What Happened
President José Raúl Mulino addressed two sensitive issues during the inauguration of the Anillo Hidráulico Norte: the situation at the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (Unachi) and the water shortages affecting communities in different parts of the country, including Azuero.
He referred to the reported resignation of Unachi rector Etelvina de Bonagas and also reacted to criticism over the water crisis, urging that the issue not be turned into political point-scoring.
Water Supply Under Pressure
Mulino’s comments came amid growing public concern about water access in multiple communities. In his remarks, he emphasized that the shortage should be treated as a serious public service problem rather than a tool for political attacks.
The president made the statements while taking part in the launch of the Anillo Hidráulico Norte, a project presented as part of efforts to strengthen water infrastructure. The setting placed the water debate at the center of a government event focused on improving supply systems.
Unachi Leadership in the Spotlight
The president also spoke about the University of Chiriquí, where attention has turned to the status of rector Etelvina de Bonagas. By mentioning the matter publicly, Mulino placed the university’s internal situation among the day’s main political and institutional issues.
Unachi is one of the most important public universities in western Panama, and any uncertainty in its leadership draws attention from students, faculty, and the broader public. The president’s remarks underscore the degree to which the university has become part of the national conversation.
Why the Remarks Matter
Water availability remains one of the most practical and politically sensitive issues in Panama, particularly when shortages affect households and entire communities. When a president frames the problem as one that should be kept free of partisan conflict, it signals an attempt to shift the focus toward administration and infrastructure.
The comments also reflect how public institutions, from universities to water systems, often become focal points for broader debates about governance. In that context, Mulino’s message linked two different concerns — education leadership and public utilities — through the broader theme of institutional management.