Banco National de Panama has donated $50,000 to the relief effort and these funds are being handled and distributed through the office of the First Lady of Panama. A collection center for donations of food and emergency goods has been set up in the central park in Santiago for those wishing to donate.
President Martinelli visited many of the flooded areas, and was also seen distributing goods to people affected in La Chorrera. Other than the two initial deaths reported, no further mention has been made of deaths due to the flooding. Apparently two members of the Red Cross were traveling in a vehicle when the Transisthmica Highway collapsed, and they haven't yet been found. Metal detectors were donated and are now being used to try to locate the vehicle under the rubble.
In Chiriqui, there was an earthquake this morning that registered 4.6 on the Richter scale. It was centered in Punta Burica. No reports of damage. It was felt in the areas around Bugaba and David.
The Chiriqui Social Security hospital is afflicted with an outbreak of Clostridium Dificile that has resulted in 6 deaths and 49 reported cases attributed to nosocomial infection.
Otherwise, it's been sunny and warm all day in Boquete. Sunday's heavy, wind-driven rains were atypical for the season this year. It's a shame they had to occur during the Independence Day Parade organized on Nov. 25th, when schools from all the other provinces came to march.
Tomorrow, Boquete's local schools will march in another Boquete Independence Day parade. Nov. 28th is the traditional day for the Independence Day Parade. This year, President Martinelli declared the holiday would be celebrated on Nov. 26th, to allow for a 3-day weekend. It appears Boquete's mayor is complying with administrative directives, but also planning his own local traditional celebration. Should be interesting.
Meanwhile, I continue to enjoy the temperate weather, flor and fauna of my favorite region.
