DR1 Daily News - Tuesday, 24 January 2017

Dolores1

DR1
May 3, 2000
8,215
37
48
www.
CELAC Summit opens in Punta Cana
New public school in Sabana Perdida
Meeting set for minimum wage discussion
Leonel Fernández says it is time to revise DR-CAFTA
Neney Cabrera seeks to head the Dominican Municipal League
Strike in San Cristobal public hospital
Addendums to Odebrecht works sometimes doubled the original costs
Cesar Sánchez and Andrés Bautista questioned by Attorney General
Jailbreak in La Romana
Mourning for Kansas Royals pitcher Ventura in Las Terrenas
More young men die in a car accident
Paul Clifford wins 15th Carib Wind Regatta in Cabarete
Carrefour 10K race
Play ball: Licey vs. Aguilas at the Cibao Stadium
Juan Pablo Duarte exhibition at Agora Mall
The Great Gatsby at the National Theater
Argentinean rock at Escenario 360
Tiempo de Mangos Verdes at Casa de Teatro



CELAC Summit opens in Punta Cana
The Dominican Republic is hosting heads of states and governments of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) for the bi-annual summit of the regional inter-governmental organization in Punta Cana from 24-25 January 2017. CELAC promotes regional integration and development.

The organizer of the event, the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) of the Dominican Republic under Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas has confirmed the attendance of Evo Morales, Bolivia; Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia; Raúl Castro Ruz, Cuba; Rafael Correa, Ecuador; Salvador Sánchez Cerén, El Salvador; David Granger, Guyana; Enrique Peña Nieto, México; and Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua; Juan Carlos Varela, Panamá; and Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela. From the Caribbean, the acting President of Haiti Jocelerme Privert, the President of Dominica Charles A. Savarin, the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, and the governor general of Antigua & Barbuda Rodney Williams have confirmed their attendance to the summit on Wednesday, 25 January 2017.

During the summit, the temporary presidency of the regional block that the Dominican Republic has held for the past two years will be passed to El Salvador.

During the summit, the focus will be on food security, migration and development and the global drug problem. The heads of government and state will also be discussions on nuclear disarmament, gender issues, advancement of women, funding for development, return of Guantanamo to Cuba, need to put an end to the trade block against Cuba, the Las Malvinas conflict, saving indigenous languages, sustainable health systems, and the 20-30 agenda, among others.

The opening event is set for 7pm on Tuesday, 24 January at the Gran Teatro of the Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort with the keynote and welcome address by President Danilo Medina.

http://mirex.gob.do/medios/noticias/siguen-llegando-delegaciones-a-cumbre-celac
http://mirex.gob.do/medios/noticias/record-de-asistencia-de-mandatarios-a-la-cumbre-de-la-celac
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/01/24/miguel-vargas-pasa-balance-presidencia-celac


New public school in Sabana Perdida
Students in Sabana Perdida in Santo Domingo North celebrated their new 31-classroom facility. On Monday, 23 January 2017, President Danilo Medina visited the area to officially open the Escuela Básica El Ave María that will serve 1,015 elementary students in the extended day format with classes from 8 am through 4 pm.

The students will now receive breakfast, lunch and snacks. The new school is fit with a computer and science labs, a library, and a cafeteria.

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...estan-contentos-danilo-medina-entrega-escuela


Meeting set for minimum wage discussion
The National Salaries Committee (CNS) set 15 February 2017, as the date for the meeting to review the national minimum wage level.

According to a press release, CNS director, Felix Hidalgo, said that the decision to postpone the meeting that was originally scheduled for January was at the request of the employers, but that the union representatives were now in agreement with the new meeting date.

The reason for the delay was to give the new board members of the Confederation of Employers of the Dominican Republic (COPARDOM) more time to become familiarized with their duties and responsibilities within the organization.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...alarios-pospone-reunion-para-el-15-de-febrero


Leonel Fernández says it is time to revise DR-CAFTA
At a time when the new Trump administration in the United States has opened talks for changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada, Mexico and the United States, and its withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement with Pacific-rim countries, former President Leonel Fernández believes it is now a good time to revise DR-CAFTA.

