XXXIV Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Social - CISS

Thirty Third Ordinary Assembly of the Council of Social Security Institutions
of Central America and the Dominican Republic
CISSCAD
Minutes of the 33 rd Ordinary Assembly of the Council of Social Security
Institutions of Central America and the Dominican Republic (CISSCAD)
In Belize City, at nine thirty in the morning of the first day of March, of the year
two thousand and twelve in the Caracol Room of the Radisson Hotel, Belize City,
Belize, the 33 rd Ordinary Session of the Council of Institutions of Social Security of
Central America and the Dominican Republic (CISSCAD) got underway.
The opening words for the meeting were delivered by Leticia Vega, Acting
Executive Director of the Belize Social Security Board. Leticia Vega starts her
presentation stressing on the importance of the theme for this meeting
“Advancing Social Security for all through the Integration and collaboration of all
Central American countries and the Dominican Republic.”
Thereafter, Dr. Gerardo De Cosio, PAHO/WHO Representative for Belize and
representing Dr. Roses de Periago, Director for the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO) offered welcome remarks and also thanks for the
opportunity to participate and share his organization’s plans on Social Security in
Central America and the Dominican Republic.
Licenciado Marlon De Souza, Deputy Director General of Panama’s Social Security
Board, for the Pro Tem Chairmanship of the CISSCAD offered the welcome
remarks.

Once the opening ceremonies are over, and according to the programme,
Licenciada Grace De Leon de Murcia, CISSCAD’s Technical Secretary, went on to
verify the required quorum which would be considered sufficient to begin the
working session, acknowledging thereafter the persons designated for each of the
countries.
Thereafter the Technical Secretary went on to read the Orders of the Day:
1. INSTALATION OF THE DIRECTING ADMINISTRATION
2. QUORUM’S APPROVAL
3. AGENDA’S APPROVAL
4. CEREMONIES FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE PRESIDENCY FROM PANAMA TO
BELIZE
5. REPORT BY THE PRO TEM PRESIDENCY
6. FINANCIAL REPORT (CISSCAD)
7. SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE PRESIDENCY BY
BELIZE
8. READING OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES AND CORRESPONDENCE
9. PRESENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN BY CISSCAD
10. WORKSHOP’S METHODOLOGY
11. ESTABLISH JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CISSCAD’S 2012-2013 STRATEGIC
PLAN
Following, the Administration Desk was installed and the Quorum was
verified by the CISSCAD’s Pro tem President for panama, Licenciado Marlon
De Souza. The attendance of the Countries which integrate the CISSCAD
was confirmed and also of the attending delegates from other
organizations and consultants.

THE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF CISSCAD WERE REPRESENTED AS FOLLOWS:
Name and Surname Organization Country
Magistra Leticia Vega Belize Social Security
Board
Belize
Ing. Claudia Izaguirre Honduran Institute for Honduras
Dr. Hugo Rodriguez Social Security
Dr. Alvaro Salas Chavez Costa Rican Social Costa Rica
– Absent
Security Board
Dr. Leonel A. Flores Salvadoran Institute for El Salvador
Lic. Nataly Villalobos Social Security
Lic. Roberto J. Leal Nicaraguan Institute for
Social Security
Nicaragua
Lic. Marlon De Souza Panama’s Social Panama
Lic. Grace de Murcia Security Board
Not Present Guatemalan Institute
for Social Security
Guatemala
Lic. Leymi Lora C. Dominican Republic’s Dominican Republic
Dr. Juana Gonzalez National Social Security
Council
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED AND DELEGATES PRESENT:
Dr. Gerardo De Cosio
Dr. Gustavo Vargas
Dr. Rolando Hernandez
Dr. Rigoberto Centeno
PAHO/WHO Belize
Advisor PAHO/WHO Belize
SE-COMISCA
Advisor - PAHO
Licenciado Marlon De Souza presented the Agenda for the first day of
the meeting in both languages, English and Spanish. Everyone
approved it and there were no observations. The first day’s agenda is
approved. As well,

