Monday
Monday 2nd December 2024.
December 1, 2024
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap) will participate this week in the consultations regarding Bill 163, which proposes to reform the Organic Law of the Social Security Fund (CSS).
This was highlighted by the president of the union, Juan Arias, in the Chamber Opina segment , where he also explained that he will present a series of proposals to transform the CSS into a modern institution that provides quality medical care and medicines.
According to Arias, this debate represents “the most important decision that we have to make as a country at this time,” since the future of millions of Panamanians depends on the direction taken by the institution.
Among its proposals is the introduction of advanced technological systems to optimize health services and allow policyholders to access real-time information on quotes, savings and returns.
Also, gradually implement any increase in employer contributions between 2025 and 2027, mitigating the impact on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises; establish public monitoring systems on CSS investments , with reports accessible to policyholders.
In addition, reduce bureaucratic obstacles to facilitate affiliation to the social security system.
The Chamber also stressed the need to create robust governance rules that include clear processes, strict audits and transparent management at every stage, seeking to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of CSS in the long term.
The Cciap also proposes that “any increase in the employer’s contribution be implemented in stages between 2025 and 2027. This gradual approach will allow companies in general and SMEs in particular time to adapt to the new costs.” The CSS reform proposal presented by the Executive proposes increasing the employer’s contribution from 4.25 percentage points to 7.25 percentage points.
In his weekly column, Arias emphasized that the critical situation of the institution does not allow for delays or superficial solutions. “The level of deterioration of the institution demands that we address this problem in a realistic and rational manner,” he said.
President José Raúl Mulino has already confirmed that his government will seek to ensure that the management of the Cerro Patacón landfill is carried out through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) , where a company will make the investment to improve the management of waste in the capital city and, in turn, generate funds by reusing the 2,500 tons of garbage that are transported to the landfill every day.
But what model will be used for management? What kind of investment can be made to take advantage of waste management? The answers to these questions and many others will be obtained from the conclusions of three studies that have been carried out independently.
The first one was already delivered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which carried out a current diagnosis of the 162 hectares that Cerro Patacón covers. Ovil Moreno , director of the Urban and Residential Cleaning Authority (AAUD) , commented that the report highlights that the ideal would be for the waste that arrives at Patacón to be buried within a period of no more than three days, a situation that is not occurring.
“When we arrived at the AAUD (June 2024), there was a four-month delay in containment, which is the term given to the process of burying garbage. We have managed to reduce the time to one week and we are working to reduce it even further,” explained Moreno.
The management of Cerro Patacón represents a monthly expense of one million dollars, after the previous administration cancelled the contract with the company Urbalia and took control of the landfill in March 2023, arguing a series of breaches by the contractor.
Every day, 71 teams work at the landfill from 5:00 a.m. and finish at 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m., Moreno said.
The study conducted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers recommends that Panama identify as soon as possible the type of technology that would be installed in Cerro Patacón to properly classify and separate waste, since the amount of investment that the company that is awarded the concession would make will depend on that.
The second report was prepared by the South Korean government , which, Moreno said, must deliver the final document last week. The Korean authorities have already delivered a preliminary report, which concluded that Cerro Patacón lacks the necessary bases for a more comprehensive and advanced development. Given this situation, the final document would raise the possibility of creating a new sanitary landfill that meets the appropriate standards.
In previous meetings, Korean technicians have pointed out that, in the Asian country, the appropriate arrangement has favoured the use of resources and a paradigm shift for users.
The last report that AAUD expects to receive next January is developed by experts from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through a non-reimbursable cooperation. The director of Aseo commented that, once the information from the three studies is available, the Government will have a clearer vision of the concession that will be tendered through a PPP.
He said that the preliminary reports submitted by the IDB and the Korean authorities coincide on many points with the analysis carried out by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, so a middle ground will be sought in those areas where the technicians differ.
