They are reviewing a request from the Ministry of Health (Minsa) for $36 million, announced the vice minister of the Presidency, Carlos García, who on Wednesday, April 29, during the traditional press conference presented the latest COVID-19 cases epidemiological report.

It should be noted that the Vice President of the Republic, José Gabriel Carrizo, hours earlier had notified on his social networks that he had instructed the COVID-19 purchasing commission to carry out “the first accountability today and every Wednesday present a weekly report to the people of Panama on the use of the resources assigned to deal with this pandemic. ”

It was also announced that the National Directorate of Public Procurement was requested to be transparent about all purchases related to dealing with the pandemic, made by the Ministry of the Presidency.

García wanted to make clear "that my pen will not sign, at any time, a commitment to purchase authorization or payment of a procedure, that it does not withstand a thorough audit evaluation, with prices outside the market" or without comparing "historical and reasonable prices".

In the same way, he maintained that concrete and immediate administrative actions have been taken to protect the interests of Panamanians.

Of the emergency funds for $191 million, which were transferred and received at the Ministry of the Presidency, he announced that $ 55.8 million in physical vouchers were delivered to Panamanians.

In relation to the Minsa request, he stated that he must comply with the analysis and requirement that support the request.

He maintained that the Ministry of the Presidency functions in coordination with the community and other state entities, hence the funds required by the institutions must be supported with technical reports prepared by qualified professionals.

Similarly, it was announced that an evaluation and purchase team has been appointed to establish criteria and filters to authorize any request for funds.

The entities, he said, should not agree on advances to any supplier because it is an instrument of bribery and improper use of money. Furthermore, the commitments will be payable in 90 days.

We will demand, he emphasized, that all contracts and purchase orders say that the merchandise corresponds to what is offered, complying with the inspection requirements of the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) and that they do not exceed the price controls imposed by the executive decree 114 of March 13.

Likewise, he warned that falsified public documents are circulating on social networks and the Attorney General's Office has already been asked to start the investigation to determine the possible counterfeiting crime.

In his speech and the subsequent round of questions and answers with the media, he said that "the Ministry of the Presidency has not formalized any contract or paid or will pay a single dollar for the purchase of equipment that does not comply with controls”.

Raphael Fuentes, director of Public Procurement, also appeared to announce that in the Panama Purchase Portal will be direct access to the Purchases section COVID-19 Table for anyone interested to look.

In fact, to date it has registered four public events, referring to the supply of supermarket bonds to be distributed as social support within the framework of the Panama Solidarity plan.

Fuentes said that "the President is committed to transparency and accountability regarding what the Panamanian State acquires ."

He pointed out that an online quotation method will be established so that all suppliers that comply with the technical specifications and requirements can bid through the portal.

The purpose, he said, is to guarantee compliance with the Public Procurement Law and that they can provide quick responses to the comprehensive health system, ensuring its operation with transparency.