The agenda for the second working day is read and is also approved
with no observations. Licenciado Marlon De Souza then goes on to
deliver his Presidential report as Pro tem President for CISSCAD.
Licenciada Aurora Carrillo of Panama’s Social Security Board and
CISSCAD’s Accountant, presented and delivered the Financial Report,
Current Balance, Revenue and Expenditure Account, and the future
transfer of funds was coordinated. A copy of the Financial Report is
given to each country represented at the meeting. Licenciada Carrillo
explained that CISSCAD had taken up all expenses for the 2011-2012
period.
At the end of the previous presentation, the Pro Tem Presidency
Transfer Act is initiated by Licenciado Marlon De Souza of Panama’s
Social Security to Magister Leticia Vega, Acting Executive Director of
Belize’s Social Security Board.
Belize’s acceptance of the Pro tem Presidency is deemed accepted,
after the relevant Act being duly notarized by Licenciada Tania Moody,
Lawyer and Notary Public. The Act is signed by the delegates present
from each country.
Then the Act on the previous meeting was read by Licenciada Grace De
Leon De Murcia, CISSCAD’s Technical Secretary, which was unanimously
approved and signed by all present without any observations.

CISSCAD’S GENERAL AND FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR THE PRO TEM
PRESIDENCY – PANAMA
ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRO TEM PRESIDENCY BY MAGISTRA LETICIA
VEGA
The Transfer Act was read at 11.30 a.m. in the Caracol Room of the
Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize, which was approved without any
change and was signed by all delegates. Magistra Leticia Vega, Acting
Executive Director of Belize’s Social Security Board, humbly accepted
CISSCAD’s Pro Tem Presidency pledging good practices and excellence
in her labour, with the aim of improving social security for all through
CISSCAD’s integration and collaboration.
MISCELLANEOUS
Absent from the Assembly were the representatives from Guatemala
and Costa Rica. The morning session ended at twelve noon and started
again at 1.45 p.m. continuing the first day’s agenda.
CISSCAD’S 2012-2016 STRATEGIC PLAN
CISSCAD’s new pro tem President, Magistra Leticia Vega of Belize’s
Social Security Board, began the afternoon’s session, introducing Dr.
Rigoberto Centeno PAHO/WHO Consultant, and Dr. Gustavo Vargas,
PAHO/WHO Adviser from Belize who presented CISSCAD’s Strategic
Plan. Dr. Centeno explained that the Strategic Plan was successful
thanks to the contribution and hard work jointly carried out with
officials from Panama’s Social Security Board. He recognized that it has
received information and activities which contributed to its enrichment.

Dr. Centeno explained that a plan is an offspring from another, and it
would be necessary to follow up the execution of the works to achieve
the benefits. He added that CISSCAD has a new Vision and Mission.
CISSCAD should be seen as a social development instrument that offers
a higher quality of life both currently as well as in old age, guaranteeing
universal access to health and to the economic provisions.
He commented that in Central America there are many differences in
the context of social security. The social security system has to be
dynamic and he offered examples of the different coverage
percentages of a few member countries. Dr. Centeno stressed the
following points of the Strategic Plan in order to achieve the Mission,
Vision, Goals and Objectives:
1. It’s necessary to share teams and take advantage of the
opportunities that result in common benefits for the member
countries.
2. In CISSCAD’s twenty years the plan has to be elevated to an
institutional level in order to give it implementation and follow
up.
3. It’s important that whatever is agreed upon at this meeting, that
it is carried out.
4. There is the need to elaborate an Investment Plan for CISSCAD.
5. In order to achieve CISSCAD’s mission, it’s necessary to have the
political collaboration of the member countries, sharing
experiences in order to enrich the delivery to our peoples.
True sustainability is not financial, it is:
a. Acceptance by the People
b. Trust of and in the Governments

