Panama’s National Decentralization Authority (AND) has launched a digital platform allowing citizens to track thousands of community projects funded by decentralization funds. The new tool, which includes an interactive map and dashboard, provides real-time data on over 4,700 approved initiatives across the country’s provinces and indigenous regions.
AND Director Róxana Méndez announced the platform’s launch this week. She stated the system aims to bring unprecedented transparency to how local governments spend public money. Since the current administration began, officials have approved projects worth more than 130.3 million dollars for municipal and community boards.
“This tool allows any citizen to consult, in a clear, simple, and organized manner, the approved projects and the transfers made,” Méndez said. [Translated from Spanish]
The process for funding these projects starts at the community level. Local citizens participate in consultations, and municipal councils must approve investment plans. After this local approval, the AND’s regional offices conduct technical and financial evaluations.
Oversight and Project Monitoring
A second layer of approval exists for funds sourced from the Property Tax (Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles, IBI). These specific projects require additional validation from the AND’s Board of Directors. This board is chaired by Mercedes González, an appointee of the Government of Panama‘s Ministry of the Presidency.
Once a project receives viability status, the authority commits to permanent field monitoring. Teams track physical progress and verify the appropriate use of public resources. This oversight continues until project completion.
The newly public data covers a wide range of initiatives. Approved projects include public works, equipment purchases, and social programs. Everything from a new community water tank to road repairs now appears on the digital map.
How the Public Access Tool Works
Accessible at www.descentralizacion.gob.pa, the platform features an interactive dashboard. Users can filter information by province, district, or local area. They can also review specific payment dates and amounts transferred to local governments.
Its integrated map offers a geographical view of national project progress. Selecting a province reveals the total number of initiatives and the amounts executed there. The map allows for zooming, panning, and resetting to a national view.
“The investments cover drinking water, energy, roads, connectivity, and community development projects,” the AND stated. [Translated from Spanish] These initiatives directly impact population quality of life, officials argue, while strengthening transparency.
This move toward open data represents a significant shift in how Panama manages its decentralization policy. The government has faced public pressure to demonstrate how funds reach local communities. The portal directly addresses calls for better accountability.
Tracking the execution of approved projects, especially for critical infrastructure like agua potable, remains a persistent challenge nationwide. The AND believes making data public will create natural community oversight. Citizens can now see what was promised versus what is actually delivered in their own neighborhoods.
The ultimate goal is fostering greater trust in public institutions. By providing a window into the decentralization process, the authority hopes to encourage more citizen participation. The success of the platform will likely depend on regular updates and sustained accuracy of its data.