Guayaquil implements heritage incentives and celebrates registry milestone

The Guayaquil Property Registry celebrated its 200th anniversary with a solemn session at the Centro Cultural Olmedo. Led by acting mayor Tatiana Coronel, the event honored the institution's evolution from handwritten records to a fully digital system. General Manager Roberto Saltos Román noted that 70% of certificates are now issued within 24 hours, with most registrations completed in five to eight days.

In a separate municipal development, Guayaquil has begun applying tax exemptions for heritage property rehabilitation. Under the city's Cultural Heritage Management Ordinance, owners of historic buildings can be exempt from municipal fees for occupying public space during restoration works.

The first beneficiaries include Casa Tola and the former Customs building at the ESPOL campus, which together will save nearly USD 40,000 in fees. Joaquín Moscoso, Cultural Heritage Coordinator, explained that these incentives aim to reduce the costs of maintaining and conserving the city's historical assets.