In urban areas children work in about every sector as well as begging and performing different tasks on the street. Although Panama has allocated a relatively high share of its budget to social sector spending, many social programs have been insufficient and historically there has been a strong bias in favor of urban and higher income groups. Tertiary Education receives a large percent of the education budget but the educational system is not responsive to the demand for skilled labor, technicians, professionals, and the overall quality of education is poor. Primary schools lack educational materials and the majority of students are ill prepared because of the low coverage of pre schools and the fact that a large portion of students suffer from malnutrition. Periodic water shortages, the lack of waste water treatment, and the lack of sewage systems has resulted in an increase in the level of morbidity from water-born diseases.
Diarrhea is the leading cause of death in the countryside.
About 6,000 demonstrators attempted to tear down gates leading into the Congress building. Construction Union leader, Saul Mendez said those demonstrating fear rates will increase if the water utility in privatized. The government has already privatized half of the state owned telecommunication and electricity companies and argues it needs to privatize water service to attract investment and improve service. Press accounts stated that Panamanian leaders, other than Noriega, were involved in drug trade. Attorney General of Panama, Rogelio Cruz, was the director of the First Inter-America Bank, which was owned by Cartel leaders Gilberto Rodriquez Orejuela and Jorge Ochoa.