OFF THE CUFF: Developers fight permit price increase

The National Council of Housing Promoters (Convivienda) has  predictably given a thumbs down to a Panama City Municipal Council move  to increases the fee charged for building permits.

In a carefully worded statement the body whose members usually pass-on the costs of doing business to the purchaser says:

“Convivienda strongly opposes any increase that affects the ability of Panamanian families to have access to decent housing,” The fee would increase from 0.25 percent to 1 percent for works whose value is under $500,000, and to 1.25 percent for construction projects whose value exceeds $500,000.

According to Convivienda, the measure threatens jobs generated by the construction industry, which represent a significant percentage of the workforce in Panama.

Convivienda’s statement  said  that “nothing justifies” the increase, which would impact housing prices.

It has asked Mayor José Isabel Blandón to veto the measure.

If he does he would be opposing the decision of the full plenary  of the Municipal Council.

City officials said that the increase would put Panama City in line with other municipalities.