DR1 Daily News - Wednesday, 19 October 2016

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Medina administration requests US$600 million bond placement
DR joins New Petroleum Producers Group
New World Bank representative for DR
Public transport fares going up
Leonel Fernandez favors closer links with Florida
Exports and imports with Haiti
Urgent need for civil registry in Haiti
Deportations continue apace
Light aircraft crashes off coast of Puerto Plata
Brewster says the DR is key drug transit country
Dominican murdered in Turks and Caicos
Writ issued against San Cristobal prosecutor
Flood alert extended
Luisito Pie gets his apartment



Medina administration requests US$600 million bond placement
The Executive Branch has sent a bill to the ruling PLD party majority Senate seeking authorization for a US$600 million bond placement to complete the funding needed to finish the two 337.38 MW coal-fired power plants the government is constructing in Punta Catalina in the southwestern province of Peravia (Ban?) province.

The government had received authorization for the loan from Brazil’s BNDES export development bank, but recent corruption investigations in Brazil have delayed its disbursement.

http://www.diariolibre.com/economia...unta-catalina-por-deuda-de-us-600mm-XC5224022


DR joins New Petroleum Producers Group
The Ministry of Energy and Mines has announced its formal acceptance into Chatham House of London’s “New Petroleum Producers Group”. Chatham House has already been helping the Ministry to coordinate policy and work in support of exploration and subsequent extraction of oil and natural gas reserves. The entity was formed to help new oil and natural gas producing countries from making the mistakes that have led to accountability failures in other more established producers, and which have prevented some producers from reaping the full economic benefits of their resources.

Earlier in 2016, the Dominican Republic issued its ruling for the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons and a national database (BNDH). Tenders are being organized for selected sites with potential for exploration and extraction.

http://www.mem.gob.do/index.php/not...s-presentara-bloques-con-interes-exploratorio
https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/...13-guidelines-good-governance-2016-marcel.pdf


New World Bank representative for DR
Appointed in August, Alessandro Legrottaglie is the new country manager for the World Bank Group in the Dominican Republic. The World Bank representative has served as Senior Country Officer for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and Barbados based in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Previously, as the World Bank SCO for the six Eastern Caribbean States (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and Barbados, he maintained constant dialogue and relationships, serving as team leader for the OECS Regional Partnership Strategy, responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the OECS portfolio.

http://www.diariolibre.com/economia...o-mundial-para-republica-dominicana-NX5220870


Public transport fares going up
The first fare increases as a consequence of the elimination of the fuel subsidy for public transportation companies have come into effect. Fares on the route from Jose Marti and Barahona streets in Santo Domingo to Los Mameyes and Ensanche Isabelita were increased from RD$25 to RD$30.

According to the drivers, the fares are being increased in response to the elimination of the 3,800 million gallons of diesel that the transporter companies received from the government as well as the increase in cost of vehicle parts, the increase in the vehicle tax and road tolls.

Meanwhile, the National Federation of Social Christian Transport Workers has warned that prices will have to go up by at least RD$15 per journey.

Conatra transport association president Antonio Marte has described the elimination of the subsidy as outrageous, and said that the authorities were not open to talks on the issue.

According to the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Juan Tomas Monegro, people were selling the diesel for profit. He added that there should be no fare increases as many of the public transport vehicles used liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as well as diesel, which now costs much less than it did when the subsidy was introduced.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...asaje-tras-eliminacion-del-subsidio-AD5216112


Leonel Fernandez favors closer links with Florida
Former President Leonel Fern?ndez has made a speech at Hodges University where he was presented with a key to the city of Fort Myers in Florida.

The Monday, 17 October 2016 event was organized by Hodges University’s Hispanic Institute and the Hispanic American Business Alliance as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Fernandez said that he was seeking to strengthen the strategic alliance with Florida, home to 200,000 Dominicans due to geography, language and economic similarities.

He said that both Florida and the DR started out as agriculture-based economies growing crops like sugar and citrus, but have evolved to become more service-oriented, with tourism as key industries. Other main sectors for the Dominican economy include telecommunications and construction.

About five million people visit the Dominican Republic every year, while roughly 105 million people visited Florida in 2015. Florida has one of the largest economies in the United States, and several of the state’s airports have direct flights to and from the DR.

Fernandez sees opportunities in software development, biotechnology and robotics, for example, along with renewable energy, medical, and cultural and creative industries such as art and film.

