DR1 Daily News - Monday, 12 December 2016

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Vive la Navidad show at the Mirador del Este Park
Medina presents sustainable farming project in Neyba
2017 Budget amendment for RD$11.8 billion
Alcohol sales restrictions lifted for Xmas holidays
Time is running out to get your marbete
Taxes hurt development, says Pedro Silverio
Friar Ant?n de Montesinos monument to be restored
Campaign begins for Medina to continue in 2020?
Two policemen fired in garbage dump money find case
Illegal entry arranged through JetBlue connection
Crist?bal Marte to stay on at FIVB
Argentinean cinema at Centro Cultural BanReservas
Ilegales at Hard Rock Live
Portland dancers come for The Nutcracker ballet
FCBEscola International Tournament in Cap Cana



Vive la Navidad show at the Mirador del Este Park
President Danilo Medina attended the inauguration of the Vive la Navidad lights spectacular in the Mirador del Este Park of Santo Domingo East municipality on Friday, 9 December 2016.

Santo Domingo East mayor Alfredo Mart?nez decided to take over the lights show after neighborhood groups objected to the noise and traffic congestion crowds brought to the original site, the Iberoamerica Park on Av. Bol?var. New city mayor David Collado agreed with the neighborhood groups that the site was inappropriate and said the funds that had been allocated to the show would be put to better use to permanently light up poorer neighborhoods in the National District.

The municipality of Santo Domingo East moved the lights show to the Mirador del Este Park. Diario Libre reports that an area of 38,000 square meters has been lit up and the amphitheater, originally used for 2003 Pan American Games of has been restored and live shows will be held there every night from 9 December 2016 to 9 January 2017.

During the opening night of the Santo Domingo East Christmas spectacular, former Mayor of Santo Domingo Roberto Salcedo was praised for initiating the idea of the lights show.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2016/12/10/446427/danilo-inaugura-parque-de-luces


Medina presents sustainable farming project in Neyba
President Danilo Medina has made another weekend visit to the southwest, this time to present farmers in the Sierra de Neyba with a sustainable farming project covering an area of 90,000 tareas (1 tarea=629 square meters).

As part of the project, 60,000 tareas will be planted with commercial wood that will also help protect the river basin. A further 30,000 will be planted with high yield coffee with an estimated production of 2.5 quintals per tarea. Another 7,000 tareas will be planted with avocado trees and another 2,300 with mango trees.

The government estimates a business yield of RD$1 billion once the plantations are in full production. The President said farmers would be making more in the first year of the project than they are making today.

He said taxpayer money would be funding the project, but it is the Neyba people’s own responsibility to stop deforestation in the area. Medina added that the project seeks to replace small-scale farming with sustainable farming.

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...sostenible-prometido-en-neyba-e-independencia


2017 Budget amendment for RD$11.8 billion
The Executive Branch has submitted a bill for an amendment to the 2017 National Budget requesting authorization to issue RD$11.8 billion in bonds in the local market. The funds are needed given a below estimates collection of taxes in the first half of 2016 and to finance the coal-fired Punta Catalina power plant under construction in Peravia (Ban?) province.

The funds will cover the RD$7 billion less in taxes received this year. Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero said US$100 million will be used to maintain the pace of construction of the power plant.

Congress passed the 2017 National Budget for RD$711,399.37 million on 29 November 2016.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...to-para-procurar-rd-11-802-millones-FJ5694474


Alcohol sales restrictions lifted for Xmas holidays
The Ministry of Interior and Police has lifted its restrictions on the opening hours of entertainment establishments and the sale of alcoholic beverages as of 10 December 2016.

The Ministry of Interior and Police announced the lifting of the curfew on alcoholic beverage sales in public places starting Saturday 10 December 2016 through Monday, 9 January 2017.

The Ministry of Interior and Police said that brigades from the Alcoholic Beverages Control division (COBA) would be supervising entertainment centers to reduce drunk driving. “It is better to wake up in a police station instead of in a hospital or cemetery,” reads the official press release announcing the new schedules.

