PANAMA’S  Government  has distanced itself from the ill-chosen remarks of the director of the country’s Water and Sewage Authority (IDAAN), which raised a storm of criticism on social networks and among lawmakers he addressed in the National Assembly,

The Communications Secretariat issued a statement that the words of  Juan Felipe De La Iglesia  “Do not represent the position, style or thoughts of the Government of the Republic of Panama."

"We understand the concern of the director of Idaan for the better use of drinking water in the country and we regret that the way of expressing it has not been the most correct ", says statement.

The controversial words of the director came  during his appearance before the National Assembly

In one of his responses to a question  De La Iglesia said: "We have an epidemic of pools in the slums "where some residents squander water every day with the uncontrolled filling of plastic pools.”

De La Iglesia proposed to the deputies that they legislate to regulate the use of plastic pools that are in the "marginal neighborhoods" of all the districts of the country.

The words of the director were broadcast live on the television channel of the Assembly and  even jarred some of his audience

The independent deputy Ana Matilde Gómez fired back: "It's a matter of education, not of social status."

The deputy said that we must educate people about consumption and "not legislate for the poor neighborhoods".

De La Iglesia later issued an apology for his "unfortunate words."