While dedicating improvements to the road from El Volcan to Cerro Punta a few weeks ago, President Moscoso announced her plans for a road from Cerro Punta to Boquete. The plan raised immediate questions in the minds of many area residents and environmentalist throughout Panama. The alarm was sounded recently when surveying crews were seen taking measurements for the road in the spots shown in these photos, which are courtesy of the Civil Society Initiative for the Environment (ICSA).

What is contemplated is the destruction of part of Volcan Baru National Park, home to a magnificent and unique cloud forest that is one of Panama's great tourism and recreational treasures.

Many area residents would like a road that gets people from the El Volcan - Cerro Punta area to the Dolega - Boquete area without having to take the long way around through David. However, were the road to be routed just a little way downhill from the route that the president is proposing, the park would be spared and it would be mostly deforested cow pastures and scrublands that would be paved over.