Residents of the Nuevo Tocumen neighborhood in Las Tablas blocked a major ring road on Monday, February 23, demanding action after more than two weeks without a reliable water supply. The protest highlights a deepening crisis in the Azuero Peninsula, where communities are growing increasingly desperate for a basic service.
For over an hour, demonstrators brought traffic to a halt on one of the city’s principal thoroughfares. They were waiting for officials from the national water authority to arrive and address their grievances. National Police officers were present at the scene to monitor the situation. After some time, the protesters agreed to temporarily open the road and give authorities a window to respond. They issued a clear warning, though. The roadblocks will resume if concrete solutions are not provided soon.
Residents Describe a Breaking Point
Community members explained that the complete outage has lasted over fifteen days. Service was already irregular before this crisis, they said, with water often only flowing in the middle of the night. Now, even that limited supply has vanished. The situation has forced families to purchase water for all daily needs, an unexpected financial burden for many. Installed water tanks are reportedly located far from numerous homes, creating a significant hardship for elderly residents and those with physical limitations.
One resident captured the community’s frustration during the protest.
“We are tired of promises. For more than fifteen days we have been without a drop of water in our taps, and the authorities do not give us answers,” the protester said. [Translated from Spanish]
The protest in Las Tablas is not an isolated incident. It reflects broader systemic challenges with agua potable distribution in the region. The Los Santos Province has faced periodic water shortages for years, often attributed to aging infrastructure, drought conditions, and growing demand.
Water Authority Faces Mounting Pressure
All eyes are now on the Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN). The agency is responsible for resolving the infrastructure or supply issue causing the outage in nuevo tocumen. Prolonged water shortages pose serious public health risks and disrupt every aspect of daily life, from sanitation to food preparation.
Local leaders have called for immediate emergency measures, including the strategic placement of additional water tanks and regular distribution via water trucks. A long-term infrastructure upgrade for the area’s water system is also being demanded. The community’s self-imposed deadline for action adds urgency to the agency’s response. Further protests could escalate, potentially affecting commerce and transportation in the provincial capital.
This crisis emerges amid other significant national infrastructure news, including a major port management transition involving companies like the mediterranean shipping company. The contrast between large-scale logistics projects and the struggle for fundamental residential services is stark. Residents in Las Tablas are simply asking for the consistent delivery of a resource essential to life.
The coming days will test the government’s capacity to manage a growing utilities crisis. For the families in Nuevo Tocumen, the solution cannot come soon enough.