The Association of Business Executives, APEDE, views with great concern the underwater sand extraction operations that are being carried out on the Costa Arriba de Colón. The province of Colon, in
especially its Costa Arriba, currently maintains an important tourist offer for the province and the country, as well as great potential for further tourism development.
Non-metallic extraction operations near coastal areas, national parks, communities and tourist businesses generate adverse impacts, both on people, marine species and beaches, as well as on the local economy.
In the past, concessions for this type of extraction have been authorized by the competent authorities in areas such as Punta Chame and the sector of the Las Perlas archipelago, with the disastrous consequences that can be seen today; eroded areas and reduction of beach strips.
Similarly, the request to grant the operation of a quarry in the Tierras Altas region in the Province of Chiriquí does not create an adequate framework for this region of the country to satisfactorily overcome the climatic ravages it has suffered in recent years and which is still in phase
recovery.
This region of the country has been declared a tourist destination and requires that its natural resources be preserved and enhanced. A quarry activity can wreak havoc on the environment and affect the flora and fauna of the region, thus harming areas of productivity, citizens and communities, which have already suffered serious damage from weather events and floods.
From APEDE we call on the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, in order for them to re-evaluate the concessions, licenses and/or permits that have been issued for this type of operation in areas of great tourism and production potential. . Similarly, we urge the National Tourism Authority to exercise a greater supervisory role, ensuring the protection of the tourist offer.
APEDE is characterized by ensuring the interests not only of private companies, the development of our communities and tourism, but also for the overall interests of the country, which is why we urge the authorities to pay attention to these events that could severely affect tourism in the province of Colón, the development of Tierras Altas de Chiriquí and consequently the country.
