The DR1 Daily News next update on 1 October 2018
AES Andrés back online with 110 megawatts
Illiteracy target nearly met
Dominican Republic has around 8.9 million mobile lines
Deputies push for sign-language instruction and scholarships for the Diaspora
Bill to ban alcohol sales in fuel stations
More fake PNRE IDs seized
Conatra and Fenatrano transport strike
Santo Domingo transport study findings show areas for improvement
Promoting green roofs
Pineapple production increases
Ines Aizpún recognized with Corripio Award
Man builds enormous sign to ask forgiveness to his girlfriend
Expo Cibao 2018 in Santiago
Marlon Martínez admits his guilt in Emely Peguero murder case
Dominicans take to social media to protest sexual abuse
The pedophile case of Fray Miguel Florenzan
Santo Domingo Tennis Open
Aramis Camilo celebrates 35 years singing merengues
PJ Masks at the National Theater
Edanco Festival at Palacio de Bellas Artes
The DR1 Daily News next update on 1 October 2018
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 1 October 2018. The Monday issue will compile headline news for the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the Forums. See the DR1 Forum at http://www.dr1.com
AES Andrés back online with 110 megawatts
During a meeting on Wednesday, 26 September 2018 in New York City with President Danilo Medina, the CEO of AES Corporation, Andrés Gluski, revealed that the natural gas company has the AES Andres power plant back on the national power grid generating 110 megawatts of power. As of November, an additional 120 megawatts will be added to the system. Gluski said that by February 2019, he expects the complete 300 megawatts will be back on the Dominican Republic electric grid. The company had reported the unplanned shutdown of AES Andrés that suffered an accident on 3 September 2018 supposedly when it was struck by lighting.
Also participating in the meeting were AES chief operating officer Bernerd da Santos, the regional president for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Juan Ignacio Rubiolo, and the director of public relations, Madelka McCalla.
Participating for the Dominican Republic were Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta, Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero and the executive vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), Rubén Jiménez Bichara.
President Danilo Medina was in New York to participate in the 73rd UN General Assembly. President Medina flew back to Santo Domingo on Wednesday, 26 September 2018.
AES is the largest US investor in the Dominican Republic, and the sole operator of natural gas fired power plants. It also has the country’s only LNG import terminal. In 2014, the company had expressed its interest in creating a LNG hub for servicing the rest of the Caribbean from the Dominican Republic. AES plants are among the lowest cost plants in the country. The company began operations in 1997, at a time when the country relied solely on petroleum fuels such as heavy oil, gasoline, and diesel for thermal generation.
The meeting with Gluski in New York comes after it is known that a Chinese government entity signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a 1,200MW natural gas power complex in Montecristi, in the area of the Manzanillo Port on the northwest. The AES power plant is located on the south coast. The Chinese-proposed project also encompasses the construction of the natural gas terminals as well as transmission and distribution systems from the power plant to the national power grid. China Huayang Economic and Trade Group signed the MOU with the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) on 5 July 2018.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...-con-presidente-aes-corporation-andres-gluski
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/172577-DR1-Daily-News-Thursday-19-July-2018
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-113hhrg88831/html/CHRG-113hhrg88831.htm
Illiteracy target nearly met
The National Literacy Plan “Quisqueya Learns With You” has announced the steps to follow for the declaration that the Dominican Republic is free of illiteracy in November 2019. In reality, the country’s illiteracy rate is currently 6.8% and to achieve the goal of less than 5% around 80,000 people still need to be taught to read and write.
In order to meet this goal, 30 municipalities have been selected who will have the largest effect on reducing the national rate of illiteracy due to their large populations. Among the municipalities chosen for the program are Santo Domingo, Santiago, San Cristóbal, Azua, Puerto Plata, El Seibo and Yaguate. Facilitators and coordinators are being selected for the chosen areas.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...pais-estara-libre-de-analfabetismo-PO10876081
Dominican Republic has around 8.9 million mobile lines
According to the telecommunications watchdog Indotel, the Dominican Republic reached 8.9 million mobile lines at the end of July. Around 76% of the lines were prepaid lines and the remaining 24% were post-pay.
Claro (America Movil) continuing as market leader thanks to 4.89 million lines that represents a 55% share. Altice followed with 3.46 million lines and a 39% market share, with Viva accounting for the remaining 539,520 lines.
https://www.telecompaper.com/news/dominican-republic-up-to-89-mln-mobile-lines--1261914
Deputies push for sign-language instruction and scholarships for the diaspora
The Chamber of Deputies introduced urgent legislation and passed a proposal that would regulate the teaching of sign language for the deaf as well as the braille system for the blind in the Dominican Republic. This initiative by deputy Tobias Crespo calls for the Ministry of Higher Education (MESCYT) to promote training of sign language interpreters and to provide for the trained personnel to be utilized in the public education system to assist hearing-impaired students.
The legislation also obliges government institutions to use auditory and visual signs for these special individuals. The legislation now goes to the Senate for approval.
