Medina tells farm sector DR has “ideal economy”
Medina convenes National Magistrates Council to choose higher courts judges
Ministry of Environment gives industries new deadline to stop polluting river
So far Public Health is dealing with malaria outbreak
Intrant makes license renewal even easier
Tax amnesty to get in line with the Asset Laundering Law 155-17
Bishop says businessmen live off of patients
87% of pension funds are invested in covering government deficit
New regulations for notarized documents go into effect today
Germany, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and US ambassadors present credentials
Robin Berstein recalled to Washington for consultations on Taiwan
Florida trade mission to visit in November 2018
Welcome shoppers ! La Sirena announces traditional Cleaning Fair
Victor Diaz Rua of Odebrecht fame went to Spain last week
Massive study on drug trafficking and terrorism will cover the Caribbean
Dominican second in World Kiteboarding Championship
Ministry of Public Works activates Emergency Committee
Watch those storms!
Medina tells farm sector DR has “ideal economy”
President Danilo Medina spoke on Friday, 7 September 2018, at the closure of the XIX National Meeting of Farm Sector Leaders that was sponsored by the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) and took place in La Romana. He said: “Combining growth and price stability at the same time is the ideal model for any economy in the world and the Dominican Republic is now living in a long. Of macroeconomic stability (….).”
Medina stressed the farm sector is a major contributor to macroeconomic stability. He said because of this, the government will continue to do everything it can for the sector to continue to expand. Medina said: “Having food security is priceless for any economy. The sector is heading towards 100% food security thanks to the work of all of you.”
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...icana-esta-viviendo-el-modelo-economico-ideal
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...icana-esta-viviendo-el-modelo-economico-ideal
Medina convenes National Magistrates Council to choose higher courts judges
President Danilo Medina convened the National Council of Magistrates for 2 October 2018, to choose or ratify the judges of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. The term of service for the 12 judges of the Supreme Court ends in December 2018 and for the judges of the Constitutional Court their term ended in December 2017.
As reported, the intention is to replace four judges of the Constitutional Court, including 78-year old Víctor Gómez Bergés, Leyda Margarita Piña, Idelfonso Reyes and Jottin Cury. The Council will also evaluate the status of eleven judges of the Supreme Court of Justice whose term expires on 22 December 2018. Their terms could be renewed. Likewise, the law allows for three of the judges of the Constitutional Court that have not reached retirement age of 75 years to continue in their posts if the council so chooses.
The announcement was made by legal advisor to the Executive Branch, Flavio Dario Espinal. He said the process will be transparent, participatory and rigorous and seeks to strengthen the higher courts and democracy in the country.
The Council of Magistrates is made up by: President of the Republic, the presidents of the Senate, Chamber of Deputies and Supreme Court, a senator chosen by the party of a different party than that of the president of the Senate; a deputy that belongs to a different party than the president of the Chamber of Deputies, a judge of the Supreme Court chosen by its president and the Attorney General.
President Danilo Medina practically controls the Council of the Magistrates, given that both the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies and the Attorney General were chosen by votes highly influenced by him.
The President convened the Council of Magistrates in April 2017 to elect the members of the Superior Electoral Court (the five judges were replaced) and replace two members of the Supreme Court of Justice.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...onsejo-nacional-de-la-magistratura-NF10732179
http://eldia.com.do/tres-jueces-del...on-posibilidad-de-ser-confirmados-por-el-cnm/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...prema-y-el-tribunal-constitucional-HF10734663
Ministry of Environment gives industries new deadline to stop polluting river
The Ministry of Environment has given companies located on the banks of the Ozama and Isabela rivers until 30 September 2018, to have functional water treatment plants. The goal of the government’s effort is to reduce the amount of contaminants dumped into the rivers and their larger watersheds.
Deputy Minister for Environmental Management has carried out over a two-year period a series of inspections and compiled data from monitoring stations of 101 companies located near the two rivers. Also identified are 140 workshops for mechanics, woodworkers and other trades that are liable to cause some type of environmental impact to the two rivers, either directly or indirectly.
The Ministry explained the inspections determine the level of environmental compliance the companies have in place. There is an emphasis on the quality of discharges as well as the place where residual waters and other liquids are discharged, and these companies had been granted a time frame for their compliance.
In May 2018, the Ministry concluded that some 70 companies have an environmental authorization or are in the process of obtaining this. But 31 have not ended the program and 13 have certain parts of the program yet to be fulfilled.
https://acento.com.do/2018/ecologia...presas-vierten-desechos-rios-ozama-e-isabela/
So far Public Health is dealing with malaria outbreak
Although new cases of malaria are registered almost every day, the country has this disease under control, mostly due to the government’s work in malaria prevention. Also, Ministry of Health has cited major advances that promise to eradicate the disease by 2020.
The director of Health Management in the Population, a part of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. José Manuel Puello, who has led the fight against malaria for several years when he was the director of the National Center for the Control of Tropical Diseases told reporters that the country is going towards the elimination of malaria. Nonetheless, he pointed out that this is an island shared by two countries and that it is not possible to eliminate the disease totally in one of the countries without it being eliminated in the other.
Between 2013 and 2015, the Dominican Republic was awarded the prize of champion in the fight against malaria in the Americas, given by the Pan-American Foundation for Health and Education, and the Milken Institute at the School of Public Health at George Washington University together with the School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University and the Pan-American Health Organization and the World Health Organization.
