Presidency Will Fix Quarry Heights Tunnel, Buy Bomb Response Robots

(Panama-Guide) - Panama America -  The Ministry of the Presidency earmarked $3.5 million dollars for the next fiscal year to strengthen security for president Ricardo Martinelli. According to the Ministry's budget request, to which the Panama America had access, they plan to purchase an anti explosives robot together with a special vehicle to transport the robot, as well as tools, parts, and other equipment necessary for its operation. In the document, which details the budget they will defend before the National Assembly in 2011, includes funding to rehabilitate the Quarry Heights tunnel under Cerro Ancon, built by the U.S. military. The information, presented to the Budget Committee of the National Assembly, states that the goal is to "return the tunnel installations to an operating condition, to take advantage of the security provided and protecting the lives of the highest figures of the government."

According to the funding requests included in the draft law, such actions are intended to "safeguard the lives and safety of the President of the Republic, the First Lady, his immediate family and those working in the Presidential Palace." In addition, the funds allocated to the SPI are intended to develop a technological system for the detection of explosives, and include a technical training program for explosives experts and dog handlers. More tunnels - The document also includes improvements to the Presidential Palace, the repairs to the elevator, and the construction of tunnels to connect the Presidential Palace with the former Marina and a bridge to connect to the Casa Alianza.

This last project was started in 2005, and for such purposes was contemplated a sum of $1.2 million dollars, of which 82% was spent as of last August. All of these items are contained in the budget bill for the Presidency of the Republic for 2011, according to the recommendations made by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), amounts to $774.6 million dollars, of which $700 million dollars is in "investment." (See Comments)

The current administration seeks to provide before the Council of Public Security and National Defense a description of how they will create a real, professional, and efficient capacity or capability to meet the challenges posed by the new millennium and the "serious global threats" of concern to the different nations of the world. They have also set a goal of modernizing existing facilities, to ensure the development of their functions.

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Original Source: http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20100913115801180
Date Retrieved: September 13, 2010.