DR1 Daily News - Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Dolores1

DR1
May 3, 2000
8,215
37
48
www.
President Medina visits farmers
Time is running out to pass political and electoral bills
United Arab Emirates to donate solar panels for public hospitals
Digesett-AMET tells deliveries to get their act together
Remittances increase
Vehicles without taxation stickers continue to be impounded
Pitahaya farming is profitable
Study shows fashion industry operates out of homes in DR
Dominicans show a dwindling interest in religion
Major disparity between senior managers and workers
Haiti orders ban on Dominican imports
Santiago Mayor says too many Haitians violate laws
Dominicans still trying to reach Puerto Rico
Tourists rescued at sea
Fire at the Forum Tower in Santo Domingo
Victor Estrella plays Rafael Nadal in Australia Open
Winter Baseball update
Waiting for Godot at Casa de Teatro



President Medina visits farmers
On Sunday, 14 January 2018, President Danilo Medina visited producers of the Association of Agriculture Workers - Los Almaceyes Arriba in Tamboril, Santiago province, and promised support for production in the form of financing for avocado planting and a bus to be delivered the following week. President Medina promised the Ministry of Public Works would finish paving the road to the community and that a needed bridge would be built. Also present was Administrative Minister of the Presidency, José Ramón Peralta. Medina also ordered the building of a packing plant and a water reservoir that would be funded from the budget of the Dominican Agrarian Institute.

https://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/01/15/498697/danilo-dara-apoyo-a-productores-aguacate


Time is running out to pass political and electoral bills
The director for Latin America and the Caribbean of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) Daniel Zovatto when participating in a panel at the Iberoamerican University on 15 January 2018 called for Dominican legislators to pass the political and electoral bills that have stagnated for over 15 years in Congress. “The time for amendments has come, they cannot continue to kick the ball forward as they have been kicking it for the past 15 years, this is becoming an act of lack of responsibility,” said Zovatto. He said the issues are political not juridical.

The president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), in charge of organizing general elections in the Dominican Republic, Julio Castaños Guzmán said that if the bills are not passed within the next 150 days of the first legislature period of 2018, the JCE would have to resort to administratively regulating the 2020 elections.

Two of the key issues that have led to an impasse in the ruling PLD party are the matter of open primaries and the need to enhance controls on funding to reduce the influence of drug money and access to government funds by politicians who are in power.

https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...020-sin-ley-de-partidos-y-electoral-NY8980087


United Arab Emirates to donate solar panels for public hospitals
The Dominican Republic is to receive US$3 million from the United Arab Emirates for the installation of solar panels in 1,000 public health medical units across the country. The announcement was made by the executive director of the Dominican National Energy Commission, Juan Rodríguez Nina. Rodríguez Nina said that it was an ambitious project to supply 40% of the energy needed by the public health medical centers.

This support is part of a global agreement, the United Arab Emirates-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund for a total of US$50 million. The fund is targeted to developing renewable energy projects across the region, such as solar, inverters and others. Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Zani Bin Ahmed al Zeyudi, presented the agreement for funding projects in the Dominican Republic in Abu Dhabi. Amer El Kadi, consular assistant at the Dominican Republic Embassy in Abu Dhabi attended the ceremony and expressed his thanks to the UAE.

Announced in January 2017, the UAE fund is a partnership between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), which leads the initiative; the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), which provides the grant financing; and Masdar, which is responsible for technical management and international, competitive project tendering. The Fund intends to announce projects with up to 16 Caribbean countries over the next two to three years.

https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...solares-en-mil-centros-sanitarios-dominicanos
http://www.masdar.ae/en/media/detai...-fund-announces-major-projects-in-five-countr


Digesett-AMET tells deliveries to get their act together
Metropolitan Transport Authority officers have impounded dozens of motorcycles for violation of the Transit Law 63-17. This has affected dozens of deliveries. AMET says the delivery motorcycle drivers and others have been fined for driving without documentation, without helmets, on the sidewalks, and for reckless driving among other infractions.

