Over RD$100 billion will circulate in December
Minerd and Peace Corps sign MoU to boost education
Defense Minister: Soldiers did their job in Dr. Pedro Ureña kidnapping case
Haiti and Dominican military meet on border security
US donates a speed boat to help fight drug trafficking
Council rejects division of Santiago
Manatee rescued in Luperon was dehydrated
Wind power comes to Puerto Plata with Chinese help
Asonahores rejects 18-floor high rise in Macao, Punta Cana
Supreme Court announces investigation of real estate jurisdiction
Rains improve water level at Tavera Dam
FALPO announces support of strike on 27 November
Pedro Silverio Alvarez: Reading between the lines of the National Budget Bill
Another dies driving a Porsche
Dominican movie on wrestler Jack Veneno wins prize in Sydney, Australia
Winter Professional Baseball update
Over RD$100 billion will circulate in December
Economist Antonio Ciriaco, assistant dean of the School of Economics at the state university, UASD, estimates RD$100 billion will be circulating this December 2018, when the Christmas bonus comes bundled with the December salary. The Christmas bonus is at least a monthly wage that is paid to government employees, private sector employees and even those working in the informal sector.
The government alone will be paying RD$17 billion plus a similar amount in Christmas bonus to employees this December. The government’s portion of the Christmas bonus has increased from RD$12.4 billion in 2016 to RD $17.0 billion in 2018.
Ciriaco says its estimates are based on Social Security Treasury numbers, the low inflation rate and the amount of money that circulated last year during the Christmas season. The Social Security Treasury received RD$83.3 billion in September 2018.
Private sector employees are estimated to receive around RD$28 billion for their Christmas bonus along with their normal salaries.
Although the informal sector is not registered under the Social Security Treasury, it is estimated that some RD$38 billion circulates in that sector taking into account that this sector employs 58% of the working population, according to the economist. This means that there are more than 2 million persons receiving a salary that are not registered in the TSS system, according to Ciriaco’s comments to El Día.
Economist Pavel Isa Condé explained that the economic growth in December is, of course, seasonal with money in circulation much higher because the demand for money also increases. However, in the month of January, the Central Bank stabilizes the economy in order to avoid excessive money in circulation.
The private sector begins paying the Christmas bonus to employees between the 10 and 15 of December, according to the executive vice president of the Dominican Republic Association of Industries (AIRD), Circe Almanzar.. The Labor Code says that the Christmas bonus must be paid by 20 December.
http://eldia.com.do/en-diciembre-circularan-mas-de-rd100-mil-millones-en-salarios/
Minerd and Peace Corps sign MoU to boost education
Education Minister Andres Navarro and director of the US Peace Corps, Kristin Kaper signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in developing programs and projects aimed at strengthening the public policies implemented by the Ministry of Education, particularly the training and development of teachers, the curriculum by competencies and efficiency and sustainability of the management of educational centers.
The MoU was signed at the Peace Corps headquarters in Santo Domingo.
https://elnacional.com.do/ministro-...z-de-eeuu-para-llevar-voluntarios-a-escuelas/
Defense Minister: Soldiers did their job in Dr. Pedro Ureña kidnapping case
The recent ambush of a group of doctors and friends along the International Highway between the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti by a mob of Haitians wielding knives and machetes on Saturday, 10 November was the trending topic then. But media in the Dominican Republic was all a-buzz again on the subject after on Friday, 16 November 2018, Defense Minister Rubén Paulino Sem went public with a statement that the two Dominican military that held M16 rifles and watched had acted correctly.
The physicians were on an adventure tour, traveling on the south-north border of the country by motorcycle. Leading heart specialist Dr. Pedro Ureña went public to tell of the kidnapping.
Paulino Sem, nevertheless, said that the military acted correctly. “Our soldiers did their job, they acted correctly in this case and if you care to notes none of the doctors suffered even a scratch.” As revealed on YouTube video online, the military said they couldn’t do anything and instead stood watching as the mob of Haitians impeded Dominicans to continue on the Carretera Internacional and took their possessions.
As reported by Dr. Ureña, the Dominican group of three physicians and four friends were unharmed because they were advised by others that had been retained before them to pass themselves off as Americans and they would be let go as happened. The Dominicans who were kept by the Haitians urged them to report what was happening so they could also go free.
Defense Minister Paulino made the comment of the correct proceeding by the military after he had time to review the situation. Dr. Ureña would respond on Twitter: "After seeing the statements of our minister, I would like to correct the record: thanks to our army for your brave defense of our group. I propose a medal to the demonstrated value and I urge all Dominicans to visit this so well protected area."
