{"id":18255,"date":"2026-10-23T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=18255"},"modified":"2026-10-23T12:21:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T17:21:48","slug":"they-are-earthquake-resistant-assures-the-vice-minister-regarding-housing-for-victims-of-the-october-9-quake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/they-are-earthquake-resistant-assures-the-vice-minister-regarding-housing-for-victims-of-the-october-9-quake\/","title":{"rendered":"They are Earthquake-Resistant! Assures the Vice Minister Regarding Housing for Victims of the October 9 Quake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Panamanian government has released specifications for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Earthquake-resistant_structures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">earthquake relief homes<\/a><\/strong> that will house families displaced by the October 9 seismic event, with models ranging from 43 to 46 square meters and featuring reinforced structural elements. Vice Minister of Housing Fernando M\u00e9ndez confirmed the designs include two bedrooms, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Earthquake-resistant_structures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">seismic beams<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rainwater_harvesting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">water harvesting systems<\/a>, marking a shift into the <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/politics-government\/housing-reconstruction-in-panamanian-central-provinces-begins-with-debris-removal\/\" rel=\"internal\">reconstruction phase<\/a> after initial <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/crime-safety\/housing-assessment-earthquake-response-tops-10000-homes-in-panama\/\" rel=\"internal\">damage assessments<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement comes as government teams continue reaching <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/politics-government\/post-earthquake-inspection-teams-reach-remote-veraguas-coastal-communities\/\" rel=\"internal\">remote communities<\/a> to complete evaluations. More than 90 percent of the data needed to project aid distribution has been collected, according to M\u00e9ndez, though some areas remain inaccessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">\u00a1La reconstrucci\u00f3n ya est\u00e1 en marcha!\n\nBajo las directrices del Gobierno Nacional y del presidente @JoseRaulMulino, avanzamos con la reconstrucci\u00f3n de las viviendas afectadas por el sismo a trav\u00e9s de tres programas habitacionales:\n\ud83d\udc47\ud83c\udffb https:\/\/t.co\/Xyj9jPNjcx<\/p>&mdash; Panama Hoy (@PanamaHoy_) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PanamaHoy_\/status\/2113670723998998885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 23, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Earthquake Relief Homes Design and Structural Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The standardized blueprints incorporate zapatas, seismic beams, columns, and tie beams, all aligned with the Panamanian Structural Regulation. M\u00e9ndez said the plans were previously approved and backed by professionals to ensure structural resistance. The 46-square-meter units will accommodate people with disabilities and include specific adaptations for their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each home will have two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, laundry area, and a biodigester. Water harvesting systems and reserve tanks are also part of the design, addressing storage needs in affected zones. The government will provide a basic housing solution financed without mortgages, allowing families to expand later based on technical recommendations and their own resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/casa-destruida-en-macaracas-1200x800-1.webp\" alt=\"House on rubbles in Azuero\" class=\"wp-image-17993\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/casa-destruida-en-macaracas-1200x800-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/casa-destruida-en-macaracas-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The emergency decree allows expedited procedures for rebuilding on original plots through a sworn declaration, provided site conditions are safe. House on rubbles in Azuero.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reconstruction Permits and Site Evaluations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The emergency decree allows expedited procedures for rebuilding on original plots through a sworn declaration, provided site conditions are safe. Where terrain is unsuitable, officials must evaluate alternative locations. Contracts also cover demolition of damaged structures and debris removal to prepare usable land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">M\u00e9ndez noted that some affected residents have expressed interest in receiving construction materials rather than a completed home. That option will be reviewed in a later phase. A manual of good construction practices will be distributed to guide families through any future expansions or self-built additions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hvvf4ulxsaazgqm-1200x800-1.webp\" alt=\"House Models by Raisa B.\" class=\"wp-image-18257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hvvf4ulxsaazgqm-1200x800-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hvvf4ulxsaazgqm-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ore than 90 percent of the data needed to project aid distribution has been collected, according to M\u00e9ndez, though some areas remain inaccessible. House Models by Raisa B.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Digital Registry and Local Economic Revival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Ministry of Housing has launched an online platform where affected people can register their cases and track application status. The system aims to centralize requests while supporting economic reactivation through the hiring of local labor for reconstruction work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">M\u00e9ndez explained that the process has moved into its second phase, which covers reconstruction and contractor assignment. Earlier stages involved inspections, information gathering, and census completion for displaced families. The standardized plans will streamline contractor work across multiple sites while maintaining consistent safety standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/De1pd6RFJ7z\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/De1pd6RFJ7z\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">Ver esta publicaci\u00f3n en Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/De1pd6RFJ7z\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Una publicaci\u00f3n compartida por TVN Noticias (@tvnnoticias)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Panamanian government has released specifications for earthquake relief homes that will house families displaced by the October 9 seismic event, with models ranging from 43 to 46 square meters and featuring reinforced structural elements. Vice Minister of Housing Fernando M\u00e9ndez confirmed the designs include two bedrooms, seismic beams, and water harvesting systems, marking a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18256,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,34,29],"tags":[7493,7618,50,7617,7616],"class_list":["post-18255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business-economy","category-living","category-politics-government","tag-housing","tag-housing-reconstruction","tag-panama","tag-seismic-design-standards","tag-seismic-safety"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18255"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18258,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18255\/revisions\/18258"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}