The deputies also passed legislation that enables Dominicans living abroad to opt for scholarships from the (MESCYT).
http://eldia.com.do/diputados-aprueban-ley-para-lenguaje-de-senas/
Bill to ban alcohol sales in fuel stations
Deputy Carlos Amarante García (Espaillat-PLD), son of former Minister of Interior and Police Carlos Amarante Baret, submitted a bill that would penalize the selling of alcohol on the premises of fuel stations, including their food shops. The bill highlights that drunk driving has caused a high percentage of traffic accidents, resulting in deaths, incapacities and property damage.
The bill establishes that the Ministry of Interior and Police temporarily be empowered to shut down the fuel stations until a final decision is taken by a judge. A specialized alcoholic beverages prosecution service would be created to implement the provisions.
After the passing of the law, fuel stations are given one year to stop the sale of alcoholic beverages from their premises.
http://sil.camaradediputados.gob.do:8095/ReportesGenerales/VerDocumento2?documentoId=81480
More fake PNRE IDs seized
The Migration Agency (DGM) reported another 1,603 fake National Foreigner Status Legalization Plan (PNRE) IDs have been seized. The documents were sold to foreigners who illegally reside in the Dominican Republic so that these individuals could pass for legal residents.
The DGM inspectors can now connect to the central database using biometric readers to verify the cards. The DGM said the individuals caught in the operation will be deported.
The cards were seized in DGM operations in Santiago, Dajabón, Pedernales and Independencia provinces. Migration inspectors also seized adulterated Dominican and Haitian passports, and expired residency and student permits.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...as-de-mil-carnes-y-otros-documentos-alterados
Conatra and Fenatrano transport strike
Transport unions Conatra and Fenatrano announce their units will not be in service on Thursday, 27 September 2018, as they protest high prices of fuel. The unions demand that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce reduce prices of regular diesel now at RD$193.80 to RD$103 and regular gasoline from RD$230.20 to RD$156. The transporters also are calling for propane gas to drop from RD$127.60 at present to RD$65.
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado/2018/09/25/hubieres-dice-paro-ayer-fue-calentamiento.html
Santo Domingo transport study findings show areas for improvement
Inhabitants in Greater Santo Domingo have an average commute to work of one hour and fifteen minutes at a cost of RD$55 per trip, according to the results of a recent mobility study conducted by experts from the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD) for the National Traffic and Ground Transport Institute (Intrant). The study also revealed the traffic accounts for 20% of total CO2 emissions in the country which is the equivalent of about 428 kilograms of CO2 a year; or 128 grams of CO2 per traveler.
The researchers say that while the mass transport system of Greater Santo Domingo is efficient, it is operating at peak, with main corridors already saturated at peak hours. There is saturation on Metro Line 1, between stations Peña Gómez in Villa Mella and Juan Pablo Duarte (John F. Kennedy and Máximo Gómez avenues).
"There are high demand radial corridors without mass transport, including the corridors of Los Alcarrizos, Independencia, México, Avenida Ecológica and Mella. In addition road network restricted by bridges, very narrow secondary network, lack of regulation and congestion in the primary network, " highlights the study.
The study recommends implementing road education program for citizens and improved inter-institutional coordination. The study highlights a strong relationship between school schedules and congestion and lack of proper order on city streets where improvised parking and other inconveniences tie-up traffic.
The study determined that 36% of people living in Greater Santo Domingo use public transport. This is broken down to 9% that use the Metro, 14% multi-fare taxis or conchos (16,275 units), and 13% minibuses or buses. Another 42% use private vehicles and 21% get around on foot. The findings are from a survey of 4,300 households in Greater Santo Domingo by the consulting firm Systra Internacional, covering the National District, Santo Domingo North, East and West and Los Alcarrizos.
71% of people that get around in Greater Santo Domingo do so for studies or work.
The study revealed that private transport is 42% of the mobility, private vehicle is 32%, motorcycle travel is 3%, mototaxis (motoconcho) is 3% and Uber-Taxi is 2%. Less than 1% gets around by bicycle.
The inter-municipality transport is 70% with transfers primarily between the National District, Santo Domingo North and Los Alcarrizos. In Santo Domingo East and West mobility is less at 60 and 65%.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...elan-corredores-estan-saturados-en-horas-pico
Promoting green roofs
Unibe University is developing the Green Roof Lab project that proposes the use of rooftops as an environmental sustainable adaptation mechanism for the mitigation of effects of climate change, flooding rains and prolonged drought in the Dominican Republic. The green roofs can replicate a natural environmental and increase water-holding capacity, stabilize micro environments that reduce temperatures. In an urban environment, green roofs have been known to be a sustainable solution to abate urban water runoff quantity, by essentially recycling rainwater, and reducing the heated island effect.
The local green roof initiative was begun in 2012, as part of the National Fund for Innovation and Scientific and Technological Development (Fondocyt) and the efforts of the Unibe University. The project has installed a series of slabs covered by crops that require minimum human intervention. The effects of the green roof technologies on temperature, runoff and other variables are being measured. Engineering and architecture students are participating in the program, as explained by environmental expert Ana Sofia Ovalle, professor at Unibe, who also works as technical advisor at the GIZ German Development Agency in Santo Domingo.
https://listindiario.com/la-vida/20...roof-lab-solucion-sostenible-de-investigacion
Pineapple production increases
According to the director of the Special Fund for Agriculture Development (FEDA), Casimiro Ramos, the production of pineapples has increased from 97 million units for each of the last few years to 200 million this year. He said that in 2012 the exports of pineapples reached around US$2.5 million and production now stands at US$10 million.
