The Urban and Household Sanitation Authority (AAUD) has confirmed its new trash collection schedule for Panama’s San Miguelito District will become permanent. Officials announced the decision after a two week evaluation period, citing improved coverage across all district neighborhoods despite ongoing resident compliance issues.
Collection times will remain between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily without a fixed hourly schedule for each zone. The frequency varies by area, with some neighborhoods receiving daily pickups due to higher waste generation. Enrique Martinez, the AAUD spokesperson for the San Miguelito District, said the adjusted system has now reached every corner of the municipality.
“We have impacted every point in the San Miguelito District with waste collection,” Martinez stated. [Translated from Spanish]
He urged residents to be attentive throughout the entire daytime window for collection vehicles. The permanent schedule follows what authorities call a successful pilot phase that started approximately fifteen days ago.
Persistent Problems in Torrijos Carter Neighborhood
Despite the broader district progress, officials identified ongoing problems in specific areas like the torrijos carter neighborhood. A recent site visit revealed residents continue dumping garbage outside designated collection points. This persists even after the installation of new collection tanks and site improvements conducted by multiple agencies.
Martinez explained the situation in Torrijos Carter involves a multi-institutional effort. The Ministry of Public Works (Panama), the Belisario Frías Community Board, and the AAUD are all collaborating to improve the local environment and facilitate proper waste disposal.
“The collection bin arrived in the early morning hours, which may have generated confusion among residents,” Martinez noted regarding the Torrijos Carter issues. [Translated from Spanish]
He emphasized the interagency work aims to create the conditions for correct waste disposal, placing responsibility back on the community to use the provided infrastructure properly.
Fines Loom for Non-Compliant Residents
The AAUD spokesperson issued a clear warning to residents who ignore disposal rules. Martinez stated the authority would not rule out applying fines as a corrective measure if poor practices continue. He framed penalties as a last resort tool for enforcement.
“Fines are an imposed way to ensure people comply with the correct disposal of waste. If that is not achieved, sanctions will have to be applied,” Martinez asserted. [Translated from Spanish]
This stance marks a stricter approach to Municipal Solid Waste Management challenges in the district. The authority hopes the threat of financial penalties will compel cooperation where repeated calls for civic duty have failed.
Officials continue urging citizens to stay informed about specific collection routes and frequencies through the AAUD’s social media channels. The success of the permanent schedule, they argue, depends on a partnership between collection crews and a public committed to keeping neighborhoods clean and orderly.