So far, the outbreak of malaria affecting the country is centered mostly in the town of Los Alcarrizos, a part of West Santo Domingo, with 30 cases reported. Another 16 cases were reported in Higüey in La Altagracia. Officials in West Santo Domingo have undertaken a door to door educational program that includes spraying in order to reduce the number of mosquitoes that carry this disease.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ntiene-control-de-casos-de-malaria-OF10733951
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...s-de-malaria-en-los-alcarrizos-20-confirmados
Intrant makes license renewal even easier
The National Institute of Traffic and Transportation (Intrant) announced that beginning this week and lasting until 28 September 2018, a mobile license renewal unit will offer services to drivers in San Cristobal, Hato Mayor, Moca, Los Alcarrizos and the Invivienda sector of East Santo Domingo.
The schedule is:
Monday, 10 September: Corozo Secondary School in Moca and at the Municipal Ayuntamiento in los Alcarrizos.
Monday, 17 September until Wednesday, 19 September: Manicera (Sociedad Industrial Dominicana) headquarters in Santo Domingo.
Thursday and Friday, 20-21 September: Agua Cristal in Santo Domingo.
Friday, Saturday 17-22 September: City government in Hato Mayor.
Monday, 24 September (a national holiday) until Friday, 28 September: National Police Station at Invivienda in East Santo Domingo, and Constanza in La Vega.
In order to obtain the drivers license for the renewal, persons must have the cédula as well as the receipt of the payment made to the Banco do Reservas that covers the taxes and services for obtaining or renewing a driver’s license.
http://elnacional.com.do/intrant-anuncia-ruta-de-unidades-moviles-de-licencia-para-septiembre/
Tax amnesty to get in line with the Asset Laundering Law 155-17
The Presidency sent to the Senate a bill that would eliminate past tax debts for those that file for previously unlisted property. The break also allows for new assessments of property. The bill is described as a kind of fiscal amnesty for persons and companies that file or update the worth of their property. The special tax would be set at 3% of the declared worth in case of real estate and 5% on other assets. The program is aimed at encouraging persons to comply with the Asset Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law 155-17 that incorporates tax evasion as a crime.
Magin Diaz said that Argentina applied a similar procedure. This would benefit transactions for assets carried out prior to 1 January 2018.
In the bill introduced on 3 September 2018 to the Senate, assets that may be subject to declaration or revaluation are described as: the possession of national or foreign currency by deposit declaration in an authorized entity, the properties over which no requirement for payment by the Tax Administration has been made "may be reassessed" and personal property located in the country, including assets.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2018/09/07/532115/someten-amnistia-patrimonial
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...especial-de-impuestos-sobre-bienes-GF10735425
Bishop says businessmen live off of patients
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, Monsignor Jesus Castro Marte, was openly critical of services offered by local HMOs calling the benefits received by the HMOs scandalous. He told reporters: “There are groups of businessmen who are living off of the patients, because the profits that the HMOs are due to the exploitation of the Dominican people. I believe that the benefits should be for everyone and that they should improve services that are offered at health centers, since there is not much coverage.” He made the remarks after participating in a seminar organized by the Catholic University of Santo Domingo on social security. He urged the government continue to strengthen its own medical insurance company, Senasa, that offers better coverage, according to the bishop.
Likewise, the bishop also rejected the intentions of those people who were seeking amendments to Social Security Law 87-01. He said that the amendments are sought to benefit businesses connected to health services and not the patients. Among the proposed changes is one that would increase the retirement age to 65.
Also speaking at the event, auxiliary bishop of Santo Domingo, Father Cruz, said that the proposals made during the three-day Congress will be delivered to a joint commission of the National Congress so that legislators better understand how the people feel. It is an ongoing reality that many patients complain of the services offered by the local ARS (HMOs) as well as the difficulties faced by contributors to have studies or operations approved. Many people have found themselves with little or no coverage for health problems, such as a broken arm, after religiously paying for the service over the years.
http://elnacional.com.do/define-ganancias-ars-explotacion-al-pueblo/
http://hoy.com.do/rector-ucsd-beneficios-de-las-ars-son-escandalosos/
87% of pension funds are invested in covering government deficit
The president of the National Business & Industry Association of Herrera (ANEIH), Antonio Taveras Guzmán criticized the fact that 87% of the pension funds have been invested in Central Bank bonds to cover the Ministry of Hacienda deficit. Taveras said the cash should have been used to foster economic development and job creation in productive sector. Instead, the funds are producing low yields that are insufficient for a decent retirement.
He added: "It is an issue that should concern all of us, employers, workers and the authorities. From the ANEIH we propose a frank dialogue to find a solution to the issue of pensions. If we do not do something now, in a few years we will have a terrible drama of a working population in retirement, aged and without the basic income to eat at least three times a day. "
Taveras observed that according to the quarterly reports published by the Superintendence of Pensions (SIPEN) from 2014 to 2018 the portfolio of pensions has doubled from RD$276.54 billion to RD$559.86 billion.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...n-deficits-presupuestario-y-del-banco-central
New regulations for notarized documents go into effect today
On 10 September 2018, the Regulation on the Registration of Notarized Documents goes into effect, according to the Association of Notary Publics. This establishes a new tax of RD$554 as approved by Resolution 21/2018, establishes that the registration of notarized documents will be under the control of the Presidential Secretary or a Chamber which functions as the president of the Commercial and Civil Chamber of the Appeals Court which is assigned the Court of First Instance where the Notary is registered.
