government continues to allow the construction of tall buildings that will increase consumption even more. Economist Alexis Soto said it is "double talk" from the government to "continue punishing consumers with high electrical bills and increases in the cost of living." Soto said electrical consumption can not be lowered when "they are not regulating" the new buildings that are being built with windows throughout the entire structure, even though "innumerable reports indicate these types of buildings increase consumption, because they concentrate heat and they are not designed for the Panamanian climate." (more)

By Ereida Prieto-Barreiro for the Panama America - Kuzniecky, shown in this photo with an expert on power consumption. The government will be announcing a large campaign to get people to cut back on their energy consumption next week, now that Panamanians are increasing their demand to record levels. The measure was announced by the President of the Energy Secretariat Dani Kuzniecky, who said he "has been frustrated" because Panamanians have not become aware of the problem. Nevertheless, he said private businesses will be cooperating with the measure. The Mexican energy conservation expert Odón de Buen Rodriguez called upon Panamanians to "synchronize themselves" with the problems of power delivery with "real rationing." He proposes the implementation of a new law governing the rational use of energy that would contemplate "rewarding" consumers, control construction, crossed subsidies, and verify fuel consumption. He also suggest that the energy organization be autonomous. Buen Rodriguez mentioned it is important that the Government sets and example with controlling energy consumption by turning off air conditioners one hour before the end of the work day, as well as to integrate energy saving technologies into building plans and practices. The consultant said that after the Energy Secretariat the proposed law will be presented to the Inter-American Development Bank, the Executive Council and then the National Assembly.

By Mónica Palm for La Prensa - A whole lot of pavement and not very much green space - environmentalist activists are not happy with the design of the new expansion of Balboa Avenue. The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) promised the project would be a great public park. We now know that only 23% of the spaces designated as "green areas" will have any plants or gardens. "There is a cement plaza in front of the statue of Balboa, instead of keeping with the idea it has already as in being surrounded by a garden," said Lina Vega, the adviser to the Center for Environmental Incidence. The original project was born in the Pro City Alliance. "At that time the concept did not include the Yacht Club nor the parking for the Miramar hotel," said Jorge Riba, an architect of the Alliance. Of the 35 hectares of land fill, 21 will be green areas and parks, "much less than what the Alliance proposed", he said.

PANAMA CITY, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Panamanian President Martin Torrijos Tuesday inspected the beginning of the paving of an 80-km interoceanic highway, which will connect the Pacific to the Atlantic. "Since 1990, this mega project has been promised by all the governments before us. Today it is finally a reality that is being built and must be finished by April of 2009," Torrijos said. He said the highway represents better development opportunities that will generate future economic potentials. "It is necessary so Panama continues growing in its logistic role on world commerce and to offer jobs and a better level of living for the population," the president said amid the noisy paving machine. The Panama City-Colon City highway, with an investment of 215.8million U.S. dollars, will have four 3.6 meters wide lanes and cross all Panamanian territory parallel to the Panama Canal. Odebrecht, a Brazilian company, has contracted in the project.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Fresh water in, sewage water out - IDAAN are the guys who put the "flush" into your bathroom. Lately on the morning news there have been a rash of little "mini protests" by the residents of local communities who are ticked off because they don't have either a good road or a steady supply of fresh drinking water. And half of Panama City smells like an open cesspool due to the inadequate sewage system. I've opened a new section of the Forums to discuss issues of infrastructure in Panama, and started with IDAAN. What's going to happen when all of those new buildings come on line and they all decide to flush their toilets at once?

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By Eva Medalla for Business News Americas - IDB, the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (Cabei) will help member countries of the Plan Puebla Panama (PPP) promote and obtain funding for this initiative, CAF executive president Enrique García told BNamericas. Integration projects are a major priority for the institutions, García said, as they will boost the region's overall development. The PPP member countries announced the creation of a funding and promotion committee (CPF) formed by the three institutions during the annual IDB meeting, being held in Miami April 4-8. (more)

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By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Authorities from the Panamanian fire department and the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) met this morning to define strategies for the development of mass evacuation plans for large commercial centers and popular discotheques. Roberto Velásquez Abood, the Director of SINAPROC, said they are working to offer greater security to these entertainment areas because many of these facilities do not have clearly established evacuation routes or emergency plans in case of a disaster or emergency. SINAPROC has been working continuously on emergency and evacuation plans for governmental buildings, schools, private buildings and businesses. These plans provide organizations and effective way to respond to disasters requiring a partial or total evacuation of the premises.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Construction workers have been working hard since last Wednesday, 19 March 2008, to install a 50 meter long section of new 44" inch sewer pipe 7 meters (or more than 23' feet) below Via España in the Rio Abajo section of Panama City. They are doing the work now to take advantage of the light traffic during "Semana Santa" (Holy Week) celebrations. I wandered over there with my video camera this afternoon to check it out...