Next steps include establishing a coordinating commission and promoting more agreements between higher education institutions. Trade missions are also crucial for connecting people, said the former Dominican President.

http://www.news-press.com/story/new...esident-seeks-stronger-florida-ties/92280410/


Exports and imports with Haiti
Industry and Commerce Minister Temistocles Montas has confirmed that Dominican exports to Haiti were worth US$1.01 billion in 2015 and in the first half of this year they are US$410.9 million.

He said that the main products that the DR exports to Haiti are raw cotton, used in textile manufacture in Haiti, cotton shirts, Portland cement, raw materials for sauces, flour, plastic items and metal wire.

According to a press release from the Ministry, the main products imported from Haiti were fishing gear, tobacco and machine parts.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...-exportaciones-hacia-haiti-superan-us-1000-mm


Urgent need for civil registry in Haiti*
The passing of Hurricane Matthew, a category 4 storm across southern Haiti once again exposes the absence of a civil registry and the lack of any serious attempts to identify the population in the neighboring country. The fact that most Haitians in Haiti do not have identification documents has made it difficult for the authorities to confirm the number of deaths during the recent natural disaster.*

Diario Libre’s Wednesday 19 October 2016 editorial highlights: “It is impossible to organize a country without a reliable civil registry. They probably don’t know how many people were affected by the hurricane, or how many people died in the 2010 earthquake. It is impossible to run an efficient aid program that is sustainable in the long term without knowing how many citizens need help, who they are and what they need,” writes the editorialist.

The editorial states that the DR is helping itself by helping Haiti, pointing out that the US, Brazil and Mexico are complaining about Haitian migrants reaching their shores. “To help Haiti to get back on its feet is the best thing for all concerned,” concludes Ines Aizpun in the editorial.

http://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/am/ayudar-ayuda-MB5223349


Deportations continue apace
During the first nine months of 2016 the Migration Department has deported 30,159 Haitians and 154 people of other nationalities who were living illegally in the Dominican Republic.

The other nationals included 68 Cubans and 20 Indians, along with people of 19 other nationalities.

In January there were 3,343 deportations with 3,633 Haitians, five Cubans, three Libyans, and one person each from Ecuador and the United States.

In February 4,239 Haitians were deported, along with 10 Cubans, two Libyans, two Germans, two Indians, one each from Colombia, Finland and France.

In March there were 4,635 Haitians deported along with nine Cubans, nine Indians, two Libyans, two Chinese, one Nigerian and a Russian.

April saw 3,511 Haitians deported with nine Cubans, five Brazilians, two Libyans, and two Indians.

May was a quiet month for deportations with 1,907 Haitians, five Indians, three Colombians, two Libyans, two Italians and one each from the Czech Republic, United States and Venezuela.

In June, 3,309 Haitians were deported, along with six Cubans, two Libyans, US citizens and Russians and one each from Brazil, the Czech Republic, Colombia and Jordan.

July saw 2,914 Haitians deported with five Cubans, two Venezuelans, and one each from Brazil, India and Italy.

In August 2,360 Haitians were deported, five Cubans, five Taiwanese, and one person each from China, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain and Ghana.

September saw 3,651 Haitians deported plus 19 Cubans, two Brazilians, two Venezuelans, and one each from Albania, France, India, Taiwan, and Trinidad and Tobago.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...cion-ha-repatriado-a-30159-haitianos-este-ano


Light aircraft crashes off coast of Puerto Plata
A light aircraft crashed off the coast of Puerto Plata on Monday night, 17 October 2016.

So far the rescuers have recovered part of the plane that was flying from Port-au-Prince in Haiti en route to Gregorio Luperon International Airport in Puerto Plata.

As reported, the plane belonged to the owner of the Monkey Jungle adventure park in Sosua, US citizen physician Charles Ritzen, who was traveling with his wife, Candy Ritzen and a Canadian citizen, Benjamin Brown.

According to the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC), the plane lost radio contact with the Puerto Plata international airport at around 7pm.

All three of those on board are still missing. The search is in process and so far parts of the fuselage have been found along with part of the tail.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...canadiense-que-viajaban-en-avioneta-GA5222679
http://hoy.com.do/recuperan-parte-de-fuselaje-de-la-aeronave-perdida-en-puerto-plata/
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...e-avioneta-desaparecida-cerca-de-puerto-plata
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/159287-Lake-Amphibian-Down-off-Puerto-Plata
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...s-ocupantes-de-avioneta-accidentada-KE5226862


Brewster says the DR is key drug transit country
In an interview with journalist Alicia Ortega broadcast on Tuesday, 18 October 2016, US Ambassador James Brewster said that the Dominican Republic was becoming the biggest transit country for drugs being sent from South America to the United States and Europe, despite the support that the US government has provided to the national organizations in charge of fighting trafficking.

