At 7:10 pm, two hours late, Wednesday night, the single dialogue table began at the Cristo Sembrador Center in Penonomé, Coclé province.
The agenda began with the topic of electricity. The social movements: National Alliance for the Rights of the Organized People (Anadepo), Bastión del Oriente Chiricano (original peoples and peasants) and the Alianza Pueblo Unidos por la Vida, presented their 18-point proposal to the National Government.
It should be noted that before addressing the energy issue, the minutes of installation and legalization of the dialogue table were read, a document that explains that “once agreements are reached on each of the points on the work agenda, a minutes containing the agreement, which will be signed by the National Government and the Catholic Church, as facilitator. This document will be delivered to each of the alliances, whose representatives will sign receipt, for subsequent publication in the Official Gazette”.
After the presentation of the 18 proposals, a recess was given for the National Government to present its counterproposal. When the single table resumed, it was learned that there was agreement on 15 issues and 3 disagreements.
In the question and answer period, government officials pointed out that 90% of the Ngäbe Buglé region does not have energy and it is expected that in 2024 it will rise by 5% more. While in the Emberá region, which is the one with the best electricity coverage, it does not reach 30%.
Another of the topics discussed at the table was the problems faced by residents of West Panama and clients of Naturgy Panama, formerly Empresa de Distribución Eléctrica Metro-Oeste SA (Edemet), with the electric power service.
The single dialogue table resumes this Thursday, at 9:00 am, at the Cristo Sembrador Center, to conclude the question and answer period.