The incident and the military’s response have been interpreted as to the relatively inexistent security at the Dominican Republic – Haiti border. Incidents along the frontier have long been the cause of serious tensions between the two countries. The latest incident reveals that a mob attacked a trucker from Santiago who was shot and is currently being attended by doctors at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Milot in Haiti.
https://elnacional.com.do/ministro-...n-en-caso-de-atraco-a-medicos-en-la-frontera/
https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/11/16/541930/lluvia-de-criticas-al-ministro-de-defensa
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-de-motocicletas-a-especialistas-dominicanos
https://elnacional.com.do/ministro-...n-en-caso-de-atraco-a-medicos-en-la-frontera/
Haiti and Dominican military meet on border security
Military and police commanders from the Dominican Republic and Haiti reportedly met in Jimaní, Independencia province to discuss matters of goods and drugs smuggling, crime and border security. Political instability has increased in Haiti and there is concern of the impact on the Dominican side of the border.
Participating in the meeting were Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem and Police director Mayor General Ney Bautista Almonte. Also General Pablo Arturo Pujols, who is in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Police (Dicrim); General Franklin Vittini, who is the director of the Narcotics division at the Police (Dican); and regional police directors of the Police at the border. Also participating were Army General Estanislao Gonell Regalado, and Border Security director (Cesfront) Jose Manuel Duran Infante, among others.
For the Haitians, General Sadrac Saintil, chief of the Haitian Army, and General Michael Ange Gedeon participated.
Meanwhile, Budget director Luis Reyes says there is a special project to install surveillance cameras on the border for enhanced control. The plan calls for an increase in control posts and high tech security and establishes an allotment for RD$375 million.
https://elnacional.com.do/militares-rd-haiti-tratan-garantizar-seguridad-frontera/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...aiti-genera-incertidumbre-en-la-rd-DE11378478
US donates a speed boat to help fight drug trafficking
US Ambassador Robin Bernstein delivered on Thursday, 16 November 2018, a speedboat for drug interception operations at sea to Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem and vice admiral Emilio Recio Segura of the Dominican Armada. During the ceremony, she said the US has contributed US$13 million to the drug fight and organized crime. “Not only will we make contributions and donations of equipment to the Dominican armed forces, but we will also develop assistance and training programs for its members,” said Bernstein. She spoke of the commitment of the Dominican men at sea to the programs.
https://elnacional.com.do/estados-unidos-dona-equipos-y-lancha-a-la-armada/
Council rejects division of Santiago
The Council for the Strategic Development of Santiago said late last week that it rejects the legislative bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies that would create a new municipal district, Santiago Oeste, from the Santiago areas of Cienfuegos and El Ingenio.
Juan Carlos Ortiz, the president of the council, called the measure to further divide the territory of Santiago a “populist and party-oriented” maneuver. He said: “What is required is for a hierarchical order to be established to determine the public agenda, which in the first place must attend those projects that have been duly studied and are in line with existing legislation. To dedicate resources and efforts to break up Santiago can be considered a surprise attack on the city’s governance.”
Ortiz also laid out the fact that such a measure contradicts the commitment made in 2010 by all of the legislators of the province of Santiago in order to ensure the coherence to the Strategic Plan of Santiago 2020 as well as the integrity of the territory. He added that neither the general population nor the business sector that will be affected have been consulted nor opinions been taken into consideration. He said the territorial divide is not on the development agenda of the province.
Ortiz indicated that the breakup will lead to an unnecessary duplication of costs. He said a delegation of “Commitment Santiago” that includes the presidents of the Council for the Strategic Development of Santiago, the Association of Merchants and Industrialists of Santiago, the Association of Industries of the North Region, the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, the Association for the Development of Santiago, the Association of Free Zone Companies and the Santiago Free Zone Corporation have requested to meet with the legislators to explain the reasons for their opposition to the municipal division.
