DR1 Daily News - Wednesday, 17 August 2016

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President Medina sworn in for second term
The Medina cabinet 2016-2020
Medina?s sister made president of Chamber of Deputies
Opposition legislators do not attend swearing in
Transport to be improved
911 system to be extended to Haina, Santiago and Puerto Plata
More health unions sign government deal
Dominican Armada rescues sailors
Ex water agency director facing corruption allegations
Major fire in Cotui
Illegal emigrants arrested
Major drug haul in the southeast
Dominicans in the Olympics
Helen of Troy story at National Theater
Touring city art galleries



President Medina sworn in for second term
President Danilo Medina was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday, 16 August 2016, and spoke with great optimism of his commitment to reducing poverty. While thanking Dominicans for having voted him in with the highest vote of the past seven democratic elections, he announced: ?We are going to deliver the best four-year term in our recent history.?

He declared the next four years the ?Four-Year Period of Water,? expressing optimism that 83% of households would have access to potable water by 2020, including 88% in urban areas and 70% in rural areas.

He announced that the focus of his second term would be on teacher training to improve the quality of education.

Medina said the reforms of the health sector would be consolidated with the National Health System, by integrating the public hospitals and social security hospitals network, in addition to more primary care facilities to serve communities.

He announced the completion of major public works in the next four years:
Bani, San Juan, Azua, Cabarete, north Santiago, and Juan Bosch (Santo Domingo) and San Francisco de Macoris roundabouts to take through traffic out of the cities, as well as the Navarrete-Puerto Plata road expansion. He also announced plans for an overpass at Av. Isabel Aguiar in Santo Domingo West and the Hato Mayor-El Puerto-Bayaguana road.

The President announced the implementation of an Integrated Public Transport System that would start in Greater Santo Domingo. Existing transport associations (unions) would be added to the network as private companies, working under the umbrella of the new National Road Safety Council that will coordinate all the work currently carried out by the entities involved in public transport.

Medina announced a decree would be issued shortly creating a single transport authority, the National Transport Institute, which will be the regulating entity for the transport sector. Feeder buses will be added to back up the services provided by the Santo Domingo Metro.

He spoke of progress in the Digital Republic Program that will include one computer for around 950,000 public school students and teachers, starting in the 2017-2018 school year. He announced his support to the Domain Extinction Bill that authorizes the government to seize goods linked to corruption and illicit acts, which is pending approval in the Chamber of Deputies.

The presidents of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras and the acting president of Haiti, as well as the prime ministers of Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda, Curacao and St. Martin, along with other foreign dignitaries, attended Medina?s swearing-in ceremony.

Read his inaugural speech at:
https://presidencia.gob.do/discurso...nor-presidente-de-la-republica-dominicana-lic


The Medina cabinet 2016-2020
Following his inaugural speech on Tuesday, 16 August 2016, President Danilo Medina went to the Presidential Palace to swear in his cabinet members.

The new cabinet is as follows:
Ministers confirmed in their posts --
Gustavo Montalvo, Minister of the Presidency.
Jose Ramon Peralta, Administrative Minister of the Presidency
Gonzalo Castillo, Minister of Public Works and Communications
Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism
Angel Estevez, Minister of Agriculture
Altagracia Guzman, Minister of Public Health
Ramon Ventura, Minister of Public Administration
Antonio Isa Conde, Minister of Energy and Mines

Changes:
Major General Ruben Dario Paulino will be promoted to the Rank of Lieutenant General and will be appointed as Minister of Defense. He formerly served as Migration director.
Carlos Amarante Baret, Minister of Interior and Police. Former minister of Education.
Temistocles Montas, Minister of Industry and Commerce. Former minister of Economy.
Andres Navarro, Minister of Education. Former Minister of Foreign Relations.
Jean Alain Rodriguez, Attorney General. Former director of the Center for Export and Investments (CEI-RD).
Simon Lizardo, Administrator of the Banco de Reservas. Former minister of Hacienda.
Alejandrina German, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology. Former minister of Women.
Jose Ramon Fadul, Labor Minister. Former Minister of Interior and Police.
Francisco Dominguez Brito, Minister of Environment. Former Attorney General.

New cabinet appointments:
Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Minister of Foreign Relations. He is the president of the PRD; a key opposition party ally during the 2016 election.
Donald Guerrero, Minister of the Treasury (Hacienda)
Isidoro Santana, Minister of the Economy.
Jeannet Camilo, Minister for Women
Pedro Verges, Culture Minister
Robianny Balcacer, Minister for Youth
Danilo Diaz, Sports Minister
Flavio Dario Espinal, Legal Advisor to the Executive Branch.
Ruben Bichara, Executive Vice President of the Corporation of State Electrical Companies (CDEEE)
Enrique Ramirez, Director of Customs
Jose del Castillo, president of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel).
Luis Henry Molina, director of the Center for Investment and Exports of the Dominican Republic
Roberto Rodriguez Marchena, director of Information and Communication of the Presidency (DICOM)
Sigfrido Pared Perez, director of the National Investigations? Department.

http://www.cdn.com.do/noticias/naci...enea-la-mata-toma-juramento-a-nuevo-gabinete/


Medina?s sister made president of Chamber of Deputies
President Danilo Medina?s sister Lucia Yomaira Medina has taken up the post of president of the Chamber of Deputies, becoming the first woman in the PLD to hold the post.