c. Empowering the citizen and this is achieved in two ways: by
mutual agreement, that is, ALLIANCE and through CISSCAD.
PRESENTATION OF THE FIVE OBJECTIVES OF CISSCAD’S STRATEGIC
PLAN AND EACH PARTICIPANT’S COMMENTS
The following was agreed amongst the CISSCAD countries present:
Development of the Operative Plan (5 Strategic Objectives 2012-2016)
Objectives Activities Coordinating
country
Comments
1
4 Belize 5.4 becomes
5.4
1.4
2 6 Nicaragua
3 4 Dominican Rep.
4 6 Honduras El Salvador
(support)
Panama
(support)
5
3 Costa Rica
Dominican
5.1 to 5.3
Confirmation
Republic
Pending
Supports in
5.2 and 5.3
Dr. Gustavo Vargas of PAHO/WHO Belize, suggested that CISSCAD
should, within its context, return to its roots and rest under the
umbrella of SICA or RESSCAD.
Dr. Leonel Flores, representing El Salvador, explained that in El Salvador
only 24% of the economically active population has access to social
security, which represents 28% of the total population. He mentioned
that they are awaiting a consultant whom they have requested from

PAHO/WHO a long time ago, which had promised to act on such
request.
Ingeniera Claudia Izaguirre, representative from Honduras, expressed
her concern about her country’s low coverage percentage in the issue
of social security.
During Dr. Centeno’s presentation, Licenciada Leymi Lora C. Pointed out
that at objective number three of the Strategic Plan that it would be a
good practice to define the needs of each country, offer assistance and
support to other countries, and identify other strategies.
Magistra Leticia Vega, the new CISSCAD Pro tem President presented
the workshop’s methodology. Five objectives would need to be
coordinated and executed amongst the eight countries, with the aim of
achieving the goals within the 2012-2013 period.
A quarterly monitoring was also agreed upon, as well as virtual
meetings and an annual physical meeting. The first quarterly report
should be sent during the month of July, 2012. The president added
that there is the need for the application of good practices, the
importance of monitoring, as well as establishing a financial plan for
CISSCAD. She asked that all representatives of the member countries
give their contact details so as to achieve a better dissemination of
CISSCAD’s Regional information. The President also added the need to
create a web page for CISSCAD. It is believed that there is already an
available web page in Costa Rica and if it can be used it would be an
avenue for CISSCAD to incorporate itself to SICA’s and RESSCAD’s web
presence. Other projects for the improvement of CISSCAD include a

Financial management manual (it is believed that there is already one
in existence that was compiled by Panama).
The Acting Executive Director of Belize’s Social Security Board reported
that two persons have already been assigned to work in CISSCAD in
Belize.
Licenciada Leymi Lora C. Representative of the Dominican Republic,
expressed her agreement with the creation of a web page for CISSCAD,
saying it would create many new opportunities. Meanwhile, Dr.
Rolando Rodriguez suggested that there is a possibility that CISSCAD
may have a space under SICA.
The Pro Tem President closed the first day’s meeting saying that the
countries represented had shown much willingness to compromise and
that this is admirable.
The first day’s meeting concluded at 5 p.m.
OPENING OF DAY 2 – 8: 45 a.m.
_________________________
The second day of the meeting began at 8.45 a.m. on March 2 nd , 2012,
again in the Caracol Room of the Radisson Hotel in Belize City, Belize.
Magistra Lesbia Arrocha, from Panama’s Social Security Board offered
the welcome remarks.

Without further delay the day’s first presenter was introduced, being
Dr. Rolando Hernandez/Technical Secretary of COMISCA. Dr. Rolando
Hernandez was grateful for the opportunity to participate in this
assembly of CISSCAD. He explained in detail his Organization’s Plan. He
explained the Plan up to 2015 and the price negotiations for
medicaments. He confirmed that the country getting the best price for
medicaments was Costa Rica. She spoke about the Legal Framework,
the current situation of political decision stressing on Agreements No.
14 and 18. Even while we are no experts as it regards the
commitments of these mandates, the mistakes help us to improve and
learn. There is a new list of 78 medicaments the purchase of which we
must negotiate for the year 2013. We are working on guaranteeing the
quality of these medicaments. The list of the medicaments has been
sent.
A question and answer period was granted. Dr. Gerardo De Cossio
asked if Belize, being a small country, was at a disadvantage when
purchasing small quantities of medicaments.
Dr. Hugo Rodriguez from Honduras spoke about the legal difficulties in
his country surrounding the purchase and sale of medicaments, the
need for a letter of certification and the lack of knowledge, as part of
the learning process. He recognized that the problem lies in the local
legal interpretation that stops the process. It’s necessary to clarify this
matter for future purchases.