Likewise, Saul Abreu, executive director of the Santiago Development Association (Apedi) disputed that the creating of the new municipal district would ensure better representation for the areas. He said there are already mechanisms in place for citizen participation and the territorial division would just mean more taxes and would not bring anything positive to the citizens. He said if this is approved by the legislature, other areas would request the same.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...ico-rechaza-dividir-mas-a-santiago-EE11377232
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...se-oponen-en-santiago-a-que-fraccionen-ciudad
Manatee rescued in Luperon was dehydrated
The baby manatee that was rescued by personnel from the Ministry of Environment from a mangrove in Luperon Bay, up in Puerto Plata, showed signs of dehydration and has received special attention, according to technicians from the Ministry of Environment. The young female that only weighs about 130 pounds was rescued in just 3 feet of water. Technicians from the National Aquarium as well as the Ministry of the Environment are serving as “godparents and nannies” to the young mammal. According to the authorities there are no evident injuries, but the manatee is dehydrated. The veterinarians are providing supplements such as a specially-formulated milk designed for marine mammals and the mammal’s condition is stable.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-en-puerto-plata-esta-deshidratado-PE11377923
Wind power comes to Puerto Plata with Chinese help
A strategic alliance between the Dominican Jasper Caribbean Windpower LLC company, the maker of electricity wind generators, Vesta, of Denmark, the Unique Capital Management investment fund in the United States and the People’s Republic of China state–owned Chengdu Power Engineering Corporation (Power China) will enable the installation of 115 MB of wind-powered electricity in Maimon and Imbert, in the province of Puerto Plata with an investment of US$260 million. The announcement was made by José Pereyra Cordova, the president of Jasper in the Dominican Republic, in an interview with members of the Corripio media group. He was accompanied by Enrique de Marchena Kaluche, the legal advisor of Jasper.
De Marchena and Pereyra explained this would be the first time a Chinese state-owned company joins a private entity in the Dominican Republic for energy production. Pereyra Cordova said that the project comes from way back, and began in the community of El Cupey with the construction of a kilometer of highway to access the construction site and other investments carried out together between local and US companies.
The participation of the Chinese company, ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the 500 biggest energy companies in the world, had been blocked because the Dominican Republic did not have diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China. Chinese laws forbid their companies to do business with countries that do not have diplomatic relations with China.
According to the Jasper representative, they had been waiting for the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic.
The project to supply 110 megawatts of alternative wind energy, a US$150 million investment, had been announced in 2006 by the US firm of Jasper Caribbean Energy.
https://elnacional.com.do/haran-proyecto-con-participacion-china/
https://w3.windfair.net/wind-energy...ic-110-megawatts-wind-energy-for-puerto-plata
Asonahores rejects 18-floor high-rise in Macao, Punta Cana
The president of the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, Joel Santos says the leading tourism organization of the country rejects the green light authorities are giving to the construction of high rises in Punta Cana. The destination had successfully developed with a model of hotel and apartment construction under the height of a coconut tree, or no more than five floors. Santos said the low-density model that has turned Punta Cana into the most successful tourism destination in the Caribbean would be threatened by the authorization for high-rise construction.
The Presidency announced that President Danilo Medina would be at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Moon Palace Punta Cana, an 18-floor residential tower with access to Macao beach. This is a Mexican foreign investment. The high rise would be completed by 2021 at an estimated investment of US$500 million. The complex would have 2,149 rooms, of which 66% would have ocean view and 44% would look onto a golf course. The complex calls for the construction of a water park and nine swimming pools and would be built 500 meters from the beach line.
Gibran Chapur, executive vice president of the developer, Palaces Resorts and spokesman for the builders of the Moon Palace Punta Cana said that the reason why they are interested in investing in the country is because 35% of their clients, who are direct customers grouped in their vacation club, around one million, have asked for the Dominican Republic, which he described as a successful product.
Chapur defended the concept of vertical development, which has received opposition and criticism from Dominican hoteliers, and wondered why deny the sea view to their guests. "People do not go on vacation to look at their neighbor's room," he argued in an interview carried by Listin Diario.
Asonahores instead has disputed the amendments to the land use plan that would enable the construction of up to 22 floors in Macao.
Santos said that studies have not been carried out to back the argument of the developers that the construction of high rises on the eastern beach coastline would contribute to competitiveness of the tourism sector. He said a recent Gallup poll indicated that tourists visit the Dominican Republic find the low-rise resorts environmentally friendly. He said: "There is a study that shows how the construction of towers in Punta Cana would disfigure the typical Caribbean coastal landscape, a fundamental component of tourism in the islands."
He said most companies investing in hotel construction in the country have adhered to the norm of low-rise construction. There are over 40,000 low-rise hotel rooms in the area.
He said instead of promoting high-rise construction, what is most convenient is for the government to promote low-rise tourism development in other regions, such as Montecristi, Pedernales, Barahona, Baní, Nagua and Samana where there is sufficient area to double the present inventory of hotel rooms in the country. Asonahores called for the government to be open to talks as it has been in the past.