Digesett-AMET spokesman, Tejeda Baldera said that the way these delivery drivers swarm around makes them a threat for citizens. He said many motorcyclists take short cuts, traveling in the opposite direction and jump onto sidewalks putting the pedestrians in danger.

https://www.listindiario.com/economia/2018/01/15/498679/amet-afirma-motos-violan-ley-63-417


Remittances increase
Remittances sent by Dominicans overseas to their relatives in the country reached over US$70 million more up to November 2017, compared with the same time period in 2016. This shows that the rising trend of remittances has continued over the past few years with the amount to November 2017 being US$ 640 million compared with US$570 million from 2016.

According to statistics from the Central Bank, in 2015, the amount of remittances received were US$141.2 million more than the previous year and 2016, the amount received was US$17.2 more than 2015. The average monthly amount of remittances sent in 2017 was US$440 million compared with a monthly average of US$400 million the previous year.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...us-570-millones-mas-que-las-de-2016-CK8972620


Vehicles without taxation stickers continue to be impounded
As of Monday morning, 15 January 2018, agents from the General Office of Security of Transit and Terrestrial Transport (DIGESETT=AMET), have impounded 1,584 vehicles that did not have the annual registration stickers. So far, according to the Customs Agency, 1,135,258 stickers have been renewed, leaving more than 144,000 still to renew. The registrations needed to be renewed no later than 8 January 2018.

http://eldia.com.do/amet-ha-retenido-mas-de-1500-vehiculos-sin-marbete/


Pitahaya farming is profitable
Pitahaya production in the Dominican Republic is on the increase. According to a note in Fresh Plaza online portal, the country has farms in several provinces with 38 hectares planted and able to produce yearly crops valued at almost RD$20 million. Plantations are located in the East, Santiago and Neiba in the southwest. The pitahaya (also known as dragon fruit) has great health benefits and a high demand in international markets.

According to the vice president of the Pitahaya Producers Cluster, Abraham Mora, producers make around RD$33,000 in profit each year for every tarea (1 tarea = 629 square meters) that they cultivate, which is around RD$495,000 per hectare. Mora said that that the 150 pitahaya producers exported the product to Spain and the United States last year.

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/187820/Dominican-Republic-The-pitahaya-is-highly-profitable


Study shows fashion industry operates out of homes in DR
The fashion industry in the Dominican Republic is primarily centered around home-based small business. Of these 76% operate from home, as revealed in a study carried out by the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, and Small Business (MICM). 82% of these businesses employed less than 10 workers.

The research (Diagnóstico y Direccionamiento Estratégico Inmoda RD), which was conducted to help generate strategic guidelines for the development of the fashion industry in the country, was ordered by the Dominican Republic Fashion Institute (InmodaRD). The study highlighted the potential of the industry to create jobs.

Research showed that 29% of the companies are less than five years old, 18% are 5 to 20 years old, 24% have been in business for more than 20 years. Others did not respond to the survey question.


Dominicans show a dwindling interest in religion
The Barometro Latinoamericano survey says that while the percent of Dominicans identifying with the Roman Catholic Church in 1995 was 64%, this had dropped to 60% by 2013, and 50% in 2017. 21% of the population self-identified as evangelicals and 28% professed no religion, and 2% reported that they followed other religions.

ather Rogelio Cruz, responding to a question from a reporter from Diario Libre, attributed the decline of Dominicans identifying themselves as Catholic to the failure of the Catholic Church to adapt to the times and demands of modern society. Fr. Cruz noted that times are much different now than they were 2,000 years ago.

Diario Libre pondered the impacts of pedophile priests and murders involving priests have on the credibility of the church among its followers.

https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/encuesta-dominicanos-se-alejan-de-la-iglesia-catolica-KM8970268


Major disparity between senior managers and workers
According to new data released by BBC Mundo, there are at least three countries in Latin America where the wage disparity is such that the employers earn nearly 10 times the wage of their employees. In 2017, senior managers in large companies in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Costa Rica were paid at least 10 times higher than new employees that had recently graduated from university.

