New Post-Earthquake Inspection Forms Are Set to Standardize Building Reviews

PANAMA, October 23, 2026 — Panama’s Ministry of Public Works and the Technical Board of Engineers and Architects have presented an Initial Safety Assessment Form and Post-Earthquake Inspection Certificates intended to standardize reviews of buildings affected by the October 9 earthquake.

The documents were presented October 22 at the SPIA’s Sala de Expresidentes. The report identified the MOP, the JTIA, the permanent consultative committee for Panama’s Structural Regulation and several technical committees as participants.

Why a standard format matters

After a major earthquake, people need clear and consistent information about a structure’s condition. A shared inspection framework can help authorized professionals record findings in a comparable way and make it easier for residents, owners and authorities to understand what a notice means.

The report said the documents and a new evaluation matrix will be published in the Official Gazette, making compliance mandatory. Notices must be placed in visible parts of properties with technical support from authorized professionals.

Do not treat a building notice as guesswork

Residents should wait for official, professionally supported assessments rather than interpreting cracks, markings or online photographs on their own. A visible notice can communicate an important safety finding, but a reader should seek clarification from the responsible authority or qualified professional for a specific property.

The new process is an administrative and technical response, not a guarantee that every inspection is instantly complete. Panama Now Online will follow publication in the Official Gazette and future official guidance on how the forms will be used.

Source: Metro Libre report on the MOP and JTIA presentation, October 22, 2026.