Villa Marina residents repair their own streets due to government neglect

Residents of Villa Marina, a community in Atalaya, Veraguas, have grown tired of waiting for official action and have begun repairing the severely deteriorated streets of their neighborhood with their own hands. The community, established nearly 20 years ago, has suffered from poor road conditions both at its entrance and on internal streets, making transit difficult.

Through community fundraising and contributions, residents have pooled resources to purchase necessary materials. They have also received support from the development company. Both adults and children have participated in the effort to fill potholes and temporarily improve access to their homes. The initiative has also involved clearing accumulated stones and soil from storm drains to prevent blockages and ensure the effectiveness of their repairs.

Marta González, a member of the local Villa Marina board, highlighted the unity of the residents, who contributed financially and with labor. She noted that residents from different stages of Villa Marina and adjacent communities like Costa Marina participated. González expressed frustration with authorities, stating they only approach the community during election periods and fail to address persistent problems afterward.

Another resident, Mr. Farró from Villa Marina 3, pointed out that the poor road conditions impede vehicle traffic, including public and collective transport. He urged more neighbors to join future repair efforts and called for authorities and the developer to collaborate on a permanent solution. Farró emphasized that the current workforce is small compared to the community's population, underscoring the need for broader support.