Panama, January 14, 2026.- The National Assembly adopted, at third debate, Bill 268, which creates the sponsorship of the Colón Center of Art and Culture, figure that will guarantee the continuity and sustainability of space as a public policy.

The Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, defended the initiative with deputies and highlighted social, cultural and economic results of the Centre: between 2024 and 2025 she generated more than B / .938 million, received 46,800 visitors and attended to 7,600 students in artistic programs.

He also emphasized the impact on citizen security with 35.4% reductions in robberies and 85.71% in homicide in Barrio Sur, according to official statistics.

The aims of the Board of Trustees are to manage the old building of the Abel Bravo Training Center, a historic monument, and to conduct educational and cultural projects consistent with the guidelines of the General Cultural Act and to manage, preserve and safeguard this property of the State.
The Board of Directors will consist of public institutions, the corporate sector and civil society and will appoint an executive director for seven years to advance a model of cultural governance.

The project was approved by the National Assembly with 51 votes in favour and now goes to the sanction of President José Raúl Mulino for promulgation in Official Gazette.

At the parliamentary centre, Minister Herrera was accompanied by the director of the Colón Center of Art and Culture, Abel Aronátegui, and the Director of Legal Advice, Beatriz Castañet and his advisor, Aaron Schocron.