The highest disparity ratio for wages was in the Dominican Republic (11.5). A high-level manager earns an average of US$145,885 a year, whereas an employee receives US$12,654, that is, 11.5 times less.
Other Latin American countries with high disparity are Guatemala (10.3) and Costa Rica (10.3). Ecuador, Peru and Colombia had disparity ratios of 9.1, 9.3 and 8.4 respectively.

Benjamin Frost, general manager of Reward Products of Korn Ferry, told BBC Mundo that these firms claim their hierarchical salary structure is on par with the "international market," while those at the bottom of the ladder are paid "according to the cost of living" of each nation.

This is in contrast with "mature economies" where the ratio between the two salaries ranges between 2.5 and 4.5. In the United Kingdom, for example, it is 3.4, meaning that managers earn 3.4 times more than workers. In "semi emergent" economies, such as in most Latin American nations, the ratio falls somewhere between 5 and 10. Some fast-growing economies see their ratio at over 10. For instance, China's ratio has reached 12.1.

https://www.telesurtv.net/english/n...-Latin-American-Countries--20180114-0009.html


Haiti orders ban on Dominican imports
The government of Haiti has again unilaterally banned on 15 January 2018 the import of 23 consumer products, including many that have the most demand. The unexpected renewal of the ban once again created commercial chaos at the border, Listin Diario reported. Among products banned are pasta, cement, rice, flour and vegetables, among others.

The president of the Association of Dajabon Retailers, Abigail Bueno, said that the measure is an abuse by the Haitian customs authorities that affects small businesses in Haiti and the poorest consumers in that country. He said the measure does not affect the large Haitian wholesalers.

Fernando Díaz, president of the Association of Market Vendors of Dajabon, said this is nothing new on behalf of the Haitian authorities.

https://www.listindiario.com/econom...-de-productos-dominicanos-de-forma-sorpresiva


Santiago Mayor says too many Haitians violate laws
Santiago Mayor Abel Martínez complained of having to wage war on undocumented Haitians for their constant violations of the laws and municipal regulations. He criticized the immigrants constantly invade public spaces creating slum-like conditions in different parts of Santiago and that the city needs the support of the central government authorities to combat the situation. Martinez called for the implementation of policies that impose immediate deportation of people residing illegally in country. The Mayor urged the migration authorities to act quickly and resolutely.

“Although my statement may seem harsh, this is a desperate cry for help to save the country from the ongoing Haitian invasion that is depredating our forests, occupying public spaces, defecating, urinating, assaulting, begging on streets, consuming our budget of public health, without paying taxes, situations that must be remedied and soon," said the Mayor in a press release.

He criticized the irresponsibility of the authorities in charge of immigration and called for them to apply the law. He said that to allow millions of undocumented Haitians to reside in the country is unacceptable. He called for the international community to help Haitians who live and work in Haiti. "At the rate we are going, soon there will be more Haitians in our territory than Dominicans and that is unacceptable. It is time for us to act responsibly, with patriotic criteria and without fear," he said.

Martinez regretted that on a daily basis there are thousands who enter through an essentially open border, joining the millions who are already here without legal status, due to the indifference of the authorities, to lack of urgency or concern with which this delicate issue is being handled by the pertinent government institutions.

https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...table-la-cantidad-de-haitianos-indocumentados
http://hoy.com.do/al-ritmo-que-vamo...erritorio-que-dominicanos-dice-abel-martinez/


Dominicans still trying to reach Puerto Rico
Fifteen Dominicans were arrested on 15 January 2018, some three nautical miles from Rincon, a municipality in the north west of Puerto Rico, while trying to enter the country illegally.

