The Minister of Agricultural Development (MIDA) Augusto Valderrama, in an interview with Panama radio, reported that starting this week the process of distributing baskets of the “Christmas Solidarity 2022” program carried out by the national government in support of hundreds of Panamanian families during the end-of-year parties.
For Valderrama, this is a national government project with a high social content that benefits local producers and many low-income Panamanians “This year approximately 1.5 million Christmas products will be distributed, it is a basket that includes Picnic ham, Butterball that It is a piece of pork, also the T-bone steak, as well as a ham ball, turkey among other products that are going to be distributed among families that need it, that really have a need and that with this support they can have something on the table during the end of year partys”.
According to estimates, approximately 25 million balboas will be invested in the purchase of 100% national products for the benefit of pig, chicken and sausage industries, in support of the agricultural sector of our country.
Regarding the possibility that some people take advantage of the Solidarity Christmas program for political purposes, Valderrama explained that since they are public funds, this program will be treated with the necessary transparency so that the products reach those who need them. “We have personnel who will be distributing, there are also the community boards and other organizations such as the church and we ask the general public to become vigilantes, last year the product reached the hands of those who need it, we must take care of these types of projects with great social content, sometimes for the management of a few, the program can be distorted and then there are attacks of a political order, we have been vigilant with our officials with the entities that are going to work with the areas of social welfare and maintain the spirit of the program and that is to support those who they need less”, indicated Valderrama.
This program also participates in the Agricultural Marketing Institute with its officials for the good distribution of these Christmas products for Panamanian families.