Bill 535.

Summary.

The bill establishes a framework to protect the historical memory and cultural expressions of Barrio Bolívar, located in the corregimiento of David Este, district of David, province of Chiriquí. It would apply in the district of David, with national reach for cultural and tourism promotion. It defines, among other concepts, the bearer community, Tambor Peligreño, community participation, cultural safeguarding and the Special Safeguarding Plan. It recognizes the neighborhood, formerly called Barrio El Peligro, as a site of historical and cultural value; recognizes the Tambor Peligreño Festival as a traditional cultural expression; sets its annual celebration for November 27 and 28; declares preservation of the tradition a matter of public cultural and community interest; and establishes November 28 as Tambor Peligreño Community Cultural Civic Day in the corregimiento of David Este.

The bill recognizes the Tambor Peligreño Festival Patronato (Patronato del Festival del Tambor Peligreño) as organizer, with legal personality, its own assets and administrative autonomy. Its board would include representatives of local authorities, the Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura), the Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación), the Panama Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá), the Chiriquí Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture, Industry and Tourism, the Diocese of David, the neighborhood’s founding families and the folkloric tradition. Each member would have an alternate and serve for one (1) year. Before taking office, both would file declarations of interests; conflicts of interest and contracts with the Patronato would bar board membership. Board officers would be elected by simple majority.

To select the founding families’ representative, the bill requires proof of continuous residence for no less than twenty (20) years, cultural involvement over no less than two (2) generations, community recognition and cultural activity within the last ten (10) years. The Ministry of Culture’s Chiriquí Regional Office (Dirección Regional del Ministerio de Cultura) would prepare the list of bearers within fifteen (15) calendar days following promulgation. Each listed family could nominate one (1) candidate during five (5) business days; the Patronato would then hold a public drawing within the following five (5) business days. If there were no nominations or a dispute, the Ministry of Culture, through the Chiriquí Regional Office (Dirección Regional de Chiriquí), would appoint the representative directly.

The Patronato would organize the Festival, ensure participation by tradition bearers, prepare a safeguarding plan, obtain support, publish the schedule and submit annual reports. It would keep accounts and contribution records and permit oversight of public funds by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República). Its assets would include property, donations, inheritances, contributions and lawful proceeds from cultural activities. With the Ministry of Culture, it would support a register of bearers and documentation of cultural memory. That ministry would advance the Special Safeguarding Plan; the Ministry of Education would promote activities in schools without altering the official curriculum, and state media could publicize the Festival.

The Panama Tourism Authority could include the Festival in its cultural tourism strategies. Spaces for crafts, food and local enterprises could be provided under municipal coordination. The Municipality of David (Municipio de David), through its Territorial Planning Directorate (Dirección de Ordenamiento Territorial), would safeguard the neighborhood’s architectural identity; works and land uses would comply with municipal rules and acquired rights. Funding could come from fundraising, agreements, donations and state contributions subject to budget availability. Public contributions would require an annual report on their use. The institutions would coordinate the Festival, and the Patronato would adopt its bylaws and internal regulations within six (6) months following promulgation. The bill would concern residents and tradition bearers, schools, artisans, food businesses and the tourism sector.