David, the largest city in Panama’s Chiriqui province is facing major problems with its landfill site. What used to be an exemplary landfill site has now been turned in to an unusable, open air dump site.

The director of sanitation in David says a lack of maintenance means the site is no longer usable. The city of David signed a 10-year contract with Chiriqui Environmental Services back in 2004 to maintain the site, and that company has been found responsible for the loss and disrepair of the dump.

Under the contract, Chiriqui Environmenat Services was to maintain it as a landfill, burrying the garbage under several layers of earth. However, for the past several months, the garbage has been allowed to rot above ground.

The Ministry of Health says they plan to fine Chiriqui Environmental Services for the loss of the landfill and for putting the health of David’s residents in danger.

The manager of Chiriqui Environmental Services admits the landfill has been turned in to an open air dump, but says a $2-million dollar debt has prevented the company from properly maintaining the site.

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Filed under: Business, Country Guide, News on January 26th, 2009