Panama’s Ministry of Environment has ordered an immediate halt to a high-rise construction project in Panama City’s Marbella district as reported on here. The agency imposed a $10,000 fine on the developer, The Panoramic Residences Corp., for illegally discharging sediment-laden water into the Matasnillo River. This enforcement action followed a citizen complaint and subsequent inspection this week.
Inspectors confirmed the existence of a clandestine connection to the stormwater system. This illegal pipe was discharging water contaminated with concrete-like sediments directly into the river, a clear violation of the project’s approved environmental permit. The project, known as Moderna 360 Urban Living, is a planned 23-story residential tower on Los Jades Street.
“The Ministry of Environment ordered the immediate stoppage of a construction project in Marbella after detecting an illegal discharge of sediment-laden waters into the Matasnillo River, in response to a citizen complaint.” [Translated from Spanish]
The ministry mandated not only the work stoppage and fine but also required the developer to immediately execute all necessary corrective actions to repair the environmental damage. Officials documented poor waste management practices and inadequate containment structures at the site, which exacerbated the issue. The developer’s legal and environmental representative is listed as Nassly Argentina de la Concepción Ruiz Sequeira.
Permit Conditions Were Explicitly Violated
The project’s approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a Category I study, contained specific prohibitions. A core condition explicitly forbade any discharge of water into the Matasnillo River. The permit also required all activities to proceed without affecting the river’s flow or water quality and prohibited depositing any materials or waste in the watercourse.
Findings from the Ministry of Environment (Panama) inspection directly contradicted these legally binding conditions. Visual evidence of the violation circulated widely on social media, showing a pipe ejecting large volumes of murky water. The incident highlights the challenges of managing construction runoff in dense urban areas, where improper handling can lead directly to river pollution.
This is not the first time the Moderna 360 project has faced scrutiny. Local residents had previously raised concerns about its scale and impact.
Project Faced Prior Community Scrutiny
Bella Vista district representative César Kiamco formally relayed neighborhood concerns to the Ministry of Environment in October 2025. Residents from nearby buildings, including the PH Torre del Pacífico A, questioned the project’s land use, density, parking availability, and proposed mitigation measures in the high-pressure urban zone.
Following news of the fine and stoppage, Kiamco emphasized the need to determine the full scope of the environmental impact. He acknowledged that sediment runoff is common at construction sites but stressed that proper treatment before entering the drainage system is non-negotiable. The ministry’s swift response demonstrates a continued focus on enforcement, following other recent actions like the miambiente orden for a comprehensive mine audit.
The developer must now comply with the corrective order before work can resume. Ministry officials will likely conduct follow-up inspections to verify that all mitigation measures are properly implemented. The case serves as a public reminder of the environmental safeguards required for coastal urban development in Panama.