Background on the Museo Internacional del Barroco (MIB)
The Museo Internacional del Barroco (MIB) in Puebla, Mexico, is a significant cultural project designed by renowned architect Toyo Ito. The construction, museography equipment, operation, and maintenance of the MIB required an investment of 1,400 million pesos. The project was initiated between 2014 and 2015 during the administration of former governor Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas.
Debt and Negotiation
The construction was carried out through the Proyectos de Prestación de Servicios (PPS) scheme. The State Government of Puebla had been obligated to pay 10,000 million pesos under this agreement. However, thanks to negotiations with Peninsular Compañía Constructora, the company responsible for the project, the state government will only pay 2,000 million pesos to settle the debt.
Impact on State Budget
José Luis García Parra, Coordinator of the State Government’s Cabinet, explained that this agreement will allow the state to redirect resources previously allocated for debt repayment towards crucial projects in health, education, security, and infrastructure throughout the current six-year term. These funds would have otherwise been used to continue paying for the MIB project initiated during Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas’ administration.
Key Players and Ownership
Peninsular Compañía Constructora, owned by the Hank Rohn family, collaborated with Operadora y Administración Técnica, Promotora de Cultura Yaxche, and Concretos y Obra Civil del Pacífico to execute the MIB project.
Payment History and Future Plans
Since the MIB’s inauguration in 2016, the state government has already paid 3,974 million pesos under the PPS agreement. Despite these payments, an additional 10,000 million pesos remained owed until May 2025. Governor Alejandro Armenta Mier prioritized settling this debt to free up resources for other pressing projects, such as the first line of Cablebús.
Official Announcement
García Parra announced that the official termination of the PPS contract will be declared on June 23, which will benefit the state’s finances. The government will save 8,000 million pesos by settling the museum debt, bringing an end to eight years of payments for this project.
Other PPS Projects
Another project executed under the PPS scheme is the Centro Integral de Servicios (CIS). The contract’s expiration date is in December 2037, with a remaining payment obligation of approximately 2,540 million pesos.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Museo Internacional del Barroco (MIB)? The MIB is a cultural institution in Puebla, Mexico, designed by architect Toyo Ito. Its construction required an investment of 1,400 million pesos.
- Who is responsible for the MIB project? Peninsular Compañía Constructora, owned by the Hank Rohn family, collaborated with other companies to execute this project.
- Why was it necessary to settle the MIB debt? Settling the debt allows the state government to redirect resources towards other crucial projects in health, education, security, and infrastructure.
- What other projects were executed under the PPS scheme? Besides the MIB, the Centro Integral de Servicios (CIS) was also constructed under the PPS scheme.
