Garbage authority owed $58 million debt collectors attacked.
Residents of Juan Díaz owe almost $6.7 million for garbage service, the highest delinquency rate in Panama says the city’s garbage authority (AAUD)
AAUD Marketing Director Alvin Abrego said that in total, the agency is owed about $58 million, $52 million from residential customers and the remainder from businesses.
That debt has dropped by only about $1 million since the end of 2013, when the agency was owed $59 million.
Abrego said that some employees have reported being attacked when they enter certain neighborhoods looking for payments.
"The task is daunting and difficult because although some people do not pay, we must collect waste," he said.
Other areas with high outstanding debts are El Chorrillo where residents owe $5.7 million; Tocumen residents owe $5.1 million and Pedregal residents owe $4.9 million.