Panama, September 11, 2025. - Realizing for the importance of care for our historic monuments, the creation and adequacy of public spaces for the development of art and culture in all communities as possible, Minister of Culture María Eugenia Herrera supported at the National Assembly her budget proposal for 2026.

The budget requested by the Ministry of Culture amounts to $142.8 million. A rather important contribution to this amount goes to the development of the historic monuments of Portobelo that have been declared an endangered heritage by the UNESCO in 2011. To overcome this, projects have been worked to restore this fortification and have been given orders to conduct work with Santiago de la Gloria, San Jerónimo, San Fernando, San Lorenzo and Portobelo Church.

Other important projects currently under way include the restoration of Reina Torres de Araúz Museum, institutional strengthening and the Pact for Culture by 2030 and National Plan of Cultures that we have been developing from the communities with their particular needs and requirements.

Minister Herrera explained the importance of providing resources to projects currently under way as Latidos del Barrio to achieve long-term sustainable development that will guarantee the continuity of the human part
"that's really true to me, the sustainable development of children and the knowledge and care of older adults as an integral development of their community."

On the other hand, the restoration and equipment of libraries at the national level bearing in mind that the ministry currently operates 81 libraries, of which only 44 are suitable for proper operation in the inventory.

Additional includes strengthening of the core of the symphonic orchestra, the network of youth chores and orchestra, and strengthening of historic sites declared as human heritage and including continuous maintenance and making Panama a film hub,
programmes for the rehabilitation and construction of Fine Arts Cultural Centres at national level.

The restoration of the old train station at Colón that is a historic piece we have to highlight is also planned. The strengthening of the national creative ecosystem and the promotion of the sustainable creative economy of the native peoples.

Finally, the Minister responded to the Commissioner's questions and clarified all the questions about his investment project and established the need to conduct a maintenance plan at all our historic, cultural and fine arts centers.