Western Panama: Between progress and oblivion

On Sunday, April 2,residents of different residential areas in Panama Oeste, they went out on Arraiján/La Chorrera highway and they closed all six panels, as a last measure so that the competent authorities could solve the most common problem that some have been facing since they moved to “new” settlements.

Water has become a major problem for residents over the years sectors in Arraiján and La Chorrera. However, in corregimientos like Nuevo Chorrillo or Vista Alegre that work is being carried out Line 3 of the Panama Metrothe situation worsened and mediocre measures were implemented to supply the affected with fluids.

The latest measure published by various media was under the name “sectorization of water” because, according to the authorities, there is not enough water, and in order to provide a solution to the most vulnerable, it is necessary share water with others. JOKE!

Many recognize this as a never-ending problem, and no one blames cats, since there are so many of them problems affecting the province, among the main ones, light and constant shortages, lack of water, low pressure or turbulence that comes with it and the terrible condition of the streets that connect up to three or four residential areas. Residents claim that the last resort was to close roads to get an answer.

The problem has several culprits, builders who sell dreams to tenants and disappear after selling the property, do not respect environmental impact studies, pollute riverbeds, all have the same access road, which causes congested traffic at different times of the day. On the other hand, those who issue permits construction of these projects, which, although they are in great demand because a a province that is growing day by day, Chorrerano He does not have a decent quality of life that would allow him to work in his sector, or he hardly has green spaces within his community, where he can spend his free time or recreation.

Many people from different parts of the country are joining the fight Residents of Western Panamasince these demonstrations took place first and foremost internally in residential buildings, gathering so as not to affect third parties, but they say that desperate times call for desperate measures.

During the night of On Sunday, after reaching an agreement and reopening the highway, the Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) has informed through its social networks that the sectorization program for districts of group number 2 will be suspended, unlike the 21 districts of group 1, which will be evaluated at a meeting held on Monday morning.

There were none at the moment issued new IDAAN press releases, which perpetuates the insecurity of thousands of Panamanians affected by this poor service, the points discussed at said meeting and the future of said situation are unknown. According to comments from protest participants on social media, if this problem persists throughout this week, they will close the roads again, which would also affect those who plan to use the transit route due to Easter week. The author has a diploma in audiovisual production.