He went on to say that FEDA had around 400 producers who had received RD$189 million from the surprise visits of President Danilo Median La Cueva de Cevicos, in Sánchez Ramírez and the area of Monte Plata.
Ramos was speaking at the Pineapple Congress held in a hotel in Santo Domingo. He said that following orders from President Medina some 10 million pineapple plants were imported from Costa Rica and this had contributed to the increase in production.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...aumenta-en-la-republica-dominicana-JO10874915
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...can-evitar-la-venta-de-alcohol-en-gasolineras
Ines Aizpún recognized with Corripio Award
Managing editor at Diario Libre, Ines Aizpún was honored with the Corripio Foundation Communication Award announced on Wednesday, 26 September 2018. She is best known for her editorials in the newspaper.
Other winners of the RD$1 million cash awards are Freddie Cabral, sculpture; Jose Joaquin Puello, neurological sciences; and Jaime de Jesus Domínguez, historiography.
Also receiving award money were the Fundacion St. June, the Fundación Amor y Paz and the Escuelas Vocacionales de las Fuerzas Armadas y la Policia Nacional.
The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, 9 October 2018 at the National Theater at 7pm.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-trayectoria-de-fundacion-corripio-FA10895077
Man builds enormous sign to ask forgiveness to his girlfriend
The story of a young man, identified as Josué, asking his girlfriend for forgiveness went viral on Tuesday, 25 September 2018. The man on Tuesday went up to the roof of centrally-located Unicentro Plaza on Av. Abraham Lincoln and Av. 27 de Febrero and hung down from the roof an enormous sign asking Martina to forgive him. The video shows him on the top of the roof asking forgiveness, and the sign read: “Forgive me, Martina, I love you!”
http://elnacional.com.do/video-hombre-sube-azote-unicentro-plaza-y-pide-perdon-a-novia/
Expo Cibao 2018 in Santiago
The Chamber of Commerce of Santiago is hosting the annual industry and business exhibition in the Central Park of Santiago from Wednesday, 26 September through Sunday, 30 September. The fair highlights primarily goods made in Santiago.
Chamber of Commerce president, Marco Cabral, in his speech to inaugurate the event, called for a cultural change in the Dominican Republic. “That breaking laws and regulations not be the national sport; let’s leave that to our winter baseball players,” he said upon inaugurating the 31st Santiago fair. “We share the opinions of those who say that to export we have to be competitive and to be competitive we need transcendental changes for an effective judicial system where the law is applied to all,” he stated.
He said that tax exemptions should be monitored so that these have a positive impact on the Dominican economy. Cabral also referred to ground transport, which he said is the most expensive in the region. He called for real solutions to the bottleneck that threatens both cargo and passenger transport. He also said the labor code needs to be adapted to the 21st century, highlighting duplicities that create heavy burdens for companies.
http://hoy.com.do/camara-comercio-santiago-inaugura-expo-cibao-2018/
Marlon Martínez admits his guilt in Emely Peguero murder case
Speaking during the hearing of then 16-year old teenager Emely Peguero murder case, the 20-year old admitted to his participation in an abortion that turned into involuntary homicide, but at the same time acquitted his mother. He said he and Emely were scared of how the father of Emely would take the pregnancy.
Prosecutors seek a 30-year sentence for Marlon, and a 20-year sentence for complicity for his mother, Marlin Martínez.
What is known is that Peguero went missing on 19 August 2017 in her hometown of Cenoví in Duarte province. Her body was found on 31 August in a suitcase alongside the La Guama road in Cayetano Germosén, Espaillat province. The abortion and murder from a blow, as ascertained in the autopsy, would be committed at the home of Marlon and his mother Marlin Martínez.
The next hearing is scheduled for 4 October 2018.
https://www.diariolibre.com/portada...n-al-aborto-para-una-condena-menor-MA10890185
https://remolacha.net/2018/09/el-momento-mas-dramatico-del-testimonio-de-marlon-martinez/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXhqGO_oGCo
Dominicans take to social media to protest sexual abuse
The case of radio host Pablo Ross has revved up memories of past sexual abuse and feminicides that have been heard in the Dominican judiciary. Fellow radio host Melton Pineda was criticized for his remarks on female attire, and others took the opportunity to criticize the Dominican Baseball League naming the next Dominican Baseball Championship to honor long-running president of the league, Leonardo Matos Berrido, who some 36 years ago was acquitted in the murder case of Edith Gomez.
Communicator Susana Gautreau said that machismo is an ideology here and mentioned several cases: “Los Melton, Los Pablo Ross, Los Matos Berridos, Los Gabriel Villanueva, Los Donni Santana, Los Odalis Ledesma, los Bernardo Aleman are among us with their machista mentality and attitude. They are people that have been investigated and that have public profiles.”
