Author: spieper

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The San Miguelito Health Region has recorded more than 500 cases of conjunctivitis so far in 2025, a significant increase compared to previous years. Health officials confirmed the surge on Monday, attributing the spike to a potential lapse in basic biosecurity measures among the population, primarily frequent hand washing.Medical personnel across the region’s health centers are treating a steady stream of patients presenting with the highly contagious eye infection. The current caseload has raised concerns among public health experts who are now emphasizing preventative strategies to curb further transmission.Medical Experts Urge Preventative MeasuresDr. Alexander Bare, Medical…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – President José Raúl Mulino announced that the concession process for three regional airports in the provinces of Colón, Chiriquí, and Coclé is expected to be finalized before the end of this year. The president made the statement during his weekly press conference, directing relevant authorities to expedite the procedures to ensure completion by December 31.This initiative is a key part of the administration’s strategy to improve airport infrastructure and guarantee the profitability of these vital regional assets. Unlike initial proposals that considered a bundled concession, the government confirmed in February that each airport will be concessioned…

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – Dozens of pet owners organized a protest walk through Andrés Bello Park and surrounding areas in the El Cangrejo district this week. They are demanding that local authorities finally approve a long-delayed project to expand the park’s designated dog area.The demonstration aimed to pressure the local Community Board (Junta Comunal) and the Panama Municipality to act on a pre-existing expansion plan. Organizers argue the current dog park is too small for the neighborhood’s growing pet population.Protest leaders confirmed the expansion project was formally presented to the Community Board during the previous administration. The proposal includes detailed…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – A decisive majority of Panamanian businesses now rank sustainability as their top strategic priority, signaling a fundamental shift in the nation’s corporate landscape. According to new data, 62% of companies in Panama have positioned sustainable practices at the forefront of their operations, moving beyond rhetoric to integrate purpose-driven growth into their core business models. The findings, detailed in a recent analysis by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), reveal that profitability and social responsibility are increasingly viewed as complementary objectives. This evolution is driven by a new generation of companies recognizing that…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Institute for Training and Human Resource Development (IFARHU) will begin distributing the first payment of its 2025 Scholarships and Economic Assistance programs on October 20, 2025. The state agency announced a total investment of $14,040,615.00, which will benefit 71,584 students across central Panama.The massive disbursement targets students at the Basic, Pre-secondary, and Secondary education levels. It encompasses several key programs, including the General Competition, Distinguished Position, Educational Economic Assistance, and specialized assistance for students with disabilities. Funding is also allocated for programs aimed at the eradication of child labor, sports, and academic and cultural events.”This…

PORTOBELO, Panama – Hundreds of faithful pilgrims from across Panama are walking the historic route to the San Felipe Church in Portobelo this week to honor the revered Black Christ statue in one of the country’s most profound religious traditions. The annual pilgrimage, culminating on October 21, sees devotees traveling kilometers on foot to fulfill promises, request favors, or give thanks for miracles attributed to the Nazarene. The journey from Sabanitas to Portobelo in Colón Province has transformed into a continuous stream of worshippers, many participating in family groups while others walk alongside friends or organized religious associations. National Police…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) announced it will conduct essential repair work on the deck of the Bridge of the Americas, with nighttime operations scheduled from October 20 to October 31, 2025. The project, part of the ongoing “Maintenance and Evaluation of the Bridge of the Americas” initiative, aims to ensure the safety and structural integrity of this critical national infrastructure. Work will occur nightly from 9:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. to minimize disruption to the high volume of daily traffic.Official Announcement and Project DetailsThe Ministry of Public Works issued a formal statement confirming the…

**Panama Implements New Medical Certificate Verification to Combat Fraud**PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panamanian Ministry of Health (Minsa) has enacted a new executive decree establishing a strict verification procedure for medical sick leave certificates, effective August 11, 2025. The regulation, Decreto Ejecutivo N.° 17 de 2025, aims to combat the proliferation of fraudulent medical certificates that have caused significant administrative and labor issues nationwide. This policy shift mandates that certificates must accurately reflect patient care and be issued only after an in-person evaluation by the treating physician.The government’s decisive action targets a long-standing problem of false or unjustified sick leave.…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The national final of TalenPro 2025, a major educational and artistic movement, will be broadcast live this Sunday, October 19, from the Arena Roberto Durán. Created by songwriter Erika Ender through her Open Doors Foundation and produced by TVN, the event aims to promote young Panamanian talent and social commitment through art, with this year’s proceeds supporting school cafeterias in need.The live broadcast will air immediately after the Weekend News at 7:00 p.m. on TVN. Over 2,000 students participated in regional stages, with finalists from the East, Central, and West zones now competing for national titles…

**Panama Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to Río Indio Reservoir Project**PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Supreme Court of Justice has unanimously rejected a constitutional challenge aimed at halting the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) flagship Río Indio multipurpose reservoir project. The lawsuit, filed by a farmers’ collective, contested the project’s budgetary priority status, a critical step for its advancement.The court’s decision, issued this week, prevents a legal delay for a key infrastructure initiative designed to secure water for the Panama Canal’s operations and surrounding communities. The ruling allows the ACP to continue its planning and investment processes for the reservoir, a central…