Panama, 21 August 2026. The Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, supported and achieved approval before the National Assembly's Budget Commission for a $5,191,579.00 leave to fund in 2026 the project "Latidos del Barrio," an initiative focused on transforming pits and abandoned public areas into community centres of art, training and sports into high social risk areas.

The requested budget includes the implementation of four projects at San Joaquin, Cinta Costera 3, Ciudad Esperanza at Arraiján and the Metropolitan Cultural Centre with a view to adapting technologies, furniture, maintenance of infrastructure and the activation of training networks in dance, theater, plastic arts and sports.

With partnerships with the First Lady's Office, the Goals Secretariat and the support of UNDP, an entity with responsibility for transparent management of resources, the programme aims to extend its reach to Darién Province.

During its maintenance, where it was accompanied by the MiCultura technical team with Vielka Muñoz, Sandra Cerrud, Samilight Stanziola and Samuel Salcedo, the incumbent of MiCultura reported advances of 15% at the centre of San Joaquín, 8% at Ciudad Esperanza, as well as his work at the Ripple 3.
The Commission's members expressed their appreciation for the proposal for an initiative that, according to Minister Herrera, shows how low economic projects have a direct human impact on more than 8,500 children and youth.