(prensa.com)The $3 million that Panama used to spend on the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) will be used to fund a pension increase for retirees.
Vice President Juan Carlos Varela said that Panama will official exit Parlacen on Nov. 25, and “there will be no turning back.”
That money will go toward pension increases for retirees. The move is being made to fulfill a campaign promise made by President Ricardo Martinelli and to bring an end to protests that have been organized by senior citizen groups.
Varela said the decision to quit Parlacen is consistent with the promise of the government to “optimize” the use of public funds.
The Cabinet Council is still debating how much of an increase to grant to pensioners.