“We will see what measures we can take to correct these issues and then try to determine what mechanism will be best for managing sanitary waste in Cerro Patacón,” Moreno said.
Police units from the Linces motorized service thwarted an attempted robbery at the Metro Plus Pharmacy, located at the intersection of España Street and 12 de Octubre Avenue in the San Francisco district.
Eyewitnesses reported that four armed men, including two minors, entered the pharmacy with firearms and hit one of the employees in the head, demanding that she hand over the money from the registers.
At that moment, a police patrol from the Linces that was passing by the place detected the unusual movement inside the commercial premises and surrounded the place.
The criminals tried to take the employees hostage, but the police officers quickly intervened to prevent this.
Major Davis Peralta explained that the four detainees were placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the corresponding prosecution.
A firearm and other evidence related to the attempted robbery were recovered at the scene.
It was reported that one of the employees was taken to a medical center to receive treatment for injuries sustained from the butt of a gun.
Panama maintains its position as the best destination to retire in 2025, surpassing Portugal and Costa Rica, according to the Global Retirement Index by International Living and InterNations .
This recognition highlights factors such as its proximity to the United States, the use of the dollar as its official currency, political stability, affordable health care and tax benefits for retirees.
Panama had ranked third in 2023 and regained first place in 2024 , a position it now retains.
According to this global survey, Panama leads in financial satisfaction among retired foreigners, with 74% of respondents satisfied with their economic situation, compared to a global average of 54%. In addition, 88% say their disposable income is sufficient or more than sufficient to lead a comfortable life, compared to 70% globally.
Housing affordability also stands out as a strong point: 62% of respondents value this aspect positively, compared to 34% globally. In addition, Panama stands out as the most accessible country for finding accommodation.
Panama, although ranked 16th in the Quality of Life Index , presents solid results in key factors: 90% of respondents rate personal safety positively, contrary to 80% globally, and the country ranks 15th in health care.
The public transport system is highly rated (8th place), although road infrastructure and transport availability are areas for improvement.
On the other hand, leisure options are outstanding: 79% praise the recreational sports opportunities and the climate.
In addition, Panama ranks seventh in the Ease of Adaptation Index, reflecting the warmth and openness towards retirees who decide to settle in the country.
81% feel welcome, compared to 63% globally, and 73% say they feel at home, compared to 58% globally.
Furthermore, 74% believe that it is easy to adapt to the local culture, which places Panama in second place in terms of satisfaction with social life.
The International Living report describes Panama as a place where you can enjoy an “enviable” quality of life without the high costs of other destinations.
Completing the top 10 in the ranking are: Portugal, Costa Rica, Mexico, France, Spain, Malaysia, Greece, Italy and Thailand.
The Global Retirement Index 2025 used seven categories to determine the best places in the world to retire, including ease of buying and owning property as a foreigner; ease of obtaining a tourist visa; cost of living; quality and cost of healthcare; climate; and social and urban development.
As some analysts point out, to maximize these benefits, Panama must strengthen its tourism infrastructure and promote investments that integrate retirees into the country’s sustainable economic development.
Starting this Friday, November 29, taking advantage of the Black Friday sales season in some stores and shopping centers, an inspection operation by prosecutors from the Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (Acodeco) was deployed.
The administrator of the agency, Ramón Abraham Abadi Balid, explained that they will deploy 130 inspectors nationwide, of which 75 will be in the Panama City area, in operations that will continue throughout this Christmas season, until the end of the year.
Abadi Balid invited the population to collaborate with the review of offers and prices and to file the corresponding complaints with Acodeco in the event that irregularities are detected in the case of marked prices and sales of products.
“Most of the irregularities are related to the prices on display and the date of the offers and promotions that many businesses do not comply with.
Inspectors will be in 38 shopping centers with frequent operations and fines range from zero to $25,000.
“Penalties depend on the severity and frequency of the violation. When it is recurrent, we obviously have to act more vigorously, as well as depending on the size of the business,” warned the Acodeco administrator.