Dialogue Table in Panama Reaches Consensus on Fuel Price

A consensus has been reached between the government and social organizations on freezing the price per gallon of fuel at 3.25 dollars.

RELATED: 

Panama: Dialogue Table Reaches Agreement on Food Price Capping

General Secretary of the Association of Teachers of the Republic of Panama (ASOPROF) Fernando Abrego said that every achievement reached the single dialogue table reflects the struggle in the streets for a better Panama.

According to the General Secretary, an agreement has been concluded on the fuel benefit to be applied nationwide and to all agricultural machinery, excluding the Executive's cars. 

The social organizations also demanded that the Authority verify prices, subsidies, and storage conditions for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition.

At this time, the single dialogue table culminates with item 2 on the agenda, on the reduction and access to fuel, to move on to point three on the reduction and supply of medicines in CSSPanama and MINSAPma.
   

 

The Government will allocate about 200 million dollars in subsidies to offset the negative repercussions of soaring fuel prices in the international market, as per official information.

An initial negotiation between the Executive and the National Alliance for the Rights of the Organized People (ANADEPO) agreed upon the figure of 3.25 dollars per gallon a week earlier. Subsequently, after consultation with the bases, the group rejected this figure.

Now the parties involved in the talks are moving on to other issues for discussion, such as reducing medicine prices or allocating 6 percent of GDP to education. These are among the crucial points on the list of demands presented by social organizations. 

Amid protests against the high cost of living, unemployment, and lack of attention to indigenous communities, among other issues, social organizations agreed to dialogue with the Government of Laurentino Cortizo in an attempt to halt the protests.

The United Peoples for Life Alliance, the Native Peoples Alliance and the National Alliance for the Rights of the Organized People (ANADEPO), with the Catholic Church of Panama as a mediator are discussing the people's demands with the Executive in a single dialogue table in the central province of Panama Coclé.