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...on-pineda-y-leonardo-matos-berrido-AA10895104
https://remolacha.net/2018/09/leonardo-matos-berrido-y-el-asesinato-a-su-ex-esposa/#more-427743
The pedophile case of Fray Miguel Florenzan
The case for sexual abuse against Fray Miguel Florenzan, director of the Colegio Agustiano in La Vega, continues to be heard in a La Vega court. The school is one of the better private schools in La Vega.
20-year old Victor Mañón Arias has come front to accuse the very influential priest. When Mañón was 11 years old his father died and his mother sought refuge in the priest of the Catholic school to help her son survive his loss. He was in sixth grade.
“He took advantage of the vulnerability of my son,” says his mother. She said he trusted the priest who named him altar boy. She declared her son was raped when he was 16 years old in the school. But when in January 2015 he traveled to a Agustiano school trip he was again raped in a hotel room. Mañón then would tell on Florenzan to the youth ministry representative.
The prosecutors said that the coordinator of the youth ministry at the time, Leidy Lespin Tapia, became aware of the sexual abuse during a school trip to Argentina. Reportedly, she confronted the priest who she says admitted to what had happened. Lespin would then resign the position, says the prosecution. Mañón’s mother, Bella Ilonka Arias, said everyone in the school was aware but the sexual abuse was hidden from her.
When Mañón returned to the school, he said he sought help from the school psychologist, who instead accused him of being responsible for the sexual abuse.
When her son went to live in the United States, she received a letter from him telling about how he was sexually abused. Victor Mañon took his case to Instagram and received the courage to denounce his case that was taken up by the La Vega prosecutors.
Other victims have come forth, around 20 persons, but these are under of pressure to not serve as witnesses to the actions of the former school director.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu9cYqVsn5g
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/justicia/sacerdote-abusaba-de-menor-en-el-colegio-LB10889103
Santo Domingo Tennis Open
Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay (ATP ranking 68, career high 21) and Argentinean Guido Andreozzi (ATP ranking 98, career high 97) are coming for the Santo Domingo Open 2018.
Playing for the Dominican Republic will be Victor Estrella (ATP ranking 304, career high 43), Jose Hernandez (ATP ranking 270, career high 179) and Roberto Cid (ATP ranking 241, career high 241).
The championship will be played on the clay courts of the Santo Domingo Tenis Club (La Bocha) from 6 to 13 October. The winners are competing for US$125,000 in prize money.
Aramis Camilo celebrates 35 years singing merengues
Merengue singer Aramis Camilo will be celebrating his 35 year career with a concert at the Hard Rock Café on 30 November 2018. Camilo had recently signed with Muzik Connection Records. “El Retorno del Don” is the name of the concert. Camilo will be accompanied by the Organización Secreta. Camilo had been living in New York City and now is relocating to the Dominican Republic.
He will be singing his hits: Merengues como Nena, El tente, El motor, Llévame contigo, Señorita, Si me dejas hoy, Te quise tanto, Si la ven, Ellas, Hello, El alicate, El repollo, El candado, Susana, La varita, Pena de hombre, Qué cuerpo, A que lloro, Laura, Caballito frenao and many more at the Hard Rock Café.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/09...oncierto-rd-para-celebrar-35-anos-de-carrera/
PJ Masks at the National Theater
PJ Masks, the live performance of the animated children's television series produced by Entertainment One, Frog Box, and TeamTO, is booked for presentations at the National Theater on Friday, 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October 2018. The children’s show has been unusually assigned the Carlos Piantini Hall of the National Theater. The series is based on the Les Pyjamasques book and has been shown on Disney Channel, Disney Junior since September 2015.
Edanco Festival at Palacio de Bellas Artes
The 2018 International Contemporary Dance Festival (Edanco) is taking place at venues in the Colonial City, organized by Edmundo Poy. Martinique is the guest country with five contemporary dance companies that have come for the event. 11 countries are sending dance companies. Admission is RD$200.
Overall, Edanco 2018 is 24 performances during the two-week event, set for Monday, 24 September to Sunday, 7 October 2018. Edanco opened at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Santo Domingo, with other events at the Mamey Librería Café and Quinta Dominica, the two latter in the Colonial City.
The festival also includes dance workshops, including one by Flexx Vaillant of Martinica on AFrohouse on 23 September from 10am to 12pm.
The Martinique presentations continue on 28 September and 1 October at 8:30pm at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Coming are: Cie Christiane Emmanuel, Art/Fact Company, Murmure Du Silence and La Cie Yonn De Moun. The opening gala is on Tuesday, 25 September when the dance company Christiane Emmanuel takes the stage at Bellas Artes.
Other dance companies are Daniel Abreu (Spain) on Thursday, 27 September at 8:30pm at the Palacio de Bellas Artes; Siga (South Korea) at 6:30pm and 8:30pm, also at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. And the Cardell Dance Theater (United States) on Thursday, 4 October and Friday, 5 October, and on Saturday, 6 October at 5:30pm at the Galeria Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Dance companies from Canada, Colombia Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States and Venezuela are participating.
