The issue of waste collection in the capital remains unresolved. The evaluation commission has submitted its third report on the tender to concession waste collection for the next seven years, but the controversy continues. The document directly points to the Istmo Green Panamá consortium. It does, however, state that the capital is 'quite controlled' regarding waste. In other areas, there was no major drama. In Zone 2 (Betania, Pueblo Nuevo, San Francisco, Río Abajo, Parque Lefevre, and Don Bosco), Istmo Green competed alone and offered $46.3 million. In Zone 3 (Chilibre, Alcalde Díaz, Las Cumbres, Ernesto Córdoba, and Caimitillo), the Aseo Total consortium presented a proposal for $39.3 million. The total tender amount is $140.3 million, an average of over $6 million per year. In the capital, more than 2,000 tons of garbage are generated daily, all heading to the Cerro Patacón landfill, which has been receiving waste for over 40 years. And for this very reason, it has stalled the entire process from the beginning. The commission also made it clear that Istmo Green did not accredit the technical experience required, a key point for operating collection in that area. Now the ball is in Urban and Domestic Cleaning Authority's (AAUD) court, which must make the final decision. The contract establishes a payment of $57 per ton of garbage collected, and the AAUD will only pay for services actually rendered and duly received. Zone 4 has an operational advantage: the Paso Blanco Transfer Center, which facilitates the movement of waste. This zone includes Tocumen, Pedregal, Mañanitas, Juan Díaz, Las Garzas, San Martín, 24 de Diciembre, and Pacora. It is the only one where there was more than one proponent. According to the report, it failed to fully substantiate compliance with the technical requirements in item 3, the most contested part of the process. Furthermore, its economic offer was higher than that of the other proponent. For Zone 4, which covers the entire east of the city, the Aseo del Este consortium offered $39.3 million, while Istmo Green presented $44.7 million. That money difference weighs heavily. Meanwhile, time is passing. The tender has been open for seven months since it was called. The administrator of the AAUD, Ovil Moreno, expected the companies to already be operating this month, but acknowledges that the process has been extended.
