Mayor Bosco opposing new garbage body

Panama’s mayor, Bosco Vallarino, who got his knuckles rapped after making a no-bid order for garbage trucks, has condemned the creation of the new urban  authority that will  handle  garbage collection. 

The role was previously in the hands of the municipality, but the government had to step in as garbage piled up across the city.
Vallarino, believes the news body contradicts plans for the decentralization of local governments.
"This will give the central government more power, and the global trend is for local governments to have more independence and manage their own budget," he said.

Last week, following the garbage collection failure under the city’s direction, the Cabinet approved a bill establishing the new authority.

According Vallarino, the Directorate of urban and household collection (DIMAUD) in the Municipality, which in recent years has faced a financial crisis, has shown, despite the lack of resources, the ability to solve the problem of waste collection.

He said the municipality has staff trained to deliver the service, and that the institution has identified ways of turning trash into cash. "It’s just a matter of time for me to fulfill my campaign promise, because the garbage is a business for the city."

The mayor confirmed that, Executive was informed that the project was ready to create the new authority.

According Vallarino, his party colleague, Vice President Juan Carlos Varela his party colleague, a explained that the country’s municipalities that demonstrate the ability to provide sanitation services would continue to do so. Otherwise the new entity would intervene.

"I do not want to fight with the Executive, because now the decision is in the hands of the deputies, "the mayor added.

The proposal, which amended Act 41 August 1999 that allowed the transfer of garbage collection to the municipalities, will be sent to the National Assembly for discussion, where the majority Panamanian Party leads the Alliance for Change, which supports President Ricardo Martinelli.

Martinelli confirmed during a tour of Santiago, that the initiative will be submitted to the Assembly. "It may be that the City has done a lousy job"
The mayor of San Miguelito, Héctor Valdés Carrasquilla, called the decision of the Executive positive.