The Dominican Republic – Central American Free Trade Agreement dates back to 2007, when it was first implemented in the Dominican Republic. The agreement was negotiated in 2003 under former President Hipólito Mejía.

Former President Fernández said that under the present circumstances, the agreement is not advantageous for the country. He noted that local producers are calling for changes, in the same way US sectors seek a review of NAFTA.

“If he (Trump) would like to revise NAFTA, we also wish to revise CAFTA,” said Fernández.

Fernández spoke during a meeting with directors and members of the National Confederation of Farm Producers (Confenagro) at Funglode.

He suggested seeking support from Dominican US representative Adriano Espaillat and from experts from the UNCTAD to revisit DR-CAFTA.

The director of the Statistics Office (ONE), Alexandra Izquierdo says that exports to the United States were US$3.45 billion, while imports from the United States were US$5.49 billion in 2016.

The president of the Confenagro, Eric Rivero motivated President Danilo Medina to take advantage of the CELAC meeting in Punta Cana from 24-25 January 2017 to discuss with fellow presidents from Central America the revision of the DR-CAFTA clauses. “We feel we can compete, but in equal conditions. We cannot compete with subsidies,” he said, as reported in Diario Libre.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/01/23/leonel-fernandez-favorece-revision-del-cafta
http://elnacional.com.do/comercio-eu-rd-casi-us9000-mm-en-2016/
http://www.diariolibre.com/m/econom...ierno-a-revisar-el-acuerdo-dr-cafta-NA6064395


Neney Cabrera seeks to head the Dominican Municipal League
The Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) registered the candidacy of Jose Leonel (Neney) Cabrera for the Secretary General of the Dominican Municipal League (LMD). An assembly to choose the secretary general will take place on 26 January 2017.

The PRD committee was headed by Rafael Vazquez (Fiquito) along with Junior de los Santos, Pedro Richardson, director of the Dominican Association of Municipal Districts  (ADODIM), Rafael Subervi Bonilla (Fello), and other party members. Neney Cabrera did not attend.

Junior de Los Santos, the Los Alcarrizos mayor, said that the agreement with the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) to share power would lead to national unity. He called the PRD the second largest political force in the municipalities with 82 local governments and 33 mayors who had the right to propose a candidate to head up the LMD.

Meanwhile, ruling PLD party mayors met yesterday but could not decide who to vote back – be it Ignacio Ditrén of the PLD, Neney Cabrera of their ally the PRD, or Johnny Jones of the PRSC. The PLD meeting was chaired by PLD secretary general Reinaldo Pared Pérez, who is president of the Senate, and has said repeatedly that the time has come for a PLD mayor to head the LMD.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/01/...rera-como-candidato-liga-municipal-dominicana
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...-logran-escoger-candidato-a-la-liga-municipal


Strike in San Cristobal public hospital
An indefinite strike was called by doctors in the Juan Pablo Pina public hospital in San Cristóbal on Monday, 23 January 2017. The strike would be called off later in the day after the Dominican Medical Association (CMD) agreed to a meeting with the director of the National Public Health System (SNS), Dr. Nelson Rodríguez Monegro to discuss the situation at the hospital.

The doctors are protesting what they referred to as hazardous working conditions and abuses of power exerted by the hospital director, Dr. Roberto Lafontaine.

The doctors are asking for the dismissal of the hospital director, stating that he verbally mistreats physicians and staff and has issued reprimands without cause.

The strike was led by the vice president of the Dominican Medical College, Wilson Roa, who warned that the doctors would not return to work until their demands had been met and that working and hygiene conditions in the hospital were unacceptable.

Specifically, Roa said that the gurneys in the maternity ward were unusable, and often two doctors had to manually hold open legs of the woman giving birth since there were no working sets of stirrups available.

