Draft bill 20.

Summary.

The draft bill proposes regulating the use of radio spectrum and state broadcasting infrastructure for emergencies throughout Panama. It creates the Emergency and Resilience Broadcasting Network (Red de Difusión para Emergencias y Resiliencia, REDER) as an official system and the Single National Emergency Frequency (Frecuencia Única de Emergencias Nacionales, FUEN) as an FM channel for alerts, instructions and prevention. It defines early warning, active and preventive phases, and portable emergency repeaters. The signal would be free, continuous, sourced from verified institutions and intended to reach the entire population, including persons with disabilities, older adults, and rural and comarca communities. Broadcast information would have to be accurate and free of speculation or sensationalism.

REDER would bring together infrastructure, personnel, protocols and assets assigned to its operation. It would be jointly attached to the National Civil Protection System (Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil, SINAPROC) and the State Radio and Television System (Sistema Estatal de Radio y Televisión, SERTV), which would direct operations and content. The National Public Services Authority (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos, ASEP) would direct technical spectrum matters. The system would use their existing structures and resources without creating a new entity or administrative structure. Under the National Frequency Allocation Plan, ASEP would assign the FM frequency by reasoned resolution, ensuring effective nationwide coverage and avoiding interference with other spectrum assignments. Use of FUEN would be reserved for emergencies, risk management and preventive content. Commercial, advertising, partisan and unrelated transmissions would be prohibited, and every broadcast would identify the channel as official.

Operations would first use available state infrastructure. If that proved insufficient, additional antennas could be installed to seek coverage across the ten provinces, the five Indigenous comarcas and hard to reach population centers, subject to budget availability. SINAPROC could administer portable repeaters, and links could connect the central studio with the Emergency Operations Center (Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias), the Geosciences Institute of the University of Panama (Instituto de Geociencias de la Universidad de Panamá) and the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología). Transmission and operating infrastructure would require photovoltaic solar panels and backup batteries. SERTV and SINAPROC would set technical standards by resolution after consulting ASEP and the National Energy Secretariat (Secretaría Nacional de Energía).

In the active phase, FUEN would replace all ordinary programming with uninterrupted evacuation instructions, safe routes, safety reports, information on victims and rescue coordination. In the preventive phase, it would broadcast education on risks, first aid, potential threats, drills and safe mobility. Both phases would require plain language, detailed audio descriptions of routes, hazards and emergency resources for persons with visual disabilities, and standardized warning sounds before emergency messages. The frequency could also carry Amber Alerts concerning missing minors and other specialized alerts. SERTV and SINAPROC would coordinate protocols with the Ministry of Government (Ministerio de Gobierno), the Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública), the Ministry of Social Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social) and the National Police (Policía Nacional). SINAPROC would prepare a preventive programming plan addressing natural threats, family emergency kits, drills and vulnerable groups.

REDER would become part of the dissemination pillar of the Early Warning System of the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá). Content could draw on information from the Geosciences Institute of the University of Panama, the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, the Panama Canal Authority (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá), the National Aeronaval Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval), the Meritorious Panama Fire Department (Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Panamá), the Panamanian Red Cross (Cruz Roja Panameña), the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) and the National Police. Additional infrastructure would be subject to need, efficiency and budget availability. SINAPROC would publish an annual report on management and resources. Interference with the signal during the active phase would carry a fine of between five thousand balboas (B/. 5,000.00) and ten thousand balboas (B/. 10,000.00), immediate suspension of telecommunications concessions or operating permits held by the offender, and any other applicable liability. The Executive Branch would issue regulations within ninety (90) days after promulgation; the law would take effect six months after promulgation in the Official Gazette. The proposal could concern the named public bodies, broadcasters and telecommunications operators, emergency services, and communities exposed to hazards.