City cable burial delayed again

THE LONG PROMISED burial of cables in Panama city‘s main thoroughfares has been put off once again.

The Ministry of Housing and Territorial Regulations, agreed a few days ago with urban project developers to postpone the burial because it would involve an increase in housing prices.

The latest l program was set to start on 1 September, but by Executive Order No. 382 will begin in January 2014.
The National Housing Developers (Convivienda) estimated that, because of the project, the price of houses will increase by $6000 or $7000.
According to Elisa Suarez Convivienda executive director, the postponement was to give time analyze the problem and keep homes costing more than $40,000 from suffering a significant increase for consumers.
The project will be examined from two perspectives he said.
“First we evaluate the rules governing building to reform and allow the use of cheaper building materials” he said.
In addition, meetings will be held with the Public Services Authority (ASEP) with the objective that the burial is not paid for by housing developers, but by the electricity companies as they are the main beneficiaries.
"We want to clearly define the participation of all entities in this process, and thus reduce costs as much as possible," said Suarez.
The idea of the promoters is that if the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (SPIA) approve or endorse the use of cheaper materials to build homes, you could reduce the cost of housing.
The quality tests of materials would be conducted through the University of Panama.
"We must find a way to not pass the cost to the buyer. So we are holding meetings with the Ministry of Public Works, which is responsible for regulating the issue, "said Suarez.
In the case of the ASEP, Convivienda expected to reach an agreement with power companies to assume the economic cost of the project.
Geronimo Espitia, coordinator of the Planning Commission of the SPIA, said the problem of burying wires is its high economic cost.
He argues that the cost of the burial has to fall on power companies, since they are those related to these wires."They must bear the cost",
According to the Public Services Authority (ASEP), the underground project has begun with the construction of civil works for underground beams.
This December the installation of electrical cables. will be tendered. The entire project will last 36 months and is divided into three consecutive stages. The work area where the burial place is bounded by Calle 50 via Brazil, via Spain and Federico Boyd Avenue ( On the streets that are in this polygon underground cables, electric or telecommunications. will be buried. It is estimated that in this area and its, 90% is of a commercial nature.