He said that physicians and nurses were over-worked, noting that more than 20 doctors had been pensioned off and not replaced.The regional health director, Jose Daniel Martinez Garces, although not denying that problems exist, claimed that the friction between the hospital’s director and the medical staff was a result of the director’s insistence that hospital personnel comply with the newly implemented agreement regarding attendance and working hours. He assured reporters that his office was in the process of reviewing applications for new staff, including a new director, since Dr. Lafontaine is only a temporary appointment.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...-en-hospital-juan-pablo-pina-de-san-cristobal
http://www.diariolibre.com/m/notici...al-juan-pablo-pina-de-san-cristobal-YY6067054


Addendums to Odebrecht works sometimes doubled the original costs
A report in El Dia explains that the final cost of most of the construction works carried out 2001-2014 by the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht were double the original cost estimates. The company and government officials are under investigation after a New York court revealed millions in bribes had been paid in the Dominican Republic for the company to secure contract work.

The list of cost overruns reported in El Dia is:
Pinalito Hydroelectric Dam. Original 2004 US$131.7M – final cost 2009 US$300M.
Palomino Hydroelectric Dam. Original 2006 US$225M – final cost 2012 US$400M.
Duarte I Corridor. 2009 US$163.9M – final cost 2012 US$204M.
Coral Highway and bridge over Chavón River: 2009 US$272.2M – final cost 2012 US$400M.
El Río-Jarabacoa road: 2010 US$71M, final cost 2012 US$100M.
Hermanas Mirabal Aqueduct: 2010 US$51.3M – final cost 2015 US$110.2M
Santiago bypass road: 2013 US$95M, final cost 2014 US$130M.

http://eldia.com.do/adendas-a-obras-odebrecht-hasta-duplicaban-los-montos-iniciales/


César Sánchez and Andrés Bautista questioned by Attorney General
The former executive vice president of the Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), Cesar Sánchez, was questioned by the Attorney General concerning the bribes to government officials that the Brazilian company Odebrecht has admitted in a New York court to having payed to secure state contracts.

On his arrival for questioning, Sánchez explained to the media that although he had indeed signed the contract for the hydroelectricity works at Pinalito Dam for US$131.7 million, he insisted that no disbursements were made because the project would be carried out after the government of Hipolito Mejia had ended, a decision made by Mejía himself. He confirmed that that was the amount paid for the contract, even though Odebrecht submitted a proposal asking for significantly more money.

Andres Bautista, the acting president of the Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM), was also questioned because he was president of the Senate when several large construction projects were approved. Pinalito Dam was built from 2004-2009 at a cost to the Dominican government of US$300 million. He told the press: “I have nothing to do with Odebrecht nor any corruption case. He said he sat for questioning in his condition as past president of the Senate from 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...no-pago-un-solo-centavo-a-odebrecht-YF6061607
http://elnacional.com.do/andres-bautista-no-tengo-nada-que-ver-con-odebrecht/


Jailbreak in La Romana
The eastern regional director of the Police, General Neivis Pérez Sánchez, is investigating the escape of at least eight prisoners from the La Romana police station jail. In a late development, the Police said that three prisoners were returned to the jail.

He said that the escape occurred at dawn, Monday 23 January 2017, when the prisoners used a hacksaw to saw through the bars of the jail.

Among those who escaped was Daivy Guerrero Cabral (Davi), who was due in court yesterday accused of taking part in the murder of the well known businessman Ramon Galvez Bastardo (Moreno) in the municipality of Villa Hermosa. Galvez was attacked and killed at his business in September 2016. The supposed gunman, Luis Alberto Constanzo de la Cruz, is currently in jail on remand.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...-de-la-carcel-policial-en-la-romana-KC6062682


Mourning for Kansas Royals pitcher Ventura in Las Terrenas
Friends and family mourned the 25-year old Kansas Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura who died on Sunday, 22 January 2017 in a car accident on the Piedra Blanca to Rancho Arriba mountain road. Ventura was from Las Terrenas, Samaná province.