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Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By Andrew Beatty PANAMA CITY, March 19 (Reuters) - Panama's ports expect shipping container volumes to grow by a fifth this year despite a slowing U.S. economy as Chinese trade surges, the head of the country's top maritime body said on Wednesday. Fernando Solorzano told Reuters he expects the country's principal ports to handle up to 5 million 20-foot (6.1-meter) equivalent units (TEUs) -- the size of a standard shipping container -- in 2008. In 2007, Panamanian ports handled just under 4.1 million TEUs, up from 2.7 TEUs in 2006, thanks in part to increased trans-shipping through the Pacific port of Balboa on the mouth of the Panama canal. Balboa is run by a subsidiary of Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa. (more)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Panama's president Martin Torrijos inaugurated the new section of road between Arraiján and La Chorrera in the Western part of the province of Panama today. Torrijos said the road improvements make the area more attractive for investment and will shorten travel times for commuters who live in the area but work in Panama City. In addition to the main road adjacent and side routes have also been improved. "We invested more than $65 million dollars on this project to improve the living conditions of those Panamanians who reside in the area," said Torrijos. Authorities will open the highway provisionally tomorrow to help smooth the flow of traffic to the interior for "Semana Santa" (Easter week.) Work on the project will be finished officially in June 2008. The upgrade included the construction of 23 pedestrian bridges, five bridges over rivers, and one to level uneven terrain.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

La Prensa - Construction has started on the pilings that will support the new bridge over the Chagres river. A spokesman for the company building the new freeway from Panama to Colon said that although heavy rainfall in the past few days have caused some delays, they continue to advance at a good pace because they are working 24 hours a day with continuous shifts.

By Gilberto Pérez for La Estrella de Panama - In the near future residential customers might be able to buy electricity directly from the power generating companies. The National Public Services Authority (ASEP) is evaluating a proposal that would hopefully cause Elektra Noreste and Unión Fenosa to provide better service at a better price to their customers. The Panamanian government wants to open the market up to new players who could supply customers at lower rates.

By José Edwin Sánchez M. for La Critica - The government of Panama has guaranteed there will be no increases in the cost of electrical energy, at least during the six first months of the year. The decision by the Executive Cabinet to approve a resolution to transfer $27.4 million dollars to the Electrical Tariff Stabilization Fund (FET) was published in the government's Official Gazette yesterday. These funds will be used to subsidize rising costs of electricity and will guarantee stability in energy prices to consumers for the first half of 2008, at least for those who consume no more than 500 kilowatt hours per month. This agreement was constituted through a contract between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the This he was constituted by means of trust contract Economy and Finanzas (MEF) and the Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A., which creates a framework of subsidy for energy consumed and delivered to consumers. (more)

By Mitzila De León for El Siglo - Panama's National Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrating farmers and natives who were protesting the development of hydroelectric projects that are being proposed on several rivers in the country. The demonstrators closed the Pan-American highway, specifically where the road heads toward the province of Chiriquí at the bridge crossing the river Cobre, in the district of Las Palmas, yesterday morning (Saturday.) According to Larissa Duarte, the spokeswoman of the Movement in Defense of the Cobre River, they will march in the district of Santiago on 8 January 2008 to force provincial authorities to listen to their complaints.

By José Somarriba Hernández for La Prensa - Businessmen along Ave. Santa Elena in the area of Parque Lefevre can relax. Work on the project to clean up the Bay of Panama - which includes the installation of 7.5 kilometers of tunnels under this street, will not require the street to be ripped up. Tunneling machines (TBM) will be used according to the Director of the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Systems (Idaan), Juan Antonio Ducruet, explained. He added that to date the project has advanced approximately 15%, and is expected to be completed in approximately 36 months. (more)

By Urania Cecilia Molina for