Likewise the regulation says that when they are dealing with documents prepared by consular officials of the Dominican Republic overseas, who function as Notary Public, the registration will be supervised by the Commercial and Civil Chamber of the Appeals Court of the National District the regulation also stipulates that all notaries who prepare a notarized document must deposited within the next 10 working days at the Commercial and Civil Chamber of the Court of the First Interest in the judicial district where they are registered.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...os-a-registros-de-actos-notariales-OF10739979
Germany, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and US ambassadors present credentials
President Danilo Medina received credential letters from the ambassadors of the United States, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Germany on Friday, 7 September 2018. Also present were Vice President Margarita Cedeño and Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas. As reported by the Presidency, President Danilo Medina took time for a short exchange with each of the new ambassadors.
The ambassadors that presented their credentials were:
Robin Bernstein, United States. Insurance businesswoman. Member of the presidential transition team of President Donald Trump.
Volker Pellet, Germany. Adjunct chief for exports division at the German Ministry of Foreign Relations. In the past he had been assigned to missions in Cuba, Serbia and to the United Nations in New York City.
Faisal Muslat Gasab Almandeel, Saudi Arabia. Formerly ambassador to Cad and Cuba. He is a career diplomat since 1988.
Janet Omoleegho Olisa, Nigeria. Economist, formerly appointed to the United Nations mission, and those in Philippines, Israel, Spain and Belgium. She is a career diplomat since 1994.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...denciales-nuevos-embajadores-alemania-estados
https://santo-domingo.diplo.de/do-es/botschaft/-/2013900
https://do.usembassy.gov/meet-the-u-s-ambassador/
Robin Berstein recalled to Washington for consultations on Taiwan
On Friday, 7 September 2018, day after presenting credentials to President Danilo Medina, United States ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Robin Berstein, was called back to Washington for consultations, joining other recalled US diplomats in Panama and El Salvador. According to State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, the purpose of these consultations will be to evaluate the decision by these countries to break off relations with Taiwan in favor of a full diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. “Our three mission chiefs will meet with leaders of the United States government to discuss ways in which the United States can support strong institutions and economies that are independent and democratic in all of Central America and the Caribbean.
An editorial commentary in El Espia of Diario Libre on Monday, 10 September observes the US took 595 days to accredit an ambassador, but only one day to recall the ambassador.
In the Central American region, El Salvador was the latest to sign with People’s Republic of China over Taiwan, after the Dominican Republic did so on 1 May 2018, and Panama in 2017. Costa Rica had already signed with China in 2007. In the Central American region, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala maintain diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. In the Caribbean, only Belize, St Kitts, St Vincent, St Lucia and Haiti still recognize Taiwan.
https://www.diariolibre.com/mundo/e...en-republica-dominicana-por-taiwan-OC10742851
http://www.startribune.com/us-recalls-dominican-republic-el-salvador-panama-diplomats/492738661/
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/...essop-chinas-rapidly-advancing-caribbean-role
https://www.caribbean-council.org/china-seeks-greater-role-americas/
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/el-espia
Florida trade mission to visit in November 2018
Enterprise Florida, a pro-business entity, has put together around 20 Florida companies to visit 13-16 September for an export sales mission. The Dominican Republic is seen as the state’s largest market in the Caribbean basin. In 2017, the Dominican Republic imported more than US$3.1 billion in goods from Florida. The Dominican Republic ranks sixth in Florida’s trading partners, with nearly $6 billion in total trade between the two countries in 2016.
Manny Mencia, speaking for the entity, explained that now with a new US ambassador starting in September, the timing is right. US Ambassador Robin Bernstein is a Florida businesswoman herself. “Florida will have a friend in charge of US relations, so that’s a good thing,” Mr. Mencia said.
At the 2016 Republican National Convention, Mrs. Bernstein was a Donald Trump delegate and she served as one of President Trump’s Florida electors in the Electoral College.
“Exports for 2018 are up by about 5.5%, so we’re showing a positive trend in terms of growth. It’s a very robust market and it’s a market that is very Florida-centric – 40% of what they buy from the United States comes out of Florida,” Mencia said. “We’re talking to some of the Florida ports and hoping that they’ll be joining the mission. We have more than 35 companies who have already applied.”
According to Enterprise, the industry sectors that are the best opportunities for exports from the US to the Dominican Republic are air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, automobile parts and services, building products, hotel and restaurant equipment, computers and peripherals, medical equipment, printing and graphic arts equipment, renewable energy, safety and security equipment and supplies, sporting goods and telecommunication equipment.
A unique aspect of this year’s trade mission to the Dominican Republic is a business and trade seminar hosted collaterally by the World Trade Center Miami (WTCM) to promote its new Trade and Logistics Assistance Center. This new support arm for WTCM is designed to help small to medium-sized companies in Latin America and the Caribbean import their products through Miami into the US, said Ivan Barrios, vice president of WTCM.
The 15 November seminar is only the second one hosted by World Trade Center Miami. The purpose is to find Dominican exporters and help them bring their products into the US, using Miami as their gateway, Barrios said, as well as help exporters move past barriers to entry. The first seminar was held in Nicaragua.
