COLON, Panama – The Panamanian government has handed over 600 new apartments and 37 property titles to families in Colon province. Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac led the ceremony at the Colon Art and Culture Center on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
The massive housing delivery marks the completion of the second phase of the Altos de Los Lagos urban project. Minister Orillac joined Housing Minister Jaime Jované and National Land Administration Authority (ANATI) Administrator Andrés Pagés for the event. The initiative transforms lives for hundreds of families who lived in overcrowded shelters and old tenement buildings for years.
Altos de Los Lagos Project Details
The Altos de Los Lagos second phase includes 20 tower buildings with ground floors and four upper levels. Each tower contains 30 apartments, offering two and three-bedroom units. The development will positively impact roughly 3,000 residents of Colon province.
Total public investment for the project reaches B/.179,238,980. The development sits on a 30-hectare land parcel and will eventually include 1,620 apartments across 54 towers once fully completed.
Minister Orillac celebrated the achievement for the families receiving homes. He said the effort “reflects the will to work for a more inclusive country, where more Panamanians can access a safe home with basic services and spaces that promote coexistence and family growth.” [Translated from Spanish]
Families With Disabilities Receive Priority Housing
The government prioritized families with members who have disabilities during the allocation process. This aligns with the work of the National Secretariat for Disability Panama (Senadis), which certifies individuals requiring specialized support.
María Rivera Sanjur, 38, is one beneficiary who lived in overcrowded conditions. She stayed with a relative in the El Valle sector of Cativá township in Colon district. Rivera will share her new home with her 15-year-old daughter Milagros Campbell, who has a diagnosis of infantile cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.
Campbell receives specialized care in Pediatric Neurology at the Children’s Hospital. She holds official certification from Senadis for her disability status.
Another family benefiting from the housing includes elderly couple Saida Richardson, 69, and Jorge Cuadra, 71, along with their son Lorenzo, 48. They previously lived in a difficult-access location in the San Martín community of Cativá. Richardson has a physical disability that limits her mobility due to a double supracondylar amputation, making her a wheelchair user. She also manages type 2 diabetes mellitus and requires an accessible environment adapted to her needs.
Property Titles Secure Land Rights for Colon Residents
ANATI delivered 37 property titles during the same ceremony. More than 150 people will benefit from these land documents. The titles provide legal security and enable families to access credit and invest in their properties.
The National Secretariat for Decentralization has supported similar initiatives across Panama. Property formalization remains a key government strategy for reducing poverty and promoting economic development.
The housing and title delivery represents a significant step for Panama Colon province housing development. Colon province has historically faced housing deficits and infrastructure challenges.
Government Housing Strategy and Next Steps
The Mulino administration has made housing a central pillar of its social policy. The second phase of Altos de Los Lagos demonstrates the government’s commitment to reducing the housing gap in Panama. Officials said construction will continue on remaining towers to meet the full 1,620-unit target.
Families began moving into their new apartments immediately after receiving keys. The Ministry of Housing confirmed that basic services including water, electricity, and sewage systems are fully operational. Common areas and green spaces within the complex promote community interaction.
Minister Orillac emphasized that these deliveries are just the beginning. The government plans additional housing projects across other provinces. Colon province will see further investment in infrastructure and social services to support the growing population.
The 37 property titles distributed by ANATI cover various locations within Colon province. Land administration officials said they are processing additional title requests from residents in informal settlements. Regularization of land tenure remains a priority for the National Land Administration Authority.