The Panama Canal held an informational forum with representatives from different sectors of Coclé Province to present updates on the Río Indio Lake project and other strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening water security and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the interoceanic waterway. The event formed part of activities commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Panama Canal Expansion.
The discussion was led by Ilya Espino de Marotta, Deputy Administrator, Chief Sustainability Officer, and designated Panama Canal Administrator for the 2026–2033 term. She explained the project’s technical, social, and environmental components, emphasizing that it is intended to help secure water supplies for more than half of Panama’s population while supporting reliable Canal operations for decades to come.
During the forum, Espino de Marotta highlighted the project’s strategic importance as Panama prepares for increasing climate variability and the possible effects of El Niño. She also provided details on the dialogue process conducted with communities that would require resettlement because of the lake’s development. These discussions have produced a community-supported compensation framework that will serve as the basis for individual agreements with affected households.
The Panama Canal also presented several initiatives intended to promote the region’s socioeconomic development. These include forest restoration programs, financial incentives for forest protection, and a land-titling initiative that enables residents to formalize ownership of their properties with technical assistance from the Canal.
Additional work currently underway includes the preparation of the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment, the construction of approximately 27 kilometers of roads, improvements to agricultural access routes, and other infrastructure projects designed to strengthen connectivity and improve living conditions in surrounding communities.
The event was organized by the Veraneras Garden Club of Penonomé and held at the Penonomé campus of the Technological University of Panama. Participants included civic organizations, university students, educators, journalists, community representatives, and members of civil society. Through this outreach effort, the Panama Canal reaffirmed its commitment to transparent communication, community engagement, sustainable development, and responsible water management.