The members of the children’s baseball league recalled that Ventura set aside time to meet with them and practice with them when he was in the country as well as giving them baseball uniforms and equipment. The Samaná team director, Silvano Santos, who had trained Ventura from age seven to 14, said Ventura was an inspiration for the children.

The mayor of Las Terrenas has declared two days of mourning for his death that happened near Juan Adrian, some 70 kilometers to the north of Santo Domingo.

So far there is no report as to why the accident happened. Ventura was travelling alone in a SUV that he had imported in October 2016 from Florida. It is believed that he was not wearing a seatbelt.

Diego Pesqueira, Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET) spokesman, said that the accident happened at around 4:30am and it is not unusual for the area to be foggy at that time. Ventura’s funeral was scheduled to be held on 23 January 2017.

News reports indicate that 10 baseball players have died in traffic accidents since the 80s.

The fatal accidents involving baseball players include:
Ramón Lora. 30-year old pitcher and designated batter. 11 October 1985 when his car crashed into a tractor on the Navarrete-Santiago road.

William Suero. 30-year old baseball player when his car crashed into a light post on Av. Charles de Gaulle in Santo Domingo.

José Oliva. 26-year old baseball player who died at dawn on 22 December 1995 when his car turned over on a curve. He was not wearing his seatbelt. He had signed with the Seattle Mariners.

Rufino Linares: He died on 16 May 1998 when his car crashed into a coconut tree on Las Americas Expressway. He worked as a coach at the Japanese Hiroshima Toyo Card academy.

Andy Araujo: Pitcher who died on Av. Jacobo Majluta in 2000 when his car was run over by a truck.

Andújar Cedeño: Died on the road near Juan Dolio when his Mercedes Benz was run over by a truck.

José Uribe: 47-year old retired baseball player who died on 8 Deember 2006 in a car accident on the Nizao-San Cristóbal highway.

Oscar Taveras: 22-year old promising player who had just signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and died on 25 October 2014 in a traffic accident with speeding in his Chevrolet Camaro.

Given the number of traffic deaths of Dominican Major League baseball players over the past few years in the country, there are even some commentators suggesting that the Dominican players not be allowed to return to their homeland for the off season.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/01/23/rinden-tributo-yordano-ventura-pueblo-natal
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article128142759.html
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/160504-Ventura-killed-in-car-crash
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...-muerto-accidentes-transito.html#.WIaPgOmVs4o
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...minicanos-han-muerto-accidentes-transito.html
http://wwwviewfromthesideline.sport...t-players-out-of-the-dominican-republic-.html


More young men die in a car accident
Two people died and another four were injured in the municipal district of Maizal, Esperanza, Valverde province, when the vehicle they were travelling in left the road.

The two who died, Jhowin José Fernández Morán, aged 26 and Luis Miguel Cerda Peña, aged 22, both lived in Cristo Rey in Santiago and both died of severe head injuries.

The four who were injured, suffering from trauma and fractures, were taken to a private clinic in Esperanza and then transferred to Santiago, and were Noel de Jesus Espinal Fabián, Kelvin José Fernández, Kenluis José Rodríguez Morán and a minor, 15-year old Wolmy Rodríguez.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/01/23/dos-muertos-cuatro-heridos-accidente-transito-esperanza


Paul Clifford wins 15th Carib Wind Regatta in Cabarete
Canadian Paul Clifford sailed away with the 15th Carib Wind Mid-Winter Regatta that took place 20-22 January 2017 in Cabarete. Follow up was Peter Seidenberg of the United States. Martina Zeegers of the Netherlands placed third, becoming the first woman to ever win a medal in the laser radial category in the popular winter time sailing event.
The event attracted competitors from Canada, USA, the Netherlands, Argentina, Japan, Switzerland, British Virgin Island, Italy, and the Netherlands Antilles. Dominican woman sailor, Andrea Verdeja, placed 12th. 