According to the authorities the group was travelling in a 16-foot fiberglass yola, when they were arrested at 2:45am, by the maritime unit of the Aguadilla, Puerto Rico police. The group was then handed over to the United States Coast Guard which is in charge of processing their deportation.

https://www.listindiario.com/las-mu...-llegar-a-puerto-rico-detienen-15-en-una-yola


Tourists rescued at sea
Three foreign tourists who were having problems with a sail boat that had been grounded on a reef in the north coast on Sunday, 14 January 2018, were rescued by the Dominican Armada (Navy) and Civil Defense. There were no injuries. The incident occurred off the coast of Luperon Bay in the province of Puerto Plata.

The rescued tourists were Canadian Michael Edward Sweeny, who was captaining the boat, Pole
Aneda Irena Kowalik and Austrian Alexander Sanz. They were on route from Haiti to the United States.
According to the Dominican authorities, they were travelling in a sailboat named “Lohta”, when the motor failed. Strong winds pushed the boat onto a reef. The boat began taking on water, triggering the captain to call 911 for help.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...ro-varado-en-costas-de-puerto-plata-IE8978208


Fire at the Forum Tower in Santo Domingo
The chief of the National District firemen, Colonel Rafael del Rosario said that a fire that broke out at the Torre Forum highrise located on Av. 27 de Febrero was successfully put out shortly after it occurred. The fire affected a technology equipment repair workshop located on the 7th floor of the building. The fire broke out at around 7:15pm. The firemen said that the outside stairwell of the building facilitated reaching the 7th floor. Del Rosario said an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

https://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/01/15/498797/fuego-afecta-torre-forum


Victor Estrella plays Rafael Nadal in Australia Open
The world sports press focused on the Australia Open match between Spaniard Rafael Nadal (ranked No. 1) and Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos (ranked 79th), known in his own right for being the oldest tennis player to make the top rounds. Nadal is recovering from a knee injury. The conclusion: Nadal is “anything but rusty.” As expected, Nadal overwhelmed Estrella, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, in an hour and 34 minutes.

But the press equally focused on the significance of the top tennis player embracing Estrella known for reaching the ranking of 51st in the world in 2015 for the first time when he was 35, an age when most tennis players are retiring. “The 37-year-old from the Dominican Republic earned a rousing reception when, after a long game, he broke the Nadal serve to avoid losing the second set at love,” reported The Telegraph of London. The Reuters photo of Nadal congratulating Estrella made the rounds of the press on Monday, 15 January 2018. Nadal is shooting for his 17th Grand Slam title.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2...victor-estrella-burgos-australian-open-first/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2...victor-estrella-burgos-australian-open-first/
http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/42685266
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...or-estrella-burgos-second-round-a8160156.html
https://www.listindiario.com/el-dep...or-estrella-pierde-ante-rafael-nadal-en-debut
https://www.metrord.do/do/deportes/...-alegre-haber-enfrentado-victor-estrella.html


Winter Baseball update
Licey slugger Juan Francisco connected two home runs in the Tigres del Licey victory over the Aguilas Cibaeñas at their hometown Cibao Stadium. The Licey won 7-3 over the Aguilas to retake the lead in the final week of the round robin to choose the playoff teams.

The Licey is now 9 wins to 6 losses, followed by the Aguilas with 8-7, the Gigantes del Cibao with 7-8 and the Leones del Escogido with 6-9. There are six games to go. The round robin ends on Thursday, 18 January 2018.

http://estadisticas.lidom.com/Estadisticas/Inicio
http://www.lidom.com/home/calendario/
https://www.listindiario.com/el-deporte/2018/01/16/498855/francisco-batea-dos-jonrones-y-empuja-4


Waiting for Godot at Casa de Teatro
An adaptation by director Manuel Chapuseaux of Irish playwright Samuel Beckett's tragicomedy in two acts, Esperando a Godot, will be staged at the Casa de Teatro on 20-21 January 2018. A poll conducted by the British Royal National Theatre in 1990 voted the play, "the most significant English language play of the 20th century". The leading roles are played by Omar Ramirez, Patricio León, Pepoe Sierra, Noel Ventura and Josué Hirujo.
 
Last edited: