Summary.
The bill concerns municipal government and proposes adding a function to the exclusive powers of the Municipal Councils (Consejos Municipales). Article 1 describes Law 106 of 1973 as the law governing the operation of municipalities and their local community boards in Panama. It also sets out the duty of municipal authorities to comply with and enforce the Constitution and laws of the Republic, decrees and orders of the Executive Branch, and decisions of ordinary and administrative courts. This description places the proposed provision within the powers and duties of municipal authorities.
Article 2 amends Article 17 of Law 106 of 1973 by adding an item to the list of functions within the exclusive competence of Municipal Councils. The proposed function is to coordinate festivities in their respective districts when those festivities mark patron saints’ days or the founding of each district, corregimiento (district), or community. The provision associates those celebrations with the main towns where they are traditionally held. Its wording presents coordination as a council function concerning the festivities covered by the new item within each council’s respective district.
For that coordination, the proposed item provides for the involvement of representatives and the organized community in a town meeting, accompanied by the mayor of each district. The proposal thus brings together the municipal council, representatives, the organized community, and the mayor in arranging the celebrations it describes. Article 3 restates the scope of the amendment: an item is added to Article 17 of Law 106 of 1973 on Municipal Government. The change is confined to the council’s list of powers and the coordination of those festivities; the bill’s articles establish no further procedure for them.
Article 4 provides that the proposed law would take effect on the day following its promulgation. Accordingly, the new municipal function would become part of the municipal government framework at that point if the bill becomes law. The public bodies connected with its subject matter are the Municipal Councils, municipal authorities, local community boards, and mayors. The Executive Branch and ordinary and administrative courts are also mentioned in connection with the duties described in Article 1. The subject matter could be of interest to representatives, organized communities, and people who take part in patron saint or founding festivities in the districts, corregimientos (districts), and communities of Panama.
What it proposes.
- Municipal Councils’ powers within municipal government.
- Coordination of patron saint and founding festivities.
- Traditional celebrations in main towns and community participation.
Who it would affect.
- Municipal Councils
- Mayors and representatives of the respective districts
- Organized communities participating in the festivities
Key points.
- Describes Law 106 of 1973 as governing the operation of municipalities and local community boards in Panama.Art. 1
- Sets out municipal authorities’ duty to comply with and enforce the Constitution, laws, Executive Branch acts, and the specified court decisions.Art. 1
- Proposes adding an item to the Municipal Councils’ exclusive powers under Article 17 of Law 106 of 1973.Art. 2
- Assigns Municipal Councils the coordination of festivities associated with patron saints or the founding of districts, corregimientos (districts), or communities.Art. 2
- Locates those traditional celebrations in their main towns and provides for coordination with representatives and the organized community in a town meeting, accompanied by the mayor.Art. 2
- Restates that the amendment adds an item to Article 17 of Law 106 of 1973.Art. 3
- Provides for entry into force on the day following promulgation.Art. 4