National Assembly President Jorge Herrera and Congressman Didiano Pinilla convened emergency talks this week to address a severe, decades-long water shortage in the Atalaya district. The meeting brought together officials from the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN), the governor of Veraguas Province, local mayors, and frustrated residents. Held at the Padre Juan José Cánovas Educational Center, the session aimed to forge immediate solutions for thousands of families who have endured unreliable or nonexistent water service.
The crisis in Atalaya, part of Veraguas, has intensified recently. Community representatives stated the complete absence of water in recent weeks marks a dangerous escalation of a problem persisting for over twenty years. This public hearing was organized by the legislature and the executive branch’s Goals Secretariat to directly present resident concerns to the authorities responsible for water infrastructure.
Legislative Leaders Push for Urgent Action
Assembly President Jorge Herrera framed the water access issue as a top legislative priority. He emphasized the assembly’s role in facilitating dialogue between communities and service providers to unlock critical projects.
“Water is a priority for the National Assembly,” affirmed President Jorge Herrera. [Translated from Spanish] “That is why we have built the necessary bridges with the IDAAN Authorities, to develop an alternative that allows thousands of families in the Atalaya district to have the vital liquid in their homes.”
Herrera pledged to treat the matter with notable urgency within the asamblea nacional. His call for collaborative work between residents and officials echoes ongoing legislative efforts to improve public resource management. Congressman didiano pinilla also stressed the importance of institutional cooperation, noting the prolonged suffering of the community.
“We have been working together to find a solution to this problem, which has affected the community for a long time,” stated Congressman Didiano Pinilla. [Translated from Spanish]
Engineers Propose Short-Term Infrastructure Fix
During the meeting, IDAAN engineer María Gutiérrez outlined a proposed short-term project designed to stabilize water supply. The technical plan focuses on upgrading the local distribution network to improve pressure and storage capacity. Key components include the installation of specialized booster pump station equipment, the replacement of aging pipes, and the addition of four new water storage tanks.
This engineering solution targets the immediate symptoms of the crisis. Increased pressure from the pumps and expanded storage from the tanks could provide more consistent delivery to households. The project represents a direct response to community complaints about weak flow and frequent dry taps. Residents at the hearing expressed gratitude for the forum but maintained pressure for swift, tangible results after years of neglect.
Their testimonies detailed the daily hardships caused by the water shortage. The situation affects sanitation, health, and overall quality of life. While appreciative of the legislative intervention, the community’s primary demand remains clear. They need a reliable water system, not just promises.
The involvement of high-level figures like Herrera and Pinilla signals political recognition of the crisis. It reflects a pattern of the assembly engaging with contentious public service issues, similar to recent debates on governance and perks reported by jorge herrera and other legislators. The next critical step involves securing funding and ensuring IDAAN executes the proposed engineering work without delay. All parties now await the transition from dialogue to construction, hoping the bridges built in this meeting finally bring water to Atalaya.