The Ministry does remind bars, restaurants and nightclubs that firearms are banned from their premises.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...a-libera-horarios-ventas-de-bebidas-FL5692412


Time is running out to get your “marbete”
The Tax Agency (DGII) is reminding vehicle owners to get the stickers that authorize vehicle circulation in 2017. The process, which began on 3 October 2016 ends on 6 January 2017. After that date a penalty of RD$900 needs to be paid and vehicles will not be allowed to use the roads until the renewal has been made.

Friday, 16 December 2016 is the deadline for online renewals with home delivery of the sticker (marbete).

At a press conference on Thursday, 8 December 2016, the Metropolitan Transport Authority (Amet) reminded vehicle owners that anyone driving without the renewed sticker will have their vehicle impounded.

There were 3,612,964 vehicles in the Dominican Republic as of 28 January 2016, including 1,946,594 motorcycles. Excluding motorcycles, 1,196,812 vehicles need to renew their sticker, according to data from 26 September 2016.

http://www.dgii.gov.do/noticias/Pag...cuyospropietariosnorenuevenelmarbete2017.aspx
http://www.diariolibre.com/economia...odria-salir-hasta-rd-1-900-mas-caro-CL5683253


Taxes hurt development, says Pedro Silverio
In an op-ed in Diario Libre on Friday, 9 December 2016, the former general manager of the Central Bank, PUCMM deputy academic rector Pedro Silverio describes how high taxation is hurting the economy in the Dominican Republic. He was responding to new Minister of Economy Isidoro Santana’s defense of the government collecting advance ITBIS taxes from manufacturers, a new imposition starting in 2017. Silverio disputed that the new minister of economy does not see a direct connection between taxes and competitiveness and development.

Silverio says it is timely that many of the problems affecting the Dominican Republic are government-created, the result of deficient public policies. “The government, in a general sense, cannot bring up its own problems to define a tax policy that is disconnected from its decisions in other areas,” he writes.

Silverio points to the many cases where the tourism industry lagged when tax incentives were removed. He said that parallels could also be drawn with the development of the free zone industries.

“Economic readings, as well as international and national experience, suggest a very close link between taxes and competitiveness. He said that increasing taxes was like jumping without a parachute and trusting that good luck would do its job,” he writes.

Meanwhile, Miguel Collado Di Franco of the CREES think tank agrees that the requirement for companies to pay taxes in advance of making the sales increases operational costs for the companies. He was referring to the controversial 50% advance ITBIS payment imposed on manufacturers in Customs for the import of raw materials or machinery.

http://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/...tos-son-una-gran-parte-del-problema-MI5684790
http://acento.com.do/2016/economia/...ona-la-economia-e-incrementa-costos-empresas/


Friar Ant?n de Montesinos monument to be restored
National District Mayor David Collado has announced that the Fray Ant?n de Montesinos monument on the Malec?n will be converted into a cultural center where events will be held to promote culture and human rights. He announced that a Taino Museum would be opened there.

Collado made the announcement on Friday, 9 December 2016, in the presence of Culture Minister Pedro Verg?s and Mexican Ambassador Carlos Tirado Zabala. The monument was donated by the Mexican government under President Jose Lopez Portillo in 1982. The monument commemorates the Spanish priest who is regarded as the first advocate for human rights in the Americas and is famous for his sermon against the enslavement and harsh treatment of the indigenous peoples during the colonial period.

Collado said the restoration would include improving lighting, security and remodeling the internal structure.

A Committee of Friends of the Fray Ant?n de Montesinos monument is coordinated by Manuel Garc?a Ar?valo who for many years maintained a private Taino collection open at the former Pepsi Cola installations in Santo Domingo.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...rescate-de-monumento-fray-anton-de-montesinos


Campaign begins for Medina to continue in 2020?
Only three months after President Danilo Medina was sworn in for his second term as President, a billboard has been erected two blocks from the Presidential Palace promoting a third term for Medina. The billboard has been placed at the intersection of Rosa Duarte and Pedro Henr?quez Ure?a streets.

