Draft bill 189.

Summary.

The draft bill proposes recognizing the International Tasting Festival as an annual event of social, health, charitable, cultural, gastronomic, and tourism interest. It would take place in the Santiago district, Veraguas Province, on a date set by the Patronato in coordination with the National Cancer Association (Asociación Nacional Contra el Cáncer, ANCEC); related activities could be held in other districts of the province. Proceeds would support cancer prevention, education, guidance, early detection, and patient support programs. The Festival would also promote civic participation, gastronomy, culture, and tourism. A nonprofit Patronato would be created with legal personality, its own assets, and administrative and financial autonomy, based in Santiago. ANCEC’s Santiago chapter would retain ownership of the Festival’s identity and its status as beneficiary; changes to its name, mission, charitable purpose, or beneficiary would require ANCEC’s written authorization.

The Patronato would plan each edition, approve its budget and schedule, seek contributions and agreements, procure goods and services, maintain inventories, and transfer net funds designated for ANCEC’s programs. Its objectives include supporting timely diagnostic services at the Centro Domenico A. Melillo in Veraguas. It would have eleven principal members, each with an alternate, representing ANCEC, the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud), Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura), Panama Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá), Municipality of Santiago (Municipio de Santiago), Governor’s Office of Veraguas Province (Gobernación de la Provincia de Veraguas), Panamanian Sports Institute (Instituto Panameño de Deporte), National Charity Lottery (Lotería Nacional de Beneficiencia), business sector, and civil society. Appointments would last two years, with one consecutive reappointment permitted. Members would serve without pay but could receive reimbursement for authorized, documented expenses. The bill establishes grounds for vacancies, replacement rules, meetings, quorum, voting, publication of minutes, and recusal for conflicts of interest.

An Executive Board of at least seven members would direct the Patronato, with its presidency held by an ANCEC representative. The president would serve as legal representative and authorize fund movements jointly with the treasurer. The Patronato could hire staff within its financial means. Its assets would include public contributions, donations, sponsorships, Festival revenue, and other lawful resources. The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) and municipalities could contribute resources within their powers and budgets. Before each edition, the Patronato would approve an operating plan, budget, participation rules, safety plan, and mechanism for transferring funds to ANCEC. Funds would be recorded in separate accounts according to source and purpose. Contracts financed with public funds would follow public sector rules; those financed solely with private funds would follow private law and internal controls. Net funds designated for ANCEC would be transferred within 90 days after each edition. The bill prohibits distributions to members and refers any tax benefits to existing tax legislation.

Within 90 days after each edition, the Patronato would publish an activities and financial report and send it to ANCEC, the Ministry of Health, and, where public funds were used, the Office of the Comptroller General (Contraloría General de la República), among others. It would prepare annual financial statements, commission external audits in specified circumstances, and publish institutional, budget, and contract information while protecting personal data. Members, staff, and contractors would be liable for damage in the circumstances set out in the bill. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, Panama Tourism Authority, Governor’s Office of Veraguas (Gobernación de Veraguas), and Municipality of Santiago could cooperate with the Festival. Use of ANCEC’s name would require authorization, while patients’ and beneficiaries’ participation in public activities would require consent.

Initial appointments would be communicated within 90 days after commencement. Internal regulations would be approved within 120 days after the Patronato’s installation, and the Executive Branch would issue regulations within 120 days after promulgation. ANCEC would continue organizing the Festival until the Patronato could assume its functions; any transfer would be recorded in a signed instrument. The bill governs dissolution and the disposition of remaining assets. These provisions could concern the named public bodies, patients and families, volunteers, restaurants, producers, artisans, artists, service providers, and the tourism, gastronomy, and commercial sectors.