PANAMA, NOV. 12, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Catholic Church in Panama is building a TV channel that will be the largest in Central America, an official says.
Father Manuel Blanquer y Planells, the channel´s director, said the cost of the project is $6.3 million.
He made the announcement at an official ceremony in the new premises of FETV-Channel 5. New infrastructure for the channel, at a cost of $3.3 million, will be completed by the end of the month, the director said.
An additional $3 million will be invested in production and transmission equipment which will allow for live broadcasts from three FETV studios.
Father Blanquer, who has directed the Catholic channel since it opened a decade ago, said he hopes to have the channel´s signal working in the new premises by February. The channel aims to continue its educational program and to promote civic and moral values through programs for youths and adults.
Vicente Pascual, president of the building committee, said that the project «is an act of faith in the country´s future,» and requested the necessary support to complete it. The project started three years ago with the collaboration and funding of banks, he said.
Archbishop José Dimas Cedeño of Panama added that FETV´s communicative and social work «is a symbol of the society it hopes to build.»
