Minister says 590 houses impacted by flooding in Western Panama

Minister of Social Development Guillermo Ferrufino said this morning that floods in Western Panama have affected 590 dwellings. Metropolitan Health Director Jorge Hassán said that 130 houses were flooded in Mastranto alone, and that the Ministry of Health is working to avoid the spread of disease in the impact areas. Fumigations and house-to-house visits were performed this morning, Hassan said. The ministry is also working to dispose of the bodies of animals killed in the flooding. The ministry has treated 18 people with skin ailments and other problems related to the flooding. President Ricardo Martinelli was slated to visit the affected areas this afternoon. Minister of Economy and Finance Frank De Lima said that the government will use funds from the Panama Savings Fund to assist flood victims. He said this will be the fastest way to get aid to the victims. He added, though, that there needs to be strict rules regarding the distribution of funds and the future ue of this source of money. The government also approved a waiver to the Fiscal Responsibility Law, which will allow the government to exceed debt limits. So far, three people have died in the flooding and two people are still missing.