The vice president will be Deputy Lupe Nunez and the secretaries will be Angela Pozo and Juan Julio Campos.

Lucia Medina served as vice president of the Chamber of Deputies for ten years and represents San Juan de la Maguana.

Reynaldo Pared Perez, (PLD-National District) was sworn in as president of the Senate.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...er-del-pld-en-presidir-la-camara-de-diputados


Opposition legislators do not attend swearing in
Opposition legislators did not attend President Danilo Medina?s swearing-in ceremony at the National Congress on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 on the grounds that it was ?the lamentable result of a long and systematic process of violations of the laws, the Constitution and the principles of equality, transparency and impartiality on the part of the electoral authority.?

Deputy Alfredo Pacheco read a document to the press saying that the act of swearing in of the President was ?little more than a pantomime.? He explained the absence of the opposition including the senators and the deputies from the PRM, PRSC, Alianza Pais, Democratic Christian Quisqueyano Party and the Popular Front.
Pacheco is the spokesman for the leading opposition party, the PRM, in the Chamber of Deputies.

http://eldia.com.do/partidos-de-oposicion-no-asiste-a-la-juramentacion-del-presidente-danilo-medina/


Transport to be improved
In his speech after being sworn in for a second term as President on Tuesday 16 August 2016, President Danilo Medina and said that there was an urgent need to improve the country?s transport system as Dominican families were paying between 20% and 25% of their monthly income to get to work or take their children to school.

Medina said that his aim was to reduce transport costs for each family by up to 30% by integrating public transport fares using a single payment system, which would initially be implemented in Greater Santo Domingo, before being rolled out to other cities.

He added that a National Road Safety Plan would be launched to prevent traffic accidents and that they would be setting up a National Council for Road Safety to coordinate all of the organizations involved. There will also be a new Transport Institute, to combine the functions of the former institutions and produce an authentic public transport policy for the country.

The integrated public transport system would begin in Greater Santo Domingo, and then be extended to other major cities. The plan is to integrate the present so-called unions as private companies.

http://eldia.com.do/550758-2/


911 system to be extended to Haina, Santiago and Puerto Plata
During his inaugural speech on Tuesday, 16 August 2016, President Danilo Medina announced that the National System for Emergency and Security Assistance (911) would be extended to several areas in the northern, eastern and southern parts of the country.

The 911 system, which was implemented during his first administration and currently provides emergency response services in Greater Santo Domingo, will soon be available in Haina, San Cristobal, Santiago and Puerto Plata.

http://eldia.com.do/el-sistema-911-sera-extendido-a-otras-regiones-del-pais/


More health unions sign government deal
Eight unions from the Dominican Institute of Social Security (IDSS) have signed an agreement with the government for a salary increase of up to 39%. To date, 21 unions in the public health sector have signed with the authorities, despite opposition from PanaSalud, the collective led by the president of the Dominican Medical Association (CMD), which is heading talks with the government health authorities and mainly represents the public hospital doctors.

The agreement covers nurses, bio-analysts, psychologist, dentists and pharmacists who will receive a salary increase between 35 and 39% for technicians and professionals and 10% for administrators, as well as the provision of pensions and incentives for unemployment and old age.

Labor Minister Maritza Hernandez, who is also president of the IDSS board, Health Minister Altagracia Guzman Marcelino, IDSS director Cesar Mella, National Health Service director Nelson Monegro and SENASA director Chanel Rosa, attended the signing of the agreement.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...y-suman-21-los-que-pactan-por-mejora-salarial


Dominican Armada rescues sailors
On Friday night, 12 August 2016, the Dominican Navy rescued six foreigners who were sailing to Puerto Rico from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The group of five Italians and a Czech were on the boat ?Lyla?, which suffered engine problems at around 11pm in the area of Punta Bergantin, to the north of Puerto Plata.

Navy Spokesman, Naval Captain Arsenio Maldonado Gil said that the sailors used a cell phone to call the 911 National Emergency Service and the operators there contacted the Armada Operations Center, which sent the coastguard to the rescue.

The sailors were then taken to Puerto Plata and given all the necessary assistance.

http://elnacional.com.do/rescatan-5-italianos-y-un-checo-quedaron-a-la-deriva-en-velero/


Ex water agency director facing corruption allegations
The Specialized Prosecution Service for the Persecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca) has accused the former director of the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewers (Inapa), Alberto Alcibiades Holguin Cruz and engineer Sobeida Ogando Perdomo of embezzlement and the perversion of justice to the tune of more than RD$1 billion.

Pepca head Laura Guerrero Pelletier said that Holguin Cruz was interrogated in connection with the case in 2014 so he cannot claim now that he did not know about the investigation.

