public services

Retirees to get discounts on trash collection

As of June 1 retirees living in the capital will benefit from a 20 percent discount in the cost of trash collection services.

The measure, proposed by mayor and presidential hopeful Juan Carlos Navarro, was approved yesterday by the Consejo Municipal. Applause erupted from a group of retirees attending the meeting after the vote was taken.

"This has been a struggle for months," said Ángel Tello, president of the Confederación Nacional de Jubilados.

Navarro explained that the measure will apply to retirees who have a residence or an Aseo account in their name. Retirees who rent must prove that the account is in their name.

Panama has about 175,000 retirees and pensioners, 50 percent of whom live in the districts of Panama and San Miguelito, said Tello. Eligible retirees must go to the business office at Plaza Concordia, Vía España.

According to the Municipio de Panamá, trash collection rates differ from one corregimiento to another. The highest rate charged for the service is $11.50, and the lowest is $2.50.