There will be several performances by the Ballet Nacional Domincano, the National Dance School, and local independent groups and private academies.
https://www.facebook.com/MWDanceProject/photos/pcb.1918917501735483/1918914928402407/?type=3&theater
AES Andrés back online with 110 megawatts
Illiteracy target nearly met
Dominican Republic has around 8.9 million mobile lines
Deputies push for sign-language instruction and scholarships for the Diaspora
Bill to ban alcohol sales in fuel stations
More fake PNRE IDs seized
Conatra and Fenatrano transport strike
Santo Domingo transport study findings show areas for improvement
Promoting green roofs
Pineapple production increases
Ines Aizpún recognized with Corripio Award
Man builds enormous sign to ask forgiveness to his girlfriend
Expo Cibao 2018 in Santiago
Marlon Martínez admits his guilt in Emely Peguero murder case
Dominicans take to social media to protest sexual abuse
The pedophile case of Fray Miguel Florenzan
Santo Domingo Tennis Open
Aramis Camilo celebrates 35 years singing merengues
PJ Masks at the National Theater
Edanco Festival at Palacio de Bellas Artes
The DR1 Daily News next update on 1 October 2018
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 1 October 2018. The Monday issue will compile headline news for the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the Forums. See the DR1 Forum at http://www.dr1.com
AES Andrés back online with 110 megawatts
During a meeting on Wednesday, 26 September 2018 in New York City with President Danilo Medina, the CEO of AES Corporation, Andrés Gluski, revealed that the natural gas company has the AES Andres power plant back on the national power grid generating 110 megawatts of power. As of November, an additional 120 megawatts will be added to the system. Gluski said that by February 2019, he expects the complete 300 megawatts will be back on the Dominican Republic electric grid. The company had reported the unplanned shutdown of AES Andrés that suffered an accident on 3 September 2018 supposedly when it was struck by lighting.
Also participating in the meeting were AES chief operating officer Bernerd da Santos, the regional president for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Juan Ignacio Rubiolo, and the director of public relations, Madelka McCalla.
Participating for the Dominican Republic were Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta, Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero and the executive vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), Rubén Jiménez Bichara.
President Danilo Medina was in New York to participate in the 73rd UN General Assembly. President Medina flew back to Santo Domingo on Wednesday, 26 September 2018.
AES is the largest US investor in the Dominican Republic, and the sole operator of natural gas fired power plants. It also has the country’s only LNG import terminal. In 2014, the company had expressed its interest in creating a LNG hub for servicing the rest of the Caribbean from the Dominican Republic. AES plants are among the lowest cost plants in the country. The company began operations in 1997, at a time when the country relied solely on petroleum fuels such as heavy oil, gasoline, and diesel for thermal generation.
The meeting with Gluski in New York comes after it is known that a Chinese government entity signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a 1,200MW natural gas power complex in Montecristi, in the area of the Manzanillo Port on the northwest. The AES power plant is located on the south coast. The Chinese-proposed project also encompasses the construction of the natural gas terminals as well as transmission and distribution systems from the power plant to the national power grid. China Huayang Economic and Trade Group signed the MOU with the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) on 5 July 2018.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...-con-presidente-aes-corporation-andres-gluski
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/172577-DR1-Daily-News-Thursday-19-July-2018
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-113hhrg88831/html/CHRG-113hhrg88831.htm
Illiteracy target nearly met
The National Literacy Plan “Quisqueya Learns With You” has announced the steps to follow for the declaration that the Dominican Republic is free of illiteracy in November 2019. In reality, the country’s illiteracy rate is currently 6.8% and to achieve the goal of less than 5% around 80,000 people still need to be taught to read and write.
In order to meet this goal, 30 municipalities have been selected who will have the largest effect on reducing the national rate of illiteracy due to their large populations. Among the municipalities chosen for the program are Santo Domingo, Santiago, San Cristóbal, Azua, Puerto Plata, El Seibo and Yaguate. Facilitators and coordinators are being selected for the chosen areas.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...pais-estara-libre-de-analfabetismo-PO10876081
Dominican Republic has around 8.9 million mobile lines
According to the telecommunications watchdog Indotel, the Dominican Republic reached 8.9 million mobile lines at the end of July. Around 76% of the lines were prepaid lines and the remaining 24% were post-pay.
Claro (America Movil) continuing as market leader thanks to 4.89 million lines that represents a 55% share. Altice followed with 3.46 million lines and a 39% market share, with Viva accounting for the remaining 539,520 lines.
https://www.telecompaper.com/news/dominican-republic-up-to-89-mln-mobile-lines--1261914
Deputies push for sign-language instruction and scholarships for the diaspora
The Chamber of Deputies introduced urgent legislation and passed a proposal that would regulate the teaching of sign language for the deaf as well as the braille system for the blind in the Dominican Republic. This initiative by deputy Tobias Crespo calls for the Ministry of Higher Education (MESCYT) to promote training of sign language interpreters and to provide for the trained personnel to be utilized in the public education system to assist hearing-impaired students.
The legislation also obliges government institutions to use auditory and visual signs for these special individuals. The legislation now goes to the Senate for approval.
