Following the controversy over the use of the Hogar María Auxiliadora in Chitré as a temporary shelter for ten young adults with disabilities from the Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) in Tocumen, the facility will resume its regular functions as a shelter for girls and adolescents during the school year. The Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) announced that starting Wednesday, March 11, the center will once again receive students who will reside there for the 2026 school year. The use of the shelter to temporarily house these young people was strongly criticized by community sectors, a situation that even led to protest actions in the city of Chitré. Faced with public pressure, authorities arranged a new space for this population, and the young people were subsequently transferred to a center located in the province of Coclé, where they will continue to receive care. Before resuming its functions as a school shelter, the staff carried out cleaning and reorganization of the furniture, as well as worked on reconnecting the computer lab equipment, with the aim of ensuring suitable conditions for the students who will live there during the school year. Many of these adjustments were also necessary to maintain safety and operational conditions while the shelter served as a temporary reception space for young adults with health problems and disabilities.
