Snapshot of the expansion of Friendship Road of four lanes from Panama City to Albrook in the former Canal Zone. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
During the last three decades Panama has intensified its infrastructure enhancement projects. Important public works are currently underway across the nation. Some of the most important ones are the Metro Bus, the expansion of the Panama Canal, the expansion of the Transisthmian Highway from Panama City to Colon, the expansion of Tocumen Airport, the construction of the Rio Hato Airport, the expansion of the David’s Airport, and the construction of the Colon Airport.
International airports, a complex networks of modern highways, sophisticated telecommunication system, a ultramodern canal, a state of the art subway system, and a booming tourist industry will lay the foundations and consolidate Panama as an important commercial hub in the region. The adoption of English as a second language will complement the country’s strategy to emerge as a First World country.
The whole country is under a construction frenzy in a race to finish all these megaprojects before President’s Martinelli’s administration is over. He calls them the “imperdonables”; meaning he will not forgive himself for not fulfilling his political campaign promises. So far he’s making considerable progress. He still has three years to keep his political commitments. Ricardo Martinelli was elected the 49th President of Panama in 2009. He has made the word “cambio” pivotal to his administration.
On May 3, 2009, Ricardo Martinelli won the national elections by a landslide, with over 60 percent of the votes compared to his closest rival, Balbina Herrera, who received about 36 percent. This was the second-largest majority in Panamanian history, and the largest since 1989.He was sworn in on July 1, 2009.
Since coming to office, Martinelli has introduced a number of measures designed to alleviate poverty, including a $100 monthly pension for the elderly, an increase in the minimum wage, and subsidies for students to meet the cost of uniforms and supplies. The Panamanian people are having a hard time keeping up with the swift and constant changes being made across the nation. Too little time, so much to do.
