INAC Will Present Coastal Strip Phase 3 Proposal To UNESCO

The Director of National Institute of Culture (INAC), Maruja Herrera, confirmed today 22 June on Telemetro that next week she will participate in the meeting of the World Heritage Committee to present the project of the third phase of the coastal strip. The proposal took a year to develop and had the cooperation of national and international experts. "We are optimistic that the World Heritage Committee will accept this very important project for Panama," said Maruja. She added that INAC is working not only on the Cinta Costera project, but also that of Old Panama. They are also working with the patronage of Portobelo and San Lorenzo. The World Heritage Committee will be tasked with evaluating the proposal presented by Panama, where they hope it will have a positive impact, said the director. However, it is possible that San Felipe is at risk of losing its accreditation as a World Heritage Site, if the third phase of the coastal strip is built. The meeting will take place in Russia, where 148 countries participated. (Estrella)

Maruja Herrera - Director of Panama's National Institute of Culture (INAC)

Editor's Comment: Because if Panama builds an infrastructure project anywhere near Casco Viejo, that would make it less of a "jewel" for humanity? I mean, it's not like they're going to bulldoze the place and build a Walmart. But I "get it" - the idea is to protect the old part of Panama City.