Summary.
Law 117 establishes the National Festival of the Holy Spirit Flower in Las Minas, Herrera, and creates the board responsible for organizing it. It governs the board’s membership, assets, funding, and oversight.
What it covers.
- The festival’s annual celebration and purposes.
- The board’s organization and membership.
- Public contributions and the use of funds.
- Oversight of state funds and assets.
Who it applies to.
- Board of the National Festival of the Holy Spirit Flower (Patronato del Festival Nacional de la Flor del Espíritu Santo).
- Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura) and Panama Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá).
- Entities and representatives serving on the board.
- Panama Orchidology Association (Asociación de Orquideología de Panamá).
Key points.
- The festival takes place in the district of Las Minas, Herrera Province, during the last week of August and the first week of September each year.Art. 1
- The festival promotes the cultivation, conservation, and exhibition of the Holy Spirit Flower, as well as the region’s roots, customs, and traditions.Art. 2
- The Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación), the Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura), the Panama Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá), orchid growers, and district authorities organize events marking the occasion.Art. 3
- The board is a nonprofit entity with its own assets, legal personality, and administrative autonomy; it organizes, administers, and carries out the festival.Art. 4
- The board includes representatives of public institutions, educators, orchid specialists, civic associations, and producers; its members elect a governing committee.Arts. 6-7
- The Ministry of Culture and the Panama Tourism Authority each allocate an annual budget amount of no less than 25,000 balboas (B/.25,000.00) for the festival.Art. 8
- The board is exempt from national taxes and levies. Up to 10% of state funds covers its administration, 15% goes to the Panama Orchidology Association, and the remainder funds the organization and execution of the festival.Art. 10, Art. 11
- The Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República) oversees the board’s state funds and assets; the board submits an audit report to that office and the Ministry of Culture before the close of each fiscal year.Art. 12