RESIDENTS  of Diablo Heights sided with the Panama Ports Authoity on Friday Mar 3 in opposing  the concession for a port in Corozal planned by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).

A group of protestors said  that it opposes  giving the concession of the future port to a private company.

Companies competing for the concession to design,

construct and operate the port had until 3 p.m. Friday  to

submit their economic proposals to the ACP.

The deadline for submitting proposals was changed on two previous occasions to give the companies more time to prepare their offers.

Four companies are interested in the project, two from Holland and one each from France and Singapore.

The development of the port has received the support of the country's business guilds to take advantage of the expanded Canal.

It has been opposed by the Panama Ports Company, which operates the Port of Balboa.