In the standard laser sailing category, Ari Barshi, representing the Dominican Republic was first, followed by Daniel Petrovic of the British Virgin Islands and Mike Matan of the United States. Also competing in this category, Eduardo Verdeja placed 12th.

http://www.caribwind.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-PREMILINARY-RESULTS-R8.pdf


Carrefour 10K race
The Duarte Highway superstore announces its annual race, the Carrefour 10 K race will take place Sunday, 5 February 2017. The race, which will begin at 7 am, will from begin at the Carrefour Market at the Downtown Center on Av. Núñez de Cáceres and end at Km 10 of the Mirador del Sur Avenue.

The first prize is RD$15,000, second prize RD$10,000 and third price RD$7,000. There will also be cash prizes for winners in the 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 and more age groups.

The announcement was made by company officers Gerardo García. 

Registration is RD$700 in person or RD$770 online.

Race kits will be handed out on Saturday, 4 February from 10am to 6:30 pm at the Carrefour Market.

There will be medals for all finishing the race.

The Carrefour 10K race is in its 4th year. It is a benefit for the Fundación Amigos Contra el Cáncer Infantil that helps children with cancer.

Registration is being handled by SDCTickets online at http://www.sdctickets.do


Play ball: Licey vs. Aguilas at the Cibao Stadium
The Tigres del Licey from Santo Domingo and the home team, Aguilas Cibaeñas will play game 5 in a championship series that is tied to two wins each. The nine game playoffs will be won by the first to win five games. 

Pitcher César Valdez of the Licey will match Chris O’Grady of the Aguilas. 

Full house is expected for the game. 

The Licey has won 21 championships and the Aguilas 19. The Licey has won 10 championships against the Aguilas that has won nine. 

To follow the games, see http://www.lidom.com


Juan Pablo Duarte exhibition at Agora Mall
All throughout January, the Agora Mall is hosting an exhibition with portraits of Dominican Republic founding father, Juan Pablo Duarte. The exhibition is on the third level of the shopping mall that is located at Av. Abraham Lincoln corner Av. John F. Kennedy. Duarte's anniversary is on 26 January, but the holiday has been moved to Monday, 30 January 2017. 

http://www.listindiario.com/economia/2017/01/23/451333/celebraran-feria-ecoturistica-en-jarabacoa


The Great Gatsby at the National Theater
Dominican actor Carlos de la Mota stars in The Great Gatsby a production by Luis Marcel Ricart. The F. Scott Fitzgerald story will be staged at the main hall of the National Theater on the nights of 10, 11 and 12 February 2017. Other actors appearing in the play are Zeny Leyva, Karoline Becker, Roger Manzano, Mario Arturo Hernández, Francesca Yarull and Eduardo Villanueva. 


Argentinean rock at Escenario 360
The Argentinean alternative metal band, A.N.I.M.A.L. will be performing at the Escenario 360 of Galería 360 Mall. The trio is made up by Andrés Giménez (guitar and vocals), Cristian Lapolla (bass and backing vocals), and Marcelo Castro (drums). They will perform on Thursday, 23 February. Tickets are for sale online at Ticket Express for RD$1,200 (pre-sale price) and RD$1,500 at the door. 

Read more about them at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.N.I.M.A.L.

Listen to their music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsNK3a4x3qI


Tiempo de Mangos Verdes at Casa de Teatro
Casa de Teatro presents the comedy “Tiempo de Mangos Verdes” at its Cristóbal de Llerena hall. Wednesday, 25 January and Thursday, 26 January at 8:30pm. It tells the story of a longtime politician and his 16-year old daughter who becomes pregnant and attempts to hide this to not tarnish his reputation. Tickets RD$400.

Read more on ongoing and upcoming events at:
http://www.dr1.com/calendar


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

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