She said that the request to send them to court ran to 102 pages. Pelletier has also asked the judge to order pre-trial custody as they are accused of involvement in fraud, embezzlement, perversion of justice, criminal association, fraud against the State, abuse of trust and other crimes.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...-de-desfalco-por-mas-de-mil-millones-de-pesos


Major fire in Cotui
A fire broke out at the Super Yoma Commercial Center in Cotui at 6:30am on Monday, 15 August 2016 affecting several businesses, including a Banreservas branch.
Passers-by raised the alarm after seeing the smoke, and called the local fire brigade, which reportedly arrived without any water in the fire truck and had to go to the River Yuna to fill up.

Firefighting teams from San Francisco de Macoris, Fantino, Jima and La Vega were then called in, with the first to arrive being the brigade from San Francisco de Macoris, which tried to control the fire while the Cotui brigade was still at the river filling up the truck.

Plaza Super Yoma, which employs hundreds of people, was almost totally consumed by the fire. An investigation is underway.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...sucursales-bancarias-y-otros-establecimientos


Illegal emigrants arrested
Units from the Dominican Armada, on patrol off Puerto Plata, intercepted a boat with 18 people on board, 13 Indians, two Cubans, two Brazilians and a Dominican who were trying to reach Puerto Rico illegally.

According to a press release from the Armada, the boat had left Luperon to Turks and Caicos Islands with only its captain, British citizen Stefano K. Samba Smith on board.

They are continuing the investigation.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...ros-y-un-dominicano-en-viaje-ilegal-AX4671736


Major drug haul in the southeast
The National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) has confiscated 932 packages of a white powder, thought to be cocaine or heroin. Two men, one of whom is Colombian, were arrested during the operation,

According to the DNCD a boat that came from South America was trying to reach San Pedro de Macoris and they were informed of its location after it was spotted by a Super Tucano plane. Four speedboats were launched that chased the boat until it made land, where another DNCD unit was waiting.

Once discovered, the men on board threw many of the drugs overboard before reaching Cumayasa in La Romana.

DNCD agents as well as a drones unit are looking for three other men on board who escaped.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...32-paquetes-de-drogas-en-san-pedro-de-macoris


Dominicans in the Olympics
Follow the Dominican athletes in the Rio Olympics as they competed on Monday, 15 August and Tuesday, 16 August:
Athletics: Mariely Sanchez ran the 200 meters in 23.39 but did not move on to the semi-finals.
Athletics: Stanly del Carmen ran the 200 meters in 20.55 but did not move on to the semifinals.
Athletics: Yancarlos Martinez (200 meters) ran in 20.97 and did not move on to the semi-finals.

Wednesday, 17 August:
Taekwondo: Luisito Pie (58 kg)

Thursday 18 August:
Track and field: 4 x 100 meters.

Friday 19 August:
Taekwondo: Katherine Rodriguez (67kg)
Judo: Moises Hernandez (80 kg)
Track and field 4 x 400 meters.
Athletics. Mayobanex D?Oleo (Men?s 4 x 100 meters relay)
Athletics: Luis Enrique Charles (Men?s 4 x 400 meters relay)


Helen of Troy story at National Theater
The story of Helen of Troy, ?Juicio a una zorra?, opens at the Sala Ravelo of the National Theater on the weekend starting 18 August 2016, with shows at 8:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and at 6:30pm on Sunday.

Produced by Juancito Rodriguez, with Elvira Taveras in the starring role, the monologue is restricted to the over-13s. Scenery is by Fidel Lopez. Richardson Diaz is the director.

Tickets are for sale at the National Theater and Ticket Express for RD$500.


Touring city art galleries
The Art Galleries Association (AGA) presents the start of its 2016 Galleries Circuit in Santo Domingo on Thursday, 18 August. The art gallery association offers free transport for the event on the third Thursday of each month through December so that art lovers can visit several galleries in a single night.

The event has the backing of the Ministry of Tourism and the National Hotel & Tourism Association (Asonahores). The three-hour tours start at 7:30pm.

For the occasion, the art galleries hold high-quality exhibitions that include well-known artists such as Jose Perdomo, Antonio Guadalupe, Manuel Montilla and Ramon Oviedo. Contemporary artists like Gustavo Pena, Jose Levy, Luz Severino, Miguel Ramirez and Adela Dore will also be featured and the gallery owners will be on hand to give expert explanations.

AGA president Mildred Canahuate has been organizing the event since 2009.

This year 12 art galleries are taking part:
Evaristo Morales: Galeria Bodden, Arawak Arte Contemporaneo and Guillo Perez Arte e Interiores.
Piantini: D?Guillermo and Lyle O Reitzel Gallery.
La Paz: Centro Cultural Mirador.
Gazcue: Galeria Shanell, Galeria Nacional de Bellas Artes and Museo de Arte Moderno.
Colonial City: Colegio de Artistas Plasticos, Mamey and Casa Quien.

For more information and to book a space on the bus, call 809 565-3614

http://www.dr1.com/calendar

Archives for Daily Headline News:
http://dr1.com/premium/news/2016/index.shtml

Archives for Travel & Tourism News:
http://dr1.com/travelnews/archive.shtml