The Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, supported before the National Assembly's Budget Commission the budget proposal of the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) for fiscal validity 2027 amounting to B / .157.6 million, aimed at strengthening artistic and cultural education, social integration, community development, prevention of violence through cultural programs and training of artists, writers, artisans and young talents.

Of the requested amount, B / .64.4 million are for operation and B / .93.1 million for investments with a portfolio that includes 65 projects distributed in different regions of the country. The main initiatives include construction of the Pollera Museum in the province of Los Santos, rehabilitation of libraries, expansion of the Latidos del Barrio program, restoration of Reina Torres de Araúz Museum, recovery of the Plaza de France and restoration of the fortifications of Portobelo and San Lorenzo.

The territorial distribution of projects includes an increased concentration in the provinces of Panama with 19 projects, with 11 projects, with 11 projects with Colón with 8 projects and with 7 projects with other initiatives aimed at meeting cultural and property needs at different points.

The Minister Herrera explained that an important part of the professional services belong to trainers and teachers who participate in artistic and cultural training programs. He also stated that MiCultura aims to move forward with continuous recruitment through competitions with the aim of strengthening institutional architecture and ensuring continuity of programs.

Herrera also recognized the existence of projects with delays due to administrative delays as well as property works that remained paralyzed for years and require recovery and rehabilitation processes and emphasized the need to continue to restore cultural spaces and to expand community programs as tools for social integration and violence prevention.

The 2027 budget proposal thus puts an emphasis on cultural investment as an instrument of education, community development and strengthening of the creative economy while prioritizing the preservation and recovery of the historic and cultural heritage of the country.

The Budget Committee of the National Assembly will continue with the process of evaluating the budget submissions of the different institutions and, as a result, the figures submitted by MiCultura are subject to an analysis and consideration by Members, taking into account both the needs put forward for 2027 and the results of the implementation of the current budget.