The deputies also passed legislation that enables Dominicans living abroad to opt for scholarships from the (MESCYT).
http://eldia.com.do/diputados-aprueban-ley-para-lenguaje-de-senas/
Bill to ban alcohol sales in fuel stations
Deputy Carlos Amarante García (Espaillat-PLD), son of former Minister of Interior and Police Carlos Amarante Baret, submitted a bill that would penalize the selling of alcohol on the premises of fuel stations, including their food shops. The bill highlights that drunk driving has caused a high percentage of traffic accidents, resulting in deaths, incapacities and property damage.
The bill establishes that the Ministry of Interior and Police temporarily be empowered to shut down the fuel stations until a final decision is taken by a judge. A specialized alcoholic beverages prosecution service would be created to implement the provisions.
After the passing of the law, fuel stations are given one year to stop the sale of alcoholic beverages from their premises.
http://sil.camaradediputados.gob.do:8095/ReportesGenerales/VerDocumento2?documentoId=81480
More fake PNRE IDs seized
The Migration Agency (DGM) reported another 1,603 fake National Foreigner Status Legalization Plan (PNRE) IDs have been seized. The documents were sold to foreigners who illegally reside in the Dominican Republic so that these individuals could pass for legal residents.
The DGM inspectors can now connect to the central database using biometric readers to verify the cards. The DGM said the individuals caught in the operation will be deported.
The cards were seized in DGM operations in Santiago, Dajabón, Pedernales and Independencia provinces. Migration inspectors also seized adulterated Dominican and Haitian passports, and expired residency and student permits.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...as-de-mil-carnes-y-otros-documentos-alterados
Conatra and Fenatrano transport strike
Transport unions Conatra and Fenatrano announce their units will not be in service on Thursday, 27 September 2018, as they protest high prices of fuel. The unions demand that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce reduce prices of regular diesel now at RD$193.80 to RD$103 and regular gasoline from RD$230.20 to RD$156. The transporters also are calling for propane gas to drop from RD$127.60 at present to RD$65.
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado/2018/09/25/hubieres-dice-paro-ayer-fue-calentamiento.html
Santo Domingo transport study findings show areas for improvement
Inhabitants in Greater Santo Domingo have an average commute to work of one hour and fifteen minutes at a cost of RD$55 per trip, according to the results of a recent mobility study conducted by experts from the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD) for the National Traffic and Ground Transport Institute (Intrant). The study also revealed the traffic accounts for 20% of total CO2 emissions in the country which is the equivalent of about 428 kilograms of CO2 a year; or 128 grams of CO2 per traveler.
The researchers say that while the mass transport system of Greater Santo Domingo is efficient, it is operating at peak, with main corridors already saturated at peak hours. There is saturation on Metro Line 1, between stations Peña Gómez in Villa Mella and Juan Pablo Duarte (John F. Kennedy and Máximo Gómez avenues).
"There are high demand radial corridors without mass transport, including the corridors of Los Alcarrizos, Independencia, México, Avenida Ecológica and Mella. In addition road network restricted by bridges, very narrow secondary network, lack of regulation and congestion in the primary network, " highlights the study.
The study recommends implementing road education program for citizens and improved inter-institutional coordination. The study highlights a strong relationship between school schedules and congestion and lack of proper order on city streets where improvised parking and other inconveniences tie-up traffic.
The study determined that 36% of people living in Greater Santo Domingo use public transport. This is broken down to 9% that use the Metro, 14% multi-fare taxis or conchos (16,275 units), and 13% minibuses or buses. Another 42% use private vehicles and 21% get around on foot. The findings are from a survey of 4,300 households in Greater Santo Domingo by the consulting firm Systra Internacional, covering the National District, Santo Domingo North, East and West and Los Alcarrizos.
71% of people that get around in Greater Santo Domingo do so for studies or work.
The study revealed that private transport is 42% of the mobility, private vehicle is 32%, motorcycle travel is 3%, mototaxis (motoconcho) is 3% and Uber-Taxi is 2%. Less than 1% gets around by bicycle.
The inter-municipality transport is 70% with transfers primarily between the National District, Santo Domingo North and Los Alcarrizos. In Santo Domingo East and West mobility is less at 60 and 65%.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...elan-corredores-estan-saturados-en-horas-pico
Promoting green roofs
Unibe University is developing the Green Roof Lab project that proposes the use of rooftops as an environmental sustainable adaptation mechanism for the mitigation of effects of climate change, flooding rains and prolonged drought in the Dominican Republic. The green roofs can replicate a natural environmental and increase water-holding capacity, stabilize micro environments that reduce temperatures. In an urban environment, green roofs have been known to be a sustainable solution to abate urban water runoff quantity, by essentially recycling rainwater, and reducing the heated island effect.
The local green roof initiative was begun in 2012, as part of the National Fund for Innovation and Scientific and Technological Development (Fondocyt) and the efforts of the Unibe University. The project has installed a series of slabs covered by crops that require minimum human intervention. The effects of the green roof technologies on temperature, runoff and other variables are being measured. Engineering and architecture students are participating in the program, as explained by environmental expert Ana Sofia Ovalle, professor at Unibe, who also works as technical advisor at the GIZ German Development Agency in Santo Domingo.
https://listindiario.com/la-vida/20...roof-lab-solucion-sostenible-de-investigacion
Pineapple production increases
According to the director of the Special Fund for Agriculture Development (FEDA), Casimiro Ramos, the production of pineapples has increased from 97 million units for each of the last few years to 200 million this year. He said that in 2012 the exports of pineapples reached around US$2.5 million and production now stands at US$10 million.