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/events/export-sales-mission-dominican-republic/
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2018/09/04/florida-develops-dominican-republic-trade-mission/
Welcome shoppers! La Sirena announces traditional Cleaning Fair
Most readers of DR1 News know that the Grupo Ramos is the nation’s largest private employer, and their supermarkets large and small serve over half of the Dominican population. This September all of the stores in the chain are offering deals on cleaning supplies. Members who have the Siremas loyalty card will be eligible for an up to RD $3,000 shopping bonus with the purchase of selected items. The winners will be selected by a computer and will be instantly available to those cardholders will get lucky. According to the commercial manager of the Grupo Ramos, this yearly event comes just as the children have gone off to school and there is more time to clean the houses.
https://acento.com.do/2018/sociales/8603609-la-sirena-da-inicio-la-feria-limpieza-2018/
Victor Diaz Rua of Odebrecht fame went to Spain last week
Former Minister of Public Works and Communication, indicted in the corruption scandal involving the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, Victor Diaz Rua was authorized to travel to Spain supposedly to receive medical treatment for 15 days. As reported, he left on Wednesday, 5 September 2018.
The document authorizing the departure of the accused corrupt official was granted by the judge of Special Instruction of the Dominican Supreme Court, Francisco Ortega. In theory, at least, Diaz Rua has been given a 15-day permit to be out of the country, and he should return within this time frame to continue the preliminary hearings that will begin towards the beginning of October.
Diaz Rua is accused of receiving millions of dollars in bribes from Odebrecht.
The news of the medical leave was known 48 hours after he presented the immigration officials at the Las Americas Airport with the permit issued by Judge Ortega authorizing his trip to Spain for a medical checkup because of “pain in his knees.”
The Diario Libre notes that he might have traveled with close family members, but their names were not registered or available to the press.
Over the weekend a story broke that it is possible that Diaz Rua has Spanish nationality, according to a source who talked to the Diario Libre. The newspaper tried to confirm the information through the defense attorney Miguel Valerio, who has defended Diaz Rua during the judicial process. Valerio stated that he believed that this was so but he did not have any documents to substantiate the claim.
http://elnacional.com.do/diaz-rua-se-fue-el-miercoles-a-espana/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-rua-tendria-nacionalidad-espanola-KC10744284
http://eldia.com.do/juez-autoriza-diaz-rua-viaje-espana/
http://eldia.com.do/diaz-rua-viaja-a-espana-por-motivos-de-salud/
Massive study on drug trafficking and terrorism will cover the Caribbean
The Department of Homeland Security of the United States will carry out an exhaustive investigation regarding international drug trafficking and the potential for terrorism in the area of the Caribbean. The study will include Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the US Virgin islands, Haiti, Cuba and other countries in the area where more than 65,000 pounds of drugs mostly cocaine and heroine were confiscated. The investigation will include the participation of the US Coast Guard, the Border Patrol and other branches of government that deal with illegal narcotics trafficking.
This major step towards identifying the actors in drug trafficking is part of a broad legislative proposal that was approved late last week by the House of Representatives and introduced by the Puerto Rican Observer, Jennifer Gonzalez. This study will cover the entire maritime commercial areas that bring drugs into the United States and will include the Western Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea and even the Eastern area of the Pacific Ocean. The study is expected to conclude some six months after the law goes into effect. The proposal was approved by a voice vote that included the members of both parties in the House of Representatives.
http://elnacional.com.do/ee-uu-indagara-narco-y-terrorismo-en-caribe/
Dominican second in World Kiteboarding Championship
18-year old Dominican kitesurfer Adeuri Corniel came in second to Brazilian Carlos Mario in the World Kiteboarding Championships that ended on 9 September 2018 in Akyaka, Turkey. The Dominican team was made up by Posito Martinez, Luis Alberto Cruz and Joselito del Rosario, all Cabarete-born and trained.
Earlier this year in May 2018, Corniel was part of the Dominican team of kiteboard racers that won top places in the 2018 Youth World Championships Championships that took place in Hainan island, China. Corniel himself a freestyle star, had grabbed the top spot at that event that is a qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Argentina in October 2018.
https://www.iksurfmag.com/riders/adeuri-corniel/
https://www.iksurfmag.com/kitesurfing-news/2018/09/world-kiteboarding-championships-akyaka-podium/
http://www.worldkiteboardingleague.com/riders/adeuri-corniel/
http://twintipracing.com/news/item/...e-in-intense-battles-at-youth-worlds-in-china
Ministry of Public Works activates Emergency Committee
September and October are traditionally the most active months for tropical storms and hurricanes, and the Dominican Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) has activated its Emergency Committee that is in charge of control and prevention, as much as possible, of the effects of these tropical storms. Their main focus is the nation’s highway system together with its drainage and bridge systems.
The MOPC Emergency Committee system is linked to the bulletins issued by the National Meteorological Office (Onamet) and the reports from the Center of Emergency Operations (COE), and is ready to go into action as soon as conditions permit.
The areas that are most vulnerable are in the eastern portion of the island -- Hato Mayor, El Seibo, La Romana and La Altagracia. These areas tend to receive the greatest water load from tropical storms and hurricanes. Obviously, Greater Santo Domingo is also a major area of interest for the Ministry. Meteorologists have predicted that there should be an active “hurricane season” this year.
http://eldia.com.do/obras-publicas-activa-comite-de-emergencias-ante-paso-de-tormentas/
Watch those storms!
September is the peak months for hurricanes affecting the Dominican Republic.
September 2018 is no exception. Weather followers now point to follow Hurricane Isaac that is moving its way to the eastern Caribbean islands and by the end of the week could be passing Puerto Rico and Punta Cana to the south by Thursday or Friday, 13-14 September 2018.
The present forecasted path means at worst it would bring tropical storm force winds and rains to the southern coast as early as Wednesday, 12 September. Hurricane readiness preparations need already to be in place, not when the storm is two days away.