He said that despite the joint effort, the US is seeing more and more drugs passing through the Dominican Republic. He said that during a recent meeting with President Danilo Medina, the head of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and DEA agents, it was revealed that many drug cartels were based in the country and were trafficking drugs to the United States.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...brewster-dice-pais-es-puente-grande-de-drogas


Dominican murdered in Turks and Caicos
Another Dominican man has been shot dead in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), sending shockwaves through the Dominican community there.

Ronny Heredia, 27, was shot on Friday, 14 October 2016, in the area of Times Square on Aviation Drive, in Providenciales.

Police say that an investigation is underway, but early indications suggest that the motive for the shooting was robbery as Heredia was employed by a contracting company and apparently it was usual for the employer to pay workers at the mentioned location.

It is also alleged that the culprits got away with a substantial amount of money.

Edwin Hernandez, assistant consul for Dominican Republic in the TCI, said in a recent interview that he was saddened by the death of yet another Dominican, but was hopeful that justice would prevail.

Hernandez said: "The Dominican community in the TCI has lost another life. With the most recent one, the count is already four Dominicans killed in the TCI in 2016. It is a high number, not only for the Dominican community, but also for the entire Turks and Caicos Islands, especially in a country with a small population.”

http://tcweeklynews.com/young-domin...tly-before-receiving-his-salary-p7435-127.htm


Writ issued against San Cristobal prosecutor
The Public Prosecution service has been allowed to proceed with a writ against San Cristobal prosecutor Diomeri Soto, who is accused of serious irregularities in the line of duty, including alleged bias during investigations into a criminal gang involved in fraud.

Businessman Job Nataneal Arias said that Soto was a friend of the man accused of fraud, Roberto (Tico) Faxa, which was why he did not ask for coercive measures after he was arrested with a group of armed men at the Franto Super Mass business.

Arias said that Soto was a disgrace to the community of San Cristobal and that Tico Faxa is not only under his protection but also a high-ranking politician in the province who made telephone calls asking them not to prosecute as he had contributed to his election campaign.

http://elnacional.com.do/se-querellan-contra-fiscal-sc-en-consejo-mp/


Flood alert extended
The Emergency Operations Center (COE) has maintained its green alert for 14 provinces due to the risk of flooding, overflowing rivers and mudslides.

The provinces under alert are La Vega, Monse?or Nouel (Bonao), Duarte (San Francisco de Macor?s), Barahona, San Cristobal, Puerto Plata, S?nchez Ram?rez (Cotu?), Espaillat (Moca), Monte Plata, Santiago, Azua, Montecristi and Mar?a Trinidad S?nchez (Nagua).

The COE also reports that 24 homes have been affected by the rains and 20 families have been displaced. In addition, small boats along the Atlantic Coast have been advised to stay in port due to the high winds and waves.

The Meteorological Office (Onamet) has said that the rains and thunderstorms are likely to continue due to a system of weather fronts crossing the island.

http://hoy.com.do/coe-aumenta-a-14-las-provincias-en-alerta-verde/

To follow stormy weather in the DR this 2016 Hurricane season, see:
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/157613-2016-Hurricane-Season?p=1734091#post1734091


Luisito Pie gets his apartment
Ministry of Sports Danilo Diaz has delivered a fully furnished apartment to Luisito Pie, the Dominican Republic’s only medalist at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. Pie won a bronze medal competing in taekwondo.
*
The new apartment in the government-built Ciudad Juan Bosch neighborhood is valued at RD$2.6 million.

Pie will live there with his mother Marisol Pie, his stepfather Euclides Reyes and his brother Bernardo.

http://www.diariolibre.com/deportes/gobierno-entrega-apartamento-amueblado-a-luisito-pie-EY5221431


Anthony Santos at Hard Rock Live
Hard Rock Live, the new entertainment hall at the Blue Mall in Santo Domingo, is promoting a 17 November 2016 concert by bachata king Anthony Santos. Santos is acclaimed for his contemporary adaptations of bachata music, which have helped it to become mainstream with international audiences.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Santos

Listen to his music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTjzUVmIzMM

For information on upcoming events:
http://www.dr1.com/calendar


Archived News stories:
http://dr1.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/91-Daily-Headline-News

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http://dr1.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/92-Travel-amp-Tourism-News