He went on to say that FEDA had around 400 producers who had received RD$189 million from the surprise visits of President Danilo Median La Cueva de Cevicos, in Sánchez Ramírez and the area of Monte Plata.
Ramos was speaking at the Pineapple Congress held in a hotel in Santo Domingo. He said that following orders from President Medina some 10 million pineapple plants were imported from Costa Rica and this had contributed to the increase in production.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...aumenta-en-la-republica-dominicana-JO10874915
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...can-evitar-la-venta-de-alcohol-en-gasolineras
Ines Aizpún recognized with Corripio Award
Managing editor at Diario Libre, Ines Aizpún was honored with the Corripio Foundation Communication Award announced on Wednesday, 26 September 2018. She is best known for her editorials in the newspaper.
Other winners of the RD$1 million cash awards are Freddie Cabral, sculpture; Jose Joaquin Puello, neurological sciences; and Jaime de Jesus Domínguez, historiography.
Also receiving award money were the Fundacion St. June, the Fundación Amor y Paz and the Escuelas Vocacionales de las Fuerzas Armadas y la Policia Nacional.
The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, 9 October 2018 at the National Theater at 7pm.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-trayectoria-de-fundacion-corripio-FA10895077
Man builds enormous sign to ask forgiveness to his girlfriend
The story of a young man, identified as Josué, asking his girlfriend for forgiveness went viral on Tuesday, 25 September 2018. The man on Tuesday went up to the roof of centrally-located Unicentro Plaza on Av. Abraham Lincoln and Av. 27 de Febrero and hung down from the roof an enormous sign asking Martina to forgive him. The video shows him on the top of the roof asking forgiveness, and the sign read: “Forgive me, Martina, I love you!”
http://elnacional.com.do/video-hombre-sube-azote-unicentro-plaza-y-pide-perdon-a-novia/
Expo Cibao 2018 in Santiago
The Chamber of Commerce of Santiago is hosting the annual industry and business exhibition in the Central Park of Santiago from Wednesday, 26 September through Sunday, 30 September. The fair highlights primarily goods made in Santiago.
Chamber of Commerce president, Marco Cabral, in his speech to inaugurate the event, called for a cultural change in the Dominican Republic. “That breaking laws and regulations not be the national sport; let’s leave that to our winter baseball players,” he said upon inaugurating the 31st Santiago fair. “We share the opinions of those who say that to export we have to be competitive and to be competitive we need transcendental changes for an effective judicial system where the law is applied to all,” he stated.
He said that tax exemptions should be monitored so that these have a positive impact on the Dominican economy. Cabral also referred to ground transport, which he said is the most expensive in the region. He called for real solutions to the bottleneck that threatens both cargo and passenger transport. He also said the labor code needs to be adapted to the 21st century, highlighting duplicities that create heavy burdens for companies.
http://hoy.com.do/camara-comercio-santiago-inaugura-expo-cibao-2018/
Marlon Martínez admits his guilt in Emely Peguero murder case
Speaking during the hearing of then 16-year old teenager Emely Peguero murder case, the 20-year old admitted to his participation in an abortion that turned into involuntary homicide, but at the same time acquitted his mother. He said he and Emely were scared of how the father of Emely would take the pregnancy.
Prosecutors seek a 30-year sentence for Marlon, and a 20-year sentence for complicity for his mother, Marlin Martínez.
What is known is that Peguero went missing on 19 August 2017 in her hometown of Cenoví in Duarte province. Her body was found on 31 August in a suitcase alongside the La Guama road in Cayetano Germosén, Espaillat province. The abortion and murder from a blow, as ascertained in the autopsy, would be committed at the home of Marlon and his mother Marlin Martínez.
The next hearing is scheduled for 4 October 2018.
https://www.diariolibre.com/portada...n-al-aborto-para-una-condena-menor-MA10890185
https://remolacha.net/2018/09/el-momento-mas-dramatico-del-testimonio-de-marlon-martinez/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXhqGO_oGCo
Dominicans take to social media to protest sexual abuse
The case of radio host Pablo Ross has revved up memories of past sexual abuse and feminicides that have been heard in the Dominican judiciary. Fellow radio host Melton Pineda was criticized for his remarks on female attire, and others took the opportunity to criticize the Dominican Baseball League naming the next Dominican Baseball Championship to honor long-running president of the league, Leonardo Matos Berrido, who some 36 years ago was acquitted in the murder case of Edith Gomez.
Communicator Susana Gautreau said that machismo is an ideology here and mentioned several cases: “Los Melton, Los Pablo Ross, Los Matos Berridos, Los Gabriel Villanueva, Los Donni Santana, Los Odalis Ledesma, los Bernardo Aleman are among us with their machista mentality and attitude. They are people that have been investigated and that have public profiles.”