Follow the 2018 storm season as it relates to the Dominican Republic at:
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/171769-2018-Hurricane-Season/page14
http://dr1.com/weather/hurricanes.shtml
Medina convenes National Magistrates Council to choose higher courts judges
Ministry of Environment gives industries new deadline to stop polluting river
So far Public Health is dealing with malaria outbreak
Intrant makes license renewal even easier
Tax amnesty to get in line with the Asset Laundering Law 155-17
Bishop says businessmen live off of patients
87% of pension funds are invested in covering government deficit
New regulations for notarized documents go into effect today
Germany, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and US ambassadors present credentials
Robin Berstein recalled to Washington for consultations on Taiwan
Florida trade mission to visit in November 2018
Welcome shoppers ! La Sirena announces traditional Cleaning Fair
Victor Diaz Rua of Odebrecht fame went to Spain last week
Massive study on drug trafficking and terrorism will cover the Caribbean
Dominican second in World Kiteboarding Championship
Ministry of Public Works activates Emergency Committee
Watch those storms!
Medina tells farm sector DR has “ideal economy”
President Danilo Medina spoke on Friday, 7 September 2018, at the closure of the XIX National Meeting of Farm Sector Leaders that was sponsored by the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) and took place in La Romana. He said: “Combining growth and price stability at the same time is the ideal model for any economy in the world and the Dominican Republic is now living in a long. Of macroeconomic stability (….).”
Medina stressed the farm sector is a major contributor to macroeconomic stability. He said because of this, the government will continue to do everything it can for the sector to continue to expand. Medina said: “Having food security is priceless for any economy. The sector is heading towards 100% food security thanks to the work of all of you.”
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...icana-esta-viviendo-el-modelo-economico-ideal
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...icana-esta-viviendo-el-modelo-economico-ideal
Medina convenes National Magistrates Council to choose higher courts judges
President Danilo Medina convened the National Council of Magistrates for 2 October 2018, to choose or ratify the judges of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. The term of service for the 12 judges of the Supreme Court ends in December 2018 and for the judges of the Constitutional Court their term ended in December 2017.
As reported, the intention is to replace four judges of the Constitutional Court, including 78-year old Víctor Gómez Bergés, Leyda Margarita Piña, Idelfonso Reyes and Jottin Cury. The Council will also evaluate the status of eleven judges of the Supreme Court of Justice whose term expires on 22 December 2018. Their terms could be renewed. Likewise, the law allows for three of the judges of the Constitutional Court that have not reached retirement age of 75 years to continue in their posts if the council so chooses.
The announcement was made by legal advisor to the Executive Branch, Flavio Dario Espinal. He said the process will be transparent, participatory and rigorous and seeks to strengthen the higher courts and democracy in the country.
The Council of Magistrates is made up by: President of the Republic, the presidents of the Senate, Chamber of Deputies and Supreme Court, a senator chosen by the party of a different party than that of the president of the Senate; a deputy that belongs to a different party than the president of the Chamber of Deputies, a judge of the Supreme Court chosen by its president and the Attorney General.
President Danilo Medina practically controls the Council of the Magistrates, given that both the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies and the Attorney General were chosen by votes highly influenced by him.
The President convened the Council of Magistrates in April 2017 to elect the members of the Superior Electoral Court (the five judges were replaced) and replace two members of the Supreme Court of Justice.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...onsejo-nacional-de-la-magistratura-NF10732179
http://eldia.com.do/tres-jueces-del...on-posibilidad-de-ser-confirmados-por-el-cnm/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...prema-y-el-tribunal-constitucional-HF10734663
Ministry of Environment gives industries new deadline to stop polluting river
The Ministry of Environment has given companies located on the banks of the Ozama and Isabela rivers until 30 September 2018, to have functional water treatment plants. The goal of the government’s effort is to reduce the amount of contaminants dumped into the rivers and their larger watersheds.
Deputy Minister for Environmental Management has carried out over a two-year period a series of inspections and compiled data from monitoring stations of 101 companies located near the two rivers. Also identified are 140 workshops for mechanics, woodworkers and other trades that are liable to cause some type of environmental impact to the two rivers, either directly or indirectly.
The Ministry explained the inspections determine the level of environmental compliance the companies have in place. There is an emphasis on the quality of discharges as well as the place where residual waters and other liquids are discharged, and these companies had been granted a time frame for their compliance.
In May 2018, the Ministry concluded that some 70 companies have an environmental authorization or are in the process of obtaining this. But 31 have not ended the program and 13 have certain parts of the program yet to be fulfilled.
https://acento.com.do/2018/ecologia...presas-vierten-desechos-rios-ozama-e-isabela/
So far Public Health is dealing with malaria outbreak
Although new cases of malaria are registered almost every day, the country has this disease under control, mostly due to the government’s work in malaria prevention. Also, Ministry of Health has cited major advances that promise to eradicate the disease by 2020.
The director of Health Management in the Population, a part of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. José Manuel Puello, who has led the fight against malaria for several years when he was the director of the National Center for the Control of Tropical Diseases told reporters that the country is going towards the elimination of malaria. Nonetheless, he pointed out that this is an island shared by two countries and that it is not possible to eliminate the disease totally in one of the countries without it being eliminated in the other.
Between 2013 and 2015, the Dominican Republic was awarded the prize of champion in the fight against malaria in the Americas, given by the Pan-American Foundation for Health and Education, and the Milken Institute at the School of Public Health at George Washington University together with the School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University and the Pan-American Health Organization and the World Health Organization.
