public service

Reforms made to PFD

El Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia has taken over administrative control of the 11 departments that make up the Panama Fire Department (PFD).

A memorandum issued by César Robles, general secretary of the ministry, noted that all administrative actions of the PFD, including those that affect the budget and finances of the 11 departments, have to be approved by the Dirección Administrativa de Gobierno y Justicia.

The move comes as a result of a Nov. 29 resolution in which the Ministro de Gobierno y Justicia, Daniel Delgado Diamante, stated that the ministry would assume supervision of the department´s finances.

The ministry must now approve all promotions, salary changes and transfers and changes in the department´s structure. It will also have the final say on the issuing of contracts for goods and services, as well as oversight over capital expenditures, including the purchase of new trucks and other equipment.

The move was made because of perceived problems with the department´s financial oversight, which lead to allegations that funds were being misspent. The department is funded with an annual $9 million government grant and a percentage of insurance premiums.

The department´s management has resisted the change, and departments from other areas have also opposed the reform, which will soon be applied to other districts.