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...on-pineda-y-leonardo-matos-berrido-AA10895104
https://remolacha.net/2018/09/leonardo-matos-berrido-y-el-asesinato-a-su-ex-esposa/#more-427743
The pedophile case of Fray Miguel Florenzan
The case for sexual abuse against Fray Miguel Florenzan, director of the Colegio Agustiano in La Vega, continues to be heard in a La Vega court. The school is one of the better private schools in La Vega.
20-year old Victor Mañón Arias has come front to accuse the very influential priest. When Mañón was 11 years old his father died and his mother sought refuge in the priest of the Catholic school to help her son survive his loss. He was in sixth grade.
“He took advantage of the vulnerability of my son,” says his mother. She said he trusted the priest who named him altar boy. She declared her son was raped when he was 16 years old in the school. But when in January 2015 he traveled to a Agustiano school trip he was again raped in a hotel room. Mañón then would tell on Florenzan to the youth ministry representative.
The prosecutors said that the coordinator of the youth ministry at the time, Leidy Lespin Tapia, became aware of the sexual abuse during a school trip to Argentina. Reportedly, she confronted the priest who she says admitted to what had happened. Lespin would then resign the position, says the prosecution. Mañón’s mother, Bella Ilonka Arias, said everyone in the school was aware but the sexual abuse was hidden from her.
When Mañón returned to the school, he said he sought help from the school psychologist, who instead accused him of being responsible for the sexual abuse.
When her son went to live in the United States, she received a letter from him telling about how he was sexually abused. Victor Mañon took his case to Instagram and received the courage to denounce his case that was taken up by the La Vega prosecutors.
Other victims have come forth, around 20 persons, but these are under of pressure to not serve as witnesses to the actions of the former school director.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu9cYqVsn5g
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/justicia/sacerdote-abusaba-de-menor-en-el-colegio-LB10889103
Santo Domingo Tennis Open
Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay (ATP ranking 68, career high 21) and Argentinean Guido Andreozzi (ATP ranking 98, career high 97) are coming for the Santo Domingo Open 2018.
Playing for the Dominican Republic will be Victor Estrella (ATP ranking 304, career high 43), Jose Hernandez (ATP ranking 270, career high 179) and Roberto Cid (ATP ranking 241, career high 241).
The championship will be played on the clay courts of the Santo Domingo Tenis Club (La Bocha) from 6 to 13 October. The winners are competing for US$125,000 in prize money.
Aramis Camilo celebrates 35 years singing merengues
Merengue singer Aramis Camilo will be celebrating his 35 year career with a concert at the Hard Rock Café on 30 November 2018. Camilo had recently signed with Muzik Connection Records. “El Retorno del Don” is the name of the concert. Camilo will be accompanied by the Organización Secreta. Camilo had been living in New York City and now is relocating to the Dominican Republic.
He will be singing his hits: Merengues como Nena, El tente, El motor, Llévame contigo, Señorita, Si me dejas hoy, Te quise tanto, Si la ven, Ellas, Hello, El alicate, El repollo, El candado, Susana, La varita, Pena de hombre, Qué cuerpo, A que lloro, Laura, Caballito frenao and many more at the Hard Rock Café.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/09...oncierto-rd-para-celebrar-35-anos-de-carrera/
PJ Masks at the National Theater
PJ Masks, the live performance of the animated children's television series produced by Entertainment One, Frog Box, and TeamTO, is booked for presentations at the National Theater on Friday, 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October 2018. The children’s show has been unusually assigned the Carlos Piantini Hall of the National Theater. The series is based on the Les Pyjamasques book and has been shown on Disney Channel, Disney Junior since September 2015.
Edanco Festival at Palacio de Bellas Artes
The 2018 International Contemporary Dance Festival (Edanco) is taking place at venues in the Colonial City, organized by Edmundo Poy. Martinique is the guest country with five contemporary dance companies that have come for the event. 11 countries are sending dance companies. Admission is RD$200.
Overall, Edanco 2018 is 24 performances during the two-week event, set for Monday, 24 September to Sunday, 7 October 2018. Edanco opened at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Santo Domingo, with other events at the Mamey Librería Café and Quinta Dominica, the two latter in the Colonial City.
The festival also includes dance workshops, including one by Flexx Vaillant of Martinica on AFrohouse on 23 September from 10am to 12pm.
The Martinique presentations continue on 28 September and 1 October at 8:30pm at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Coming are: Cie Christiane Emmanuel, Art/Fact Company, Murmure Du Silence and La Cie Yonn De Moun. The opening gala is on Tuesday, 25 September when the dance company Christiane Emmanuel takes the stage at Bellas Artes.
Other dance companies are Daniel Abreu (Spain) on Thursday, 27 September at 8:30pm at the Palacio de Bellas Artes; Siga (South Korea) at 6:30pm and 8:30pm, also at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. And the Cardell Dance Theater (United States) on Thursday, 4 October and Friday, 5 October, and on Saturday, 6 October at 5:30pm at the Galeria Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Dance companies from Canada, Colombia Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States and Venezuela are participating.
There will be several performances by the Ballet Nacional Domincano, the National Dance School, and local independent groups and private academies.
https://www.facebook.com/MWDanceProject/photos/pcb.1918917501735483/1918914928402407/?type=3&theater