AboutLorena Milanes Expertise I can answer questions regarding Panama, its people, culture, places to visit, places to watch out for, hotels to stay, how much your taxi fare should be... specific information on getting around on a safe manner.
Experience I was born and raised in Panama, educated in American schools. Since I enjoy all related to Panama history, I try to keep myself updated on local happenings in the subject. I also enjoy traveling and the internet seems a wonderful tool to use, specially when you are your own guide (which I usually am)- so I am just willing to give some of the help I have received back.
Publications Article - La Prensa Newspaper
Education/Credentials Bachelor's Degree - Marketing and Advertisting
MBA - Emphasys in Management
within our MBA program, my colleagues and I are working on an assignment regarding Panama.
We are required to get in touch with people knowledgeable of Panama and willing to share with us their opinions.
Reading the recommendations you received from other people, I hope you can help us.
1.In your opinion, which are 5 most important issues that will affect Panama's development in the next 10 years? Why?
2.What measures should be taken for these issues to be properly solved?
Thank you very much for your reply and kind help!
With best wishes,
Raluca Benko
Answer Dear Raluca,
Thatīs a tough question.
The most important issues that will affect (and currently affect) Panamaīs development, in my opinion are:
1. Crime: after being one of the safest countries in the area crime rate has gone up to unexpected numbers. Types of crimes committed have also changed. Now crimes include kidnappings to everyday citizens for a couple thousand dollars, car thefts, burglaries with more violence.
2. Transportation: our system is the worst. If you look at www.prensa.com, a local newspaper you will see that just in the last 2 weeks over 20 people have died aboard public transportation.
Buses and taxis are obliged by law to insure their cars but they do not. They do not meet minimum safety standards, the drivers are sometimes drunk or on drugs. The buses race in main streets and taxis do not take you if they donīt want to.
3. No respect for natural resources: open air mining, constructions ... the laws are being bended and folded over in order to get investors come in.
As trees go down to build residential areas (google Camino de Cruces Residential) it was built inside a forest reserve. Built in our local version of NYīs Central Park.
4. Out of control construction: zoning laws are being ignored. Here you can have a casino built next to your home overnight. You can complain but, authorities will ignore you.
Construction is driving all of us living in the city crazy. Let me have your email and I will send you a letter I was copied of this morning, it is a claim to local authorities including the mere + pictures of the craziness this is.
5. Out of control Immigration: Colombians and venezuelans are arriving by the thousands. Keep in mind we are only 3 million + panamenians, meaning we could lose our identity in our own country.
