heritage

Old museum needs repairs

The Asociación de Amigos del Museo fear that the 19th century building will collapse

INAC authorities claim that they will make sure seasonal rains don´t further damage the roof

LA PRENSA

derelict: The museum, located in David´s old town, is the former residence of Chiriquí´s patriarch, José De Obaldía. Closed for repairs several months ago, the museum has been targeted by thieves because of its collection of silver artifacts. 1018759

"We don´t need any more patches," said the director of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (Inac), Anel Rodríguez, of the dilapidated roof and upper rooms of the 19th century building that houses the Museum José de Obaldía in David´s old town. What is needed, he said, is a special allotment approved by the Asamblea Nacional to restore the structure.

Rodríguez explained that a past administration had set aside two sums for the work, one for $29,000 and another for $40,000, which had only been enough to repair what he called a "small part" of the museum. A structural study for a comprehensive restoration has already been done, he said, adding that Chiriquí deserves a modern museum in which to display its rich culture and history.

When questioned about the possibility of assigning the museum´s maintenance to municipal authorities in David, he said he had no objections, as long as they agreed to save it. According to Rodríguez, responsibility for fixing the museum should not depend only on the national government but on the people as well, "who must lend their support to achieving this."

As the rainy season approaches, he said, Inac was already taking appropriate measures to make sure the rains wouldn´t further damage the roof.

Meanwhile, the president of the Asociación de Amigos del Museo José De Obaldía, Jaime Watson, described the current Inac administration as "unworkable." "They are useless," he said. "They just come to stroll through the province, without specifically addressing the museum´s problems."

Watson said that whenever Rodríguez visited the museum, he attempts to appease the Asociación with tall tales of what Inac will do. "I don´t want the staff to waste time in meetings with him," he said.

Asociación member Ibis Rivera said that she was saddened to see the museum in such bad shape, and was afraid to approach the building for fear that it would collapse on top of her.