Hundreds of families in Panama Oeste province may finally see their dreams of homeownership become reality. The Ministry of Housing and Land Management Panama has officially relaunched the long-dormant Loma de Mastranto housing project, a development that sat abandoned for more than 15 years. Thieves stripped the empty homes of everything valuable, from copper wiring to bathroom fixtures. Now the government is stepping in to rebuild from scratch.
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From Vandalism to Renewal
What was once a symbol of broken promises became a target for scavengers. Ariel Guevara, the provincial director for Miviot, described the scene during a recent inspection.
“It’s heartbreaking. They took doors, windows, toilets, and in some cases even the roofs,” he said. [Translated from Spanish]
The damage forced officials to rethink the entire project. Instead of simply finishing what was started, crews will now demolish and rebuild many of the existing structures. The new contract includes a permanent security plan to prevent a repeat of the vandalism.
The project sits in a region that has seen rapid growth but persistent housing shortages. Panama Oeste has become a bedroom community for the capital, yet infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. The Loma de Mastranto revival aims to address this gap with 250 new homes alongside major infrastructure upgrades.
New Bidding Process Underway
The PanamaCompra procurement portal already lists the tender documents. Companies interested in the project must submit their proposals by July 13, when the admission phase begins. A commission will then evaluate each bid before awarding the contract. Guevara expects construction could start before the end of 2026.
The original contractor, Calixo, reached a mutual agreement with Miviot to terminate their contract. This legal settlement cleared the path for a fresh start. The new winner will handle everything from street construction to storm drainage systems. A brand new wastewater treatment plant will replace the outdated infrastructure that never properly functioned.
Who Gets the Homes?
The original beneficiaries selected more than 15 years ago will face a reevaluation process. Many have since moved away, purchased other properties, or no longer qualify under current criteria. Guevara confirmed that the ministry will open applications to new candidates, including families displaced by recent natural disasters across the country.
“We’ve given new people the opportunity to apply for the program, taking into account the housing needs that exist today,” Guevara explained. [Translated from Spanish] This shift reflects changing demographics and more urgent cases that have emerged over the past decade and a half.
The project is expected to generate more than 200 direct construction jobs. For a province where Panama Oeste province housing has long been a political talking point, this represents tangible progress. Local leaders have pressed for years to break the bureaucratic logjam that kept the development in limbo.
Housing advocates note that Panama faces a deficit of roughly 170,000 homes nationwide. Projects like Loma de Mastranto, while significant, only scratch the surface. Still, for the families who will eventually move into these rebuilt homes, the revival represents a second chance at stability. The ministry has pledged transparency throughout the process, with regular updates posted to the public procurement system.
Guevara summed up the sentiment simply: “We’re going to recover this project and give an answer to Panama Oeste.” [Translated from Spanish]
After 15 years of waiting, that answer can’t come soon enough.
#NoticiasTVN ¿Verá la luz? Miviot reactivará proyecto habitacional Loma de Mastranto; licitación ya está en marcha. https://t.co/vELxlEjVvu
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