AAUD Begins Replacing Garbage Bins in San Miguelito After Revisalud’s Departure

The Urban and Domestic Cleaning Authority (AAUD) began replacing the garbage collection boxes or bins pictured below, used by the company Recicladora Vida y Salud, SA (Revisalud) in the Mano de Piedra sector, in the district of San Miguelito, as part of the process by which the State directly assumes the cleaning service in this area of ​​the country.  The director of the AAUD, Ovil Moreno, explained that Revisalud maintained 30 collection boxes in this community, which are being replaced by 50 new ones, including in areas where there were previously no waste disposal containers. He detailed that the installed boxes are rented and are part of a defined operational plan. 

“We already have the plan fully structured and we will announce it in the coming days. On Monday, we will be distributing the collection routes and frequencies to the media,” Moreno stated, while reiterating that the AAUD will assume the service in San Miguelito for as long as necessary.  The official categorically ruled out the possibility of a contractual addendum with Revisalud, whose contract expired after more than two decades of operation in the district, amid questions about deficiencies in service coverage, health sanctions and multimillion-dollar charges.  Moreno also assured that waste collection in the capital city will not be affected by the attention given to San Miguelito and announced that special operations for the collection of bulky waste and household items will be launched in this district. 

Structuring a Budget

For his part, the Secretary of Government Goals, José Ramón Icaza , reported that inter-institutional work is underway to address the garbage crisis in San Miguelito. “We are going to increase the number of collection bins to progressively organize waste disposal,” he stated.  Icaza explained that the cost of collection during the first 17 days of January exceeded $700,000, so they are working on structuring a budget that guarantees the necessary resources so that the AAUD can continue providing the service without setbacks.  Starting January 19, the AAUD will formally take over garbage collection in San Miguelito, following a decision by the Cabinet Council, although no end date for this state intervention has been defined yet. 

The measure, however, has not been without controversy. The transition of the service has generated a war of words between the mayor of San Miguelito, Irma Hernández, and members of the Executive branch, including the Comptroller General, Anel Flores, and the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino.  Hernández filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Justice against the resolution that empowers the AAUD to take over garbage collection in the district, alleging possible irregularities in the procedure.  While the political and legal debate continues, authorities say the immediate goal is to ensure the continuity of service and avoid a new health crisis in one of the most populated districts in the country. 

Mayor Irma Hernández Denounces Government Attempt to Weaken her Leadership

The mayor of San Miguelito, Irma Hernández, pictured above, denounced that the AAUD’s intervention seeks to dismantle her political leadership and affect her team, while President Mulino defended the measure as an urgent solution to the garbage crisis. She denounced in a recent interview that there are interests of the Central Government to dismantle her political leadership and take control of the municipal administration.  Hernández questioned the intervention of the Urban and Domestic Waste Authority (AAUD) in the district, noting that it was not coordinated with either the Mayor’s Office or the Municipal Council.

She asserted that this measure could be motivated by political and economic interests.  “There is a clear interest in dismantling my leadership and taking control of my administration to prevent me from continuing to work as planned.  The Executive Branch has had access to my team’s information throughout the year,” Hernández stated.  The mayor also denounced that behind these actions lies an attempt to weaken sectors linked to her political organization, as well as opposition voices within the Vamos coalition.  Furthermore, she suggested that the intervention could be aimed at affecting other leaders within his political environment: “Do they want to attack Irma to attack Juan Diego Vásquez?” she commented, hinting at the possibility that the measure is part of a broader strategy to destabilize the coalition. 

During the interview on Radio Panamá, Hernández criticized the lack of formal communication regarding the AAUD intervention, which, according to her, was announced suddenly through a video without prior notice.   “I find it disrespectful, not only to me personally, but to the entire district. Neither the Director of Sanitation, nor Minister Huelga Lindo, nor the Comptroller’s Office has contacted the Mayor’s Office to explain how the operation will be carried out,” she emphasized.  The mayor also addressed the controversy surrounding the company Revisalud, which had held the concession for the garbage collection service for 25 years.

Hernández pointed out that the approval of three new companies for the district, endorsed by the National Economic Council in December 2025, already had legal backing and had generated investments in infrastructure such as trucks, uniforms, and operational yards. However, she warned about the potential “legal limbo” that could be created by the intervention of the AAUD, which would affect both the companies and the legal security of the district.  Regarding political interests, Hernández reiterated that the measure seeks to undermine her career and harm her team, including Juan Diego Vásquez. “There is an interest in dismantling my administration and attacking key people, like Juan Diego, to weaken our project in San Miguelito,” she said. 

Finally, the mayor asked the Central Government to maintain a respectful dialogue with the local authority and to clearly define how the distribution of work, the assignment of companies, and the collection of the sanitation fee will be carried out.  “It is essential that this situation be resolved comprehensively and transparently. This is not just a logistical issue, but one of respect for the community and for the political leadership elected by the citizens,” Hernández concluded.  Meanwhile, President José Raúl Mulino, during a press conference, emphasized that the decision was not due to political or institutional disputes. “This isn’t a clash of egos. This is about solving a problem for the residents of San Miguelito, who have every right to live without a garbage mess and who, moreover, pay for that service,” he stressed.