In order to run for President in 2016, President Medina orchestrated a change in the 2010 Constitution to allow him to seek re-election. The amended Constitution, nevertheless, bans Medina from seeking a third term. He would therefore have to seek a second constitutional change. The ruling PLD party holds the majority in both houses of Congress.

The billboard is promoting “2020+” for President Danilo Medina and Vice President Margarita Cede?o who is the wife of former President Leonel Fern?ndez.

Fern?ndez initially sought to be the PLD candidate in the 2016 general election. His bid ended when Medina convinced the opposition party, PRD to become his ally for the extra votes needed in Congress to approve the constitutional change.

http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=511197


Two policemen fired in garbage dump money find case
On Thursday, 8 December 2016, Major General Nelson Peguero Paredes confirmed that two police agents accused of taking RD$500,000 from garbage scavenger Darlin Franco in San Crist?bal had been fired. El Nuevo Diario reports that Darlin Franco accused the two agents of taking RD$500,000 from him after he reportedly found RD$1.8 million in a black garbage bag in the Vertedero Ingenio Nuevo. The two agents who were fired are Sixto de la Cruz Ram?rez, commander of the police station in San Crist?bal and Jos? Herrera, director of criminal investigations for San Crist?bal.

Herrera will be replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Julio Ernesto who had replaced him less than a month ago. De la Cruz Ram?rez is being replaced by a colonel named as Ceballos Nivar.

An investigation has been underway since Darlin Franco reported finding the RD$1.8 million in the garbage dump in Yaguate, San Crist?bal. He said that after he found the money, the two policemen arrested him and kept RD$500,000 of the RD$1,800,000 he had handed in. The policemen only reported RD$300,000 at the Police station.

In a new development, Banco Ademi in San Crist?bal is claiming the money in connection with a recent robbery under investigation at the bank.

http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=511094
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...l-tras-escandalo-por-robo-buzo-vertedero.html


Illegal entry arranged through JetBlue connection
For the past 10 months Dominican and US prosecutors have been investigating a migration network that helped minors and adults to enter the US with forged documentation. As reported in Diario Libre, the Santo Domingo East prosecutors confirmed that the minors were using JetBlue.

Francisco Menc?a Estrella is accused of heading the network. Allegedly, his accomplices were Ana Mercedes Luna Rodr?guez, an employee of the Dominican Migration Agency and Joel Aquino Ferm?n, a JetBlue employee. Miguel Corona Pe?a, Angel Di?medes Ma??n, Senaldo Est?vez Tavera, Henry Geomez, Alvarez and Jos? Alm?nzar P?rez are also accused in connection with the case.

They are accused of forging visas, documents, stamps and evading migratory controls so that children and adults could enter the United States illegally. According to the authorities, travelers were charged US$7,000-US$8,000 for illegal entry.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...a-estados-unidos-con-visados-falsos-KL5692963


Crist?bal Marte to stay on at FIVB
Dominican Crist?bal Marte Hoffiz has been re-elected as first vice president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The president of the North, Central American and Caribbean Confederation has held the position since 2008. The FIVB board announced the decision after a meeting at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Aleksandar Boricic of Serbia was elected second vice president and Roberto Escobar of Paraguay will be the treasurer.

“I am pleased with the support received from my colleagues and the president of the FIVB, Dr. Ary Gra?a”, said Marte Hoffiz speaking from Lausanne. “The election means a lot to me and strengthens my commitment to continue working for the best in our sport and the objective to make volleyball the number one family entertainment in the world.” He said he is especially proud of the development of the Norceca programs, which was praised during the meetings.

http://www.fivb.com/en/about/news/board-confirms-new-executive-committee?id=65729
http://www.fivb.com/en/about/news/fivb-board-of-administration-ushers-in-a?id=65700


Argentinean cinema at Centro Cultural BanReservas
“The Man Next Door” (El hombre de al lado), a 2009 Argentinean film by directors Mariano Cohn and Gast?n Duprat is being screened free-of-charge at the Centro Cultural BanReservas in the Colonial City at 7pm on Tuesday, 13 December 2016. The black humor comedy-drama-thriller unfolds after a minor incident over two neighbors’ common wall sparks a conflict that affects the intimacy of the view over the chimney; the protagonist sparks a conflict and with paranoiac obsession destroys everyday life.

