Panama’s government reported Saturday that earthquake reconstruction progress has reached a major infrastructure milestone, with 92 percent of damaged roads now open to traffic following the October 9 seismic event. Officials also confirmed that all 22 bridges identified with structural concerns have reopened, though some remain under restricted use pending full rehabilitation.
The announcement came during a press conference led by José Ramón Icaza, minister for Canal Affairs and secretary of Presidential Goals, who outlined housing recovery plans, social assistance figures, and ongoing risk monitoring across affected provinces.
Housing Strategy Tailored to Structural Damage
Icaza explained that housing solutions will vary based on technical assessments of each damaged structure. The government’s approach includes building entirely new homes for families who lost their residences, partially reconstructing recoverable structures, and distributing construction materials for smaller repairs.
Demolition, debris removal, and new home construction are already underway in communities across Chiriquí, Veraguas, and Herrera provinces. Officials said work will soon expand to Los Pozos district in Herrera, as well as La Pintada and Antón in Coclé province.
Social Services and Shelter Operations Continue
The Ministry of Social Development maintains operations at 55 shelters across six provinces and the Ngäbe Buglé indigenous region, where approximately 3,827 people remain housed. The ministry has provided 4,131 social work interventions and 2,831 psychological support sessions to displaced families.
Basic supplies continue to be distributed to affected households. Authorities are also coordinating with chambers of commerce, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Panama’s Tourism Authority to develop support mechanisms for damaged businesses and small enterprises. Financing options for small and medium-sized companies are under evaluation, alongside direct assistance to families who lost income sources.
Landslide and Flood Risks Remain Under Watch
The National Civil Protection System, working with geologists and National Aeronaval Service personnel, continues monitoring vulnerable zones for landslide and flash flood risks. Officials warned that accumulated debris in river channels increases the danger of sudden water surges.
“Residents near rivers and streams should remain alert to possible flash floods due to the buildup of trees, soil, and other materials in the waterways” [Translated from Spanish]
Road cleaning and repair operations continue in Los Santos, Veraguas, Herrera, and Coclé provinces. The government said structural evaluations and rehabilitation work on bridges will proceed alongside traffic management measures to ensure safety while full functionality is restored.