So far, the outbreak of malaria affecting the country is centered mostly in the town of Los Alcarrizos, a part of West Santo Domingo, with 30 cases reported. Another 16 cases were reported in Higüey in La Altagracia. Officials in West Santo Domingo have undertaken a door to door educational program that includes spraying in order to reduce the number of mosquitoes that carry this disease.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ntiene-control-de-casos-de-malaria-OF10733951
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...s-de-malaria-en-los-alcarrizos-20-confirmados
Intrant makes license renewal even easier
The National Institute of Traffic and Transportation (Intrant) announced that beginning this week and lasting until 28 September 2018, a mobile license renewal unit will offer services to drivers in San Cristobal, Hato Mayor, Moca, Los Alcarrizos and the Invivienda sector of East Santo Domingo.
The schedule is:
Monday, 10 September: Corozo Secondary School in Moca and at the Municipal Ayuntamiento in los Alcarrizos.
Monday, 17 September until Wednesday, 19 September: Manicera (Sociedad Industrial Dominicana) headquarters in Santo Domingo.
Thursday and Friday, 20-21 September: Agua Cristal in Santo Domingo.
Friday, Saturday 17-22 September: City government in Hato Mayor.
Monday, 24 September (a national holiday) until Friday, 28 September: National Police Station at Invivienda in East Santo Domingo, and Constanza in La Vega.
In order to obtain the drivers license for the renewal, persons must have the cédula as well as the receipt of the payment made to the Banco do Reservas that covers the taxes and services for obtaining or renewing a driver’s license.
http://elnacional.com.do/intrant-anuncia-ruta-de-unidades-moviles-de-licencia-para-septiembre/
Tax amnesty to get in line with the Asset Laundering Law 155-17
The Presidency sent to the Senate a bill that would eliminate past tax debts for those that file for previously unlisted property. The break also allows for new assessments of property. The bill is described as a kind of fiscal amnesty for persons and companies that file or update the worth of their property. The special tax would be set at 3% of the declared worth in case of real estate and 5% on other assets. The program is aimed at encouraging persons to comply with the Asset Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law 155-17 that incorporates tax evasion as a crime.
Magin Diaz said that Argentina applied a similar procedure. This would benefit transactions for assets carried out prior to 1 January 2018.
In the bill introduced on 3 September 2018 to the Senate, assets that may be subject to declaration or revaluation are described as: the possession of national or foreign currency by deposit declaration in an authorized entity, the properties over which no requirement for payment by the Tax Administration has been made "may be reassessed" and personal property located in the country, including assets.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2018/09/07/532115/someten-amnistia-patrimonial
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...especial-de-impuestos-sobre-bienes-GF10735425
Bishop says businessmen live off of patients
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, Monsignor Jesus Castro Marte, was openly critical of services offered by local HMOs calling the benefits received by the HMOs scandalous. He told reporters: “There are groups of businessmen who are living off of the patients, because the profits that the HMOs are due to the exploitation of the Dominican people. I believe that the benefits should be for everyone and that they should improve services that are offered at health centers, since there is not much coverage.” He made the remarks after participating in a seminar organized by the Catholic University of Santo Domingo on social security. He urged the government continue to strengthen its own medical insurance company, Senasa, that offers better coverage, according to the bishop.
Likewise, the bishop also rejected the intentions of those people who were seeking amendments to Social Security Law 87-01. He said that the amendments are sought to benefit businesses connected to health services and not the patients. Among the proposed changes is one that would increase the retirement age to 65.
Also speaking at the event, auxiliary bishop of Santo Domingo, Father Cruz, said that the proposals made during the three-day Congress will be delivered to a joint commission of the National Congress so that legislators better understand how the people feel. It is an ongoing reality that many patients complain of the services offered by the local ARS (HMOs) as well as the difficulties faced by contributors to have studies or operations approved. Many people have found themselves with little or no coverage for health problems, such as a broken arm, after religiously paying for the service over the years.
http://elnacional.com.do/define-ganancias-ars-explotacion-al-pueblo/
http://hoy.com.do/rector-ucsd-beneficios-de-las-ars-son-escandalosos/
87% of pension funds are invested in covering government deficit
The president of the National Business & Industry Association of Herrera (ANEIH), Antonio Taveras Guzmán criticized the fact that 87% of the pension funds have been invested in Central Bank bonds to cover the Ministry of Hacienda deficit. Taveras said the cash should have been used to foster economic development and job creation in productive sector. Instead, the funds are producing low yields that are insufficient for a decent retirement.
He added: "It is an issue that should concern all of us, employers, workers and the authorities. From the ANEIH we propose a frank dialogue to find a solution to the issue of pensions. If we do not do something now, in a few years we will have a terrible drama of a working population in retirement, aged and without the basic income to eat at least three times a day. "
Taveras observed that according to the quarterly reports published by the Superintendence of Pensions (SIPEN) from 2014 to 2018 the portfolio of pensions has doubled from RD$276.54 billion to RD$559.86 billion.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...n-deficits-presupuestario-y-del-banco-central
New regulations for notarized documents go into effect today
On 10 September 2018, the Regulation on the Registration of Notarized Documents goes into effect, according to the Association of Notary Publics. This establishes a new tax of RD$554 as approved by Resolution 21/2018, establishes that the registration of notarized documents will be under the control of the Presidential Secretary or a Chamber which functions as the president of the Commercial and Civil Chamber of the Appeals Court which is assigned the Court of First Instance where the Notary is registered.
