Every village has an acalde or judge. People can always seek help of the acalde to settle disputes or to give advice on village affairs. People go to the acalde in times of grief and in times of joy. 

In order for the Belize government to efficiently serve the communities , each village has a village council charged with the responsibility of directing the growth of the community. Every village now has a primary school, a community center and an all weather road. A few villages have community phones. A water supply system is only found in San Pedro Columbia and San Antonio. Health centres are only found in Santa Theresa, San Antonio, San Perdro Columbia and Crique Sarco. 

In the 1970's only the Catholic church was predominant in every village. Now every village has more than one religious denomination. 

The Maya are gradually getting into eco-tourism projects which brings many types of services for communities and tourists. This is a new venture for the Mayas. 

Two major services which are in need are efficient health services and secondary education. The only hospital in the region is remote for the people. People have to travel for several hours to Punta Gorda Town to see a doctor. Students have to attend high school away from their village. The only high school is situated in Punta Gorda Town. 

In addition to this is the need for electricity in places. Rural electrification has taken place in the year 1993 and these services have been extended to Barranco, Santa Anna, Midway, San Felipe, *Mafri(?)*, San Pedro Columbia, and Big Falls. Furthermore, expansion of rural electrification has been requested from the Government of Belize and the *BEL*. No further development has been taken to date.