Read more about the film and the Centro Cultural BanReservas at:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1529252/reviews?ref_=tt_ql_3
http://www.banreservas.com/Pages/Centro-Cultural-Banreservas.aspx


Ilegales at Hard Rock Live
Sugar Events presents Ilegales live at Hard Rock Live at the Blue Mall in Santo Domingo. The Latin music group will be singing its hits including "La Morena", "Fiesta caliente", "A que te pongo," and more. Tickets for the 15 December 2016 concert are for sale at Uepa Tickets, CCN Jumbo and Supermercados Nacional. Tickets are RD$1,2500 standing general admission, front stage RD$1,750, tables RD$2,850.


Portland dancers come for The Nutcracker ballet
Choreographer and producer Carlos Veit?a is reinventing Tchaikovsky’s fairytale-ballet “The Nutcracker Suite” with new costumes and sets and Clara as a teenager instead of a child. This year dancers from the Ballet Concierto Dominicano, the Ballet Nacional Dominicana, Doris Infante Academy and Portland Ballet will be performing.

Costumes are by Adolfina Llubres, Patricia Huerta and Annery Parra. Scenery is by Angela Bernal. Lights are by Bievenvenido Miranda.

The leading local dancers are Lisbell Piedra, Yeri Peguero, Maykel Acosta, Lya Gomez, Marcos Rodr?guez and Silvia Crespo.

In The Nutcracker, this year, guest dancers 18-year old Lauren Kness and 17-year old Henry Winslow from the Portland Ballet will perform “The Arabian Dance.” The piece, a divertissement in the traditional holiday ballet, was specially choreographed by John Clifford, an artistic advisor at The Portland Ballet.

The members of The Portland Ballet are traveling to Santo Domingo as part of a cross-cultural exchange. In addition to Kness and Winslow appearing as special guests in the local version of The Nutcracker, the Portland Ballet founder and artistic director Nancy Davis will lead classes as a guest teacher.

The Portland Ballet, led by artistic directors Nancy Davis and Anne Mueller, nurtures young dancers from age three to 22. TPB students are trained with professional intent by a faculty that includes some of the nation’s finest dancers and choreographers, with experience at companies such as the National Ballet, the original Los Angeles Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, Trey McIntyre Project and BodyVox.

The performances are scheduled for the Carlos Piantini hall of the National Theater in Santo Domingo on Friday, 16 December 2016 at 8:30pm and Saturday, 17 and Sunday, 18 December at 6:30pm. Tickets are RD$600-RD$1,500.


FCBEscola International Tournament in Cap Cana
Barcelona Football Club’s Soccer School (FCBEscola) Dominican Republic chapter will be hosting the International FBEscola Las Americas 2016 Tournament in Cap Cana in the Punta Cana area from 16-18 December 2016. More than 30 teams from FCBEscolas all around the world will be playing in the tournament, now in its seventh year. Around 350 players in several age categories will represent teams from Latin America, Brazil, the United States, Ecuador and Spain.

In the Dominican Republic, the Spanish soccer school began operations in Santo Domingo in 2013. The DR chapter of FCBEscola is run by Caribbean Football Club, FCBEscola’s official partner in the country. There is also an FCBEscola branch in Casa de Campo, La Romana.*FCBEscola schools are for children between the ages of 6 and 14.

The Santo Domingo branch is based at Av. 27 de Febrero corner Av. Luper?n 344 in the Zona Industrial de Herrera.

See websites:
http://fcbescola.fcbarcelona.com/santodomingo/
http://www.casadecampo.com.do/es/event/torneo-internacional-fcbescola-sede-las-americas/2016-12-16/

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


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