Likewise the regulation says that when they are dealing with documents prepared by consular officials of the Dominican Republic overseas, who function as Notary Public, the registration will be supervised by the Commercial and Civil Chamber of the Appeals Court of the National District the regulation also stipulates that all notaries who prepare a notarized document must deposited within the next 10 working days at the Commercial and Civil Chamber of the Court of the First Interest in the judicial district where they are registered.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...os-a-registros-de-actos-notariales-OF10739979
Germany, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and US ambassadors present credentials
President Danilo Medina received credential letters from the ambassadors of the United States, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Germany on Friday, 7 September 2018. Also present were Vice President Margarita Cedeño and Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas. As reported by the Presidency, President Danilo Medina took time for a short exchange with each of the new ambassadors.
The ambassadors that presented their credentials were:
Robin Bernstein, United States. Insurance businesswoman. Member of the presidential transition team of President Donald Trump.
Volker Pellet, Germany. Adjunct chief for exports division at the German Ministry of Foreign Relations. In the past he had been assigned to missions in Cuba, Serbia and to the United Nations in New York City.
Faisal Muslat Gasab Almandeel, Saudi Arabia. Formerly ambassador to Cad and Cuba. He is a career diplomat since 1988.
Janet Omoleegho Olisa, Nigeria. Economist, formerly appointed to the United Nations mission, and those in Philippines, Israel, Spain and Belgium. She is a career diplomat since 1994.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...denciales-nuevos-embajadores-alemania-estados
https://santo-domingo.diplo.de/do-es/botschaft/-/2013900
https://do.usembassy.gov/meet-the-u-s-ambassador/
Robin Berstein recalled to Washington for consultations on Taiwan
On Friday, 7 September 2018, day after presenting credentials to President Danilo Medina, United States ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Robin Berstein, was called back to Washington for consultations, joining other recalled US diplomats in Panama and El Salvador. According to State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, the purpose of these consultations will be to evaluate the decision by these countries to break off relations with Taiwan in favor of a full diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. “Our three mission chiefs will meet with leaders of the United States government to discuss ways in which the United States can support strong institutions and economies that are independent and democratic in all of Central America and the Caribbean.
An editorial commentary in El Espia of Diario Libre on Monday, 10 September observes the US took 595 days to accredit an ambassador, but only one day to recall the ambassador.
In the Central American region, El Salvador was the latest to sign with People’s Republic of China over Taiwan, after the Dominican Republic did so on 1 May 2018, and Panama in 2017. Costa Rica had already signed with China in 2007. In the Central American region, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala maintain diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. In the Caribbean, only Belize, St Kitts, St Vincent, St Lucia and Haiti still recognize Taiwan.
https://www.diariolibre.com/mundo/e...en-republica-dominicana-por-taiwan-OC10742851
http://www.startribune.com/us-recalls-dominican-republic-el-salvador-panama-diplomats/492738661/
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/...essop-chinas-rapidly-advancing-caribbean-role
https://www.caribbean-council.org/china-seeks-greater-role-americas/
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/el-espia
Florida trade mission to visit in November 2018
Enterprise Florida, a pro-business entity, has put together around 20 Florida companies to visit 13-16 September for an export sales mission. The Dominican Republic is seen as the state’s largest market in the Caribbean basin. In 2017, the Dominican Republic imported more than US$3.1 billion in goods from Florida. The Dominican Republic ranks sixth in Florida’s trading partners, with nearly $6 billion in total trade between the two countries in 2016.
Manny Mencia, speaking for the entity, explained that now with a new US ambassador starting in September, the timing is right. US Ambassador Robin Bernstein is a Florida businesswoman herself. “Florida will have a friend in charge of US relations, so that’s a good thing,” Mr. Mencia said.
At the 2016 Republican National Convention, Mrs. Bernstein was a Donald Trump delegate and she served as one of President Trump’s Florida electors in the Electoral College.
“Exports for 2018 are up by about 5.5%, so we’re showing a positive trend in terms of growth. It’s a very robust market and it’s a market that is very Florida-centric – 40% of what they buy from the United States comes out of Florida,” Mencia said. “We’re talking to some of the Florida ports and hoping that they’ll be joining the mission. We have more than 35 companies who have already applied.”
According to Enterprise, the industry sectors that are the best opportunities for exports from the US to the Dominican Republic are air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, automobile parts and services, building products, hotel and restaurant equipment, computers and peripherals, medical equipment, printing and graphic arts equipment, renewable energy, safety and security equipment and supplies, sporting goods and telecommunication equipment.
A unique aspect of this year’s trade mission to the Dominican Republic is a business and trade seminar hosted collaterally by the World Trade Center Miami (WTCM) to promote its new Trade and Logistics Assistance Center. This new support arm for WTCM is designed to help small to medium-sized companies in Latin America and the Caribbean import their products through Miami into the US, said Ivan Barrios, vice president of WTCM.
The 15 November seminar is only the second one hosted by World Trade Center Miami. The purpose is to find Dominican exporters and help them bring their products into the US, using Miami as their gateway, Barrios said, as well as help exporters move past barriers to entry. The first seminar was held in Nicaragua.
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/events/export-sales-mission-dominican-republic/
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2018/09/04/florida-develops-dominican-republic-trade-mission/
Welcome shoppers! La Sirena announces traditional Cleaning Fair
Most readers of DR1 News know that the Grupo Ramos is the nation’s largest private employer, and their supermarkets large and small serve over half of the Dominican population. This September all of the stores in the chain are offering deals on cleaning supplies. Members who have the Siremas loyalty card will be eligible for an up to RD $3,000 shopping bonus with the purchase of selected items. The winners will be selected by a computer and will be instantly available to those cardholders will get lucky. According to the commercial manager of the Grupo Ramos, this yearly event comes just as the children have gone off to school and there is more time to clean the houses.
https://acento.com.do/2018/sociales/8603609-la-sirena-da-inicio-la-feria-limpieza-2018/
Victor Diaz Rua of Odebrecht fame went to Spain last week
Former Minister of Public Works and Communication, indicted in the corruption scandal involving the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, Victor Diaz Rua was authorized to travel to Spain supposedly to receive medical treatment for 15 days. As reported, he left on Wednesday, 5 September 2018.