Dr. Leonel Flores of El Salvador shared his experience on the delay of
purchase and delivery of medicaments. There were no further
questions, so the session went on to consider the next topic on the
agenda.
Launching of the Work Plan 2012-2013 by Magistra Leticia Vega, Pro
Tem President of CISSCAD.
The topic of the five objectives was emphasized from which Belize took
responsibility for coordinating Objective #1, Nicaragua Objective #2, the
Dominican Republic Objective #3, Honduras Objective #4 and it is still
outstanding to confirm if Costa Rica will take responsibility for
coordinating Objective #5.
It was stressed that the first virtual meeting will take place in June
2012. The Island of San Pedro was suggested as the venue for the next
CISSCAD meeting, but costs would need to be considered before final
approval.
Dr. Gerardo De Cossio (PAHO/WHO) suggested that it was necessary to
institutionalize all the agreements and plans of CISSCAD.
Magistra Leticia Vega proposed to seek a way of working more wisely
and in a less complicated manner. CISSCAD is poised to achieve great
goals, in communication, and team work. In Methodology, we will
reconvene to follow up the two missing countries: Guatemala and
Costa Rica.
SECTION OF RECOMMENDATIONS, DECISIONS OF THE FIRST ORDINARY
MEETING 2012

Magistra Leticia Vega made the following recommendations:
1. That Belize be included in the CISSCAD logo; it was voted upon
and this was approved unanimously.
2. It was recommended and approved to standardize all of
CISSCAD’s promotional material and also the use of the blue
colour.
3. It was agreed that all countries will use the approved colour when
promoting CISCAD’s products. The colour will no longer be light
blue but a deeper blue (RGB 30.33.113; CMYK 100.97.0.30)
4. Belize will cover the expenses of CISSCAD’s Corporation Image
Manual.
5. That it would be convenient for CISSCAD to participate in the next
meeting of RESSCAD scheduled for June 2012 in Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic.
6. That in CISSCAD’s logo, the map of the Dominican Republic is
proportionally represented with the dimensions of the other
countries. This recommendation was approved.
7. Invite Guatemala and Costa Rica to integrate into the Work Plan.
Magistra lesbian Arrocha made the following recommendations:
RESSCAD gives CISSCAD a space in order to update topics and we
should take this opportunity to expose CISSCAD and unite our
efforts. It is also necessary to know that CISSCAD holds the Vice
Presidency of RESSCAD.

The second day’s meeting ended at 2.30 p.m.
All present were satisfied with these Minutes, they sign it as a
show of approval, dated 2 nd March, 2012.
Name and Surname Organization Signature
Magistra Leticia Vega Social Security Board of
Belize
(signed)
Dr. Ramon Figueroa
(signed)
Licda. Marianela Guerra
Ing. Claudia Izaguirre Honduran Social Security
Dr. Hugo Rodriguez Institute
Dr. Leonel A. Flores Salvadoran Social
Security Institute
Lic. Roberto J. Leal Nicaraguan Social
Security Institute
Lic. Marlon De Souza Panama’s Social Security
Lic. Grace de Murcia Board
Dra. Juana Gonzalez Dominican Republic’s
National Council for
Social Security
Costa Rica’s Social
Security Board
Guatemala’s Social
Security Institute
(signed)
(signed)
(signed)
(signed)
(signed)
(signed)
(signed)
(signed)
(Absent)
(Absent)