Sustainable housing for the central provinces of Panama

Francisco Rivas Ríos.

apronad@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/apronadpanama/

According to data provided by the Ministry of Housing and Land Planning (MIVIOT) of Panama, the housing deficit accumulated to 2025, was 163, 565 homes. The following table breaks down the deficit by provinces, including the solutions produced by the government, private and self-construction sector in 2014.  In the Central Provinces (Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas), the deficit reaches 33.833 homes.

The terms of reference indicate that social housing with an area of 40.96 m2 and the supply and installation of a single system of sewage treatment is built for each housing (including the design of the treatment system, field absorption and percolation tests each batch).

The houses consist of:

• Dining room.
• Two bedrooms.
• Kitchen.
• Toilet and shower.
• Laundry Area
• A small portal.

In addition will be built with the following characteristics: block walls or the like, plastered as indicated by the level, the roof will covered with sheets of zinc enamel on strollers, the floor is concrete finishing trowel, palette windows glass exterior doors wood-lined sheet metal.

In August 2015 the bid Miviot 500 homes in the province of Los Santos, with a price tag of $, the winning company 7,950,000 (Consortium Rodsa / LCC) offered a net price of $ 8,172,995 ($ 16,345.99), to which was added 7% tax ITBMS.

APRONAD together with other NGOs, located in the central provinces, have joined forces to present MIVIOT consideration of a proposal aimed at incorporating sustainability criteria "Techos de Esperanza" program.

We have started making contacts with foundations in the United States and Europe for the design and construction of sustainable housing, job creation and training specialized in the local human resources, the provision of sustainable water systems and sewage systems and solutions renewable energy.

This initiative is open to professional and non-governmental organizations to contribute their knowledge and experiences in sustainable housing.

Poor rural areas of Panama have no one to build it

Francisco Rivas Ríos.

apronad@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/apronadpanama/

"I have no business wanting to go to that tender Good morning and thank you." It was the terse reply of a broker, the interest of investors to participate in a Public Bidding Government of Panama for the construction of a water treatment in the Province of Darien, with an estimated value of $ US 15.0 million (Improvement and Extension of Water Treatment Plant of Villa Darien, Township of Metetí, Pinogana District, Province of Darien).

The government of Panama is preparing to invest US $ 300 million in infrastructure projects in the Ngäbe - Buglé. However, several acts have been declared "deserts" for lack of interested companies. It has resources but it takes companies to build the works. 

For example, in the past decade, millions of dollars were invested in the construction of more than one hundred aqueducts in the Ngäbe - Buglé and latrines, which ended deteriorated for lack of maintenance (aqueducts) and in many cases disuse or poor construction (latrines).

What were the reasons for that failure? Government officials argue that all was due to the lack of commitment of indigenous communities and their leaders in maintenance. Traditional authorities, however, offer other compelling explanations: (a) investments were planned from office "chilled" in the capital with a focus on "top-down"; (b) designs systems were performed in the absence of the community during the dry season, regardless of modification of river flows in the rainy season; (c) contractors, in an effort to save costs and maximize profits, they altered the original designs and acquired inferior materials; and (d) corrupt officials responsible for the inspection of works, let a bad construction of aqueducts and latrines at a high price.

In remote regions of Panama has a long history of failure and frustration, regarding public investments. There is a "black legend" that frightens investors. 

These proposals should include aspects such as respect for the cultural identity of indigenous peoples and poor rural communities. For purposes it is recommended: hiring expertor in the social area, the budget for programs and projects; to assist in establishing relations of cooperation and support to the activities of enterprises.