The document authorizing the departure of the accused corrupt official was granted by the judge of Special Instruction of the Dominican Supreme Court, Francisco Ortega. In theory, at least, Diaz Rua has been given a 15-day permit to be out of the country, and he should return within this time frame to continue the preliminary hearings that will begin towards the beginning of October.
Diaz Rua is accused of receiving millions of dollars in bribes from Odebrecht.
The news of the medical leave was known 48 hours after he presented the immigration officials at the Las Americas Airport with the permit issued by Judge Ortega authorizing his trip to Spain for a medical checkup because of “pain in his knees.”
The Diario Libre notes that he might have traveled with close family members, but their names were not registered or available to the press.
Over the weekend a story broke that it is possible that Diaz Rua has Spanish nationality, according to a source who talked to the Diario Libre. The newspaper tried to confirm the information through the defense attorney Miguel Valerio, who has defended Diaz Rua during the judicial process. Valerio stated that he believed that this was so but he did not have any documents to substantiate the claim.
http://elnacional.com.do/diaz-rua-se-fue-el-miercoles-a-espana/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-rua-tendria-nacionalidad-espanola-KC10744284
http://eldia.com.do/juez-autoriza-diaz-rua-viaje-espana/
http://eldia.com.do/diaz-rua-viaja-a-espana-por-motivos-de-salud/
Massive study on drug trafficking and terrorism will cover the Caribbean
The Department of Homeland Security of the United States will carry out an exhaustive investigation regarding international drug trafficking and the potential for terrorism in the area of the Caribbean. The study will include Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the US Virgin islands, Haiti, Cuba and other countries in the area where more than 65,000 pounds of drugs mostly cocaine and heroine were confiscated. The investigation will include the participation of the US Coast Guard, the Border Patrol and other branches of government that deal with illegal narcotics trafficking.
This major step towards identifying the actors in drug trafficking is part of a broad legislative proposal that was approved late last week by the House of Representatives and introduced by the Puerto Rican Observer, Jennifer Gonzalez. This study will cover the entire maritime commercial areas that bring drugs into the United States and will include the Western Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea and even the Eastern area of the Pacific Ocean. The study is expected to conclude some six months after the law goes into effect. The proposal was approved by a voice vote that included the members of both parties in the House of Representatives.
http://elnacional.com.do/ee-uu-indagara-narco-y-terrorismo-en-caribe/
Dominican second in World Kiteboarding Championship
18-year old Dominican kitesurfer Adeuri Corniel came in second to Brazilian Carlos Mario in the World Kiteboarding Championships that ended on 9 September 2018 in Akyaka, Turkey. The Dominican team was made up by Posito Martinez, Luis Alberto Cruz and Joselito del Rosario, all Cabarete-born and trained.
Earlier this year in May 2018, Corniel was part of the Dominican team of kiteboard racers that won top places in the 2018 Youth World Championships Championships that took place in Hainan island, China. Corniel himself a freestyle star, had grabbed the top spot at that event that is a qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Argentina in October 2018.
https://www.iksurfmag.com/riders/adeuri-corniel/
https://www.iksurfmag.com/kitesurfing-news/2018/09/world-kiteboarding-championships-akyaka-podium/
http://www.worldkiteboardingleague.com/riders/adeuri-corniel/
http://twintipracing.com/news/item/...e-in-intense-battles-at-youth-worlds-in-china
Ministry of Public Works activates Emergency Committee
September and October are traditionally the most active months for tropical storms and hurricanes, and the Dominican Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) has activated its Emergency Committee that is in charge of control and prevention, as much as possible, of the effects of these tropical storms. Their main focus is the nation’s highway system together with its drainage and bridge systems.
The MOPC Emergency Committee system is linked to the bulletins issued by the National Meteorological Office (Onamet) and the reports from the Center of Emergency Operations (COE), and is ready to go into action as soon as conditions permit.
The areas that are most vulnerable are in the eastern portion of the island -- Hato Mayor, El Seibo, La Romana and La Altagracia. These areas tend to receive the greatest water load from tropical storms and hurricanes. Obviously, Greater Santo Domingo is also a major area of interest for the Ministry. Meteorologists have predicted that there should be an active “hurricane season” this year.
http://eldia.com.do/obras-publicas-activa-comite-de-emergencias-ante-paso-de-tormentas/
Watch those storms!
September is the peak months for hurricanes affecting the Dominican Republic.
September 2018 is no exception. Weather followers now point to follow Hurricane Isaac that is moving its way to the eastern Caribbean islands and by the end of the week could be passing Puerto Rico and Punta Cana to the south by Thursday or Friday, 13-14 September 2018.
The present forecasted path means at worst it would bring tropical storm force winds and rains to the southern coast as early as Wednesday, 12 September. Hurricane readiness preparations need already to be in place, not when the storm is two days away.
Follow the 2018 storm season as it relates to the Dominican Republic at:
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/171769-2018-Hurricane-Season/page14
http://dr1.com/weather/hurricanes.shtml