The Association of Hotels of the East (Asoleste) that groups hotel companies in the Punta Cana area has also rejected the construction of high rises arguing that the decision introduces changes that will affect the low rise/ low density model that has spurred the successful development of tourism in the Dominican Republic. It called for studies and technical research to validate changes to the present land use plan. The country’s sole high-rise destination, Juan Dolio, is the least successful in the country.
Asoleste considers that it is a mistake to change the low height and density model to build towers in the east, where the arrival of tourists has continued to increase and over the last six years the average annual growth has been widely exceeded.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...azo-sera-el-jueves-estaria-listo-para-el-2021
https://listindiario.com/economia/2018/11/19/542229/asonahores-rechazan-las-torres-en-punta-cana
Supreme Court announces investigation of real estate jurisdiction
The president of the Judicial Branch, Supreme Court of Justice chief judge Mariano German Mejia, said that an investigation into the 19 employees who have been suspended from the offices of the Real Estate Jurisdiction on accusations of issuing fraudulent real estate titles is underway.
Magistrate Germán Mejia said he did not want to go into the details. Extra-officially, it has been learned that the cause for the suspension of the employees was document forgery, trafficking in influence, and other crimes.
In a press release sent by the Supreme Court of Justice, the authorities said that they had charged the Administrative Disciplinary Commission to investigate the case. The Council of the Judicial Power said in the press release: “The commission will act without contemplation against those that cross the border of the Ethical Behavior Code as well as the Law of the Judicial Career….”
The case file was sent to the Justice Department in order to expand the investigations regarding the possible ramifications of the activity that is likely to involve persons outside of the Judicial Branch.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...so-de-la-jurisdiccion-inmobiliaria-DL11385868
Rains improve water level at Tavera Dam
The water level at the Tavera Dam, located between La Vega and Santiago, continues to rise as a result of the recent rains that have been falling in the Central Mountain Range. According to the Santiago Water and Sewer Corporation (Coraasan) and the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (Indrhi) the rains have steadily improved the situation recently described as “critical” by Coraasan officials.
Marino Abreu, the regional director for Indrhi told reporters from the Diario Libre that the water level at Tavera was at 319.70 m above sea level and had increased by 4cm in recent days. Abreu noted that if rains continue it is possible that Tavera will reach a level by the end of December that will allow the Indrhi to issue permits for rice farms to begin work. In order for this to happen the water level at the dam must reach 327.50 m above sea level.
The optimum water level will also make available reservoir water for human use, electricity production and agriculture.
Hector Jaquez, the operations manager for Coraasan, said that the agency has been able to gradually increase the water supply to different areas of the city. Coraasan is currently producing 116,000,000 gallons of water a day for human consumption.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/medioambiente/mejoran-niveles-de-la-presa-tavera-IL11385683
Falpo announces support of strike on 27 November
The government has reduced the price of unleaded gasoline RD$25 in the past five weeks, but Broad Front of Popular Struggles (Falpo) and the named National Strike Coordinator insist on calling for a 24-hour national strike on Tuesday, 27 November.
Israel Ramirez, the FALPO spokesperson, said the strike is called also to protest against government corruption, low salaries, impunity for corrupt officials, and the high cost of living.
The strike will affect the National District. The largest trucker association, Fenatrado and other organizations, said they are supporting the work stoppage.
Despite the weekly drops in fuel prices, Ramírez claimed last week: “We are issuing a call to the government so that they desist from the continued increases in the price of fuel and its derivatives. Also, we are protesting against the high cost of basic items.”
http://eldia.com.do/falpo-apoya-paro-el-martes-27-de-noviembre-contra-el-alza-de-los-combustibles/
Pedro Silverio Alvarez: Reading between the lines of the National Budget Bill
Former manager of the Central Bank, economist Pedro Silverio Alvarez writes in an op-ed piece in Diario Libre on how the 2019 National Budget worsens the situation of weak Dominican institutions. Silverio observes that the 2019 budget reproduces the same institutional weaknesses of previous budgets.
He says the bill highlights the irresponsibility of the political leadership that prefers to resolve problems in the easiest way, and not deal with the need to reform outdated special laws. He mentions as an example, that Article in the 2019 National Budget Bill authorizes the Executive Branch to adjust downward the percentages that laws in effect allot to the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the National Congress, the Judicial Branch, the Attorney General Office (PGR), the Chamber of Accounts, the UASD university, city governments, Ministry of Youth, National Council for Children and Teenagers (Conani), the Customs Agency (DGA) and the Tax Agency, and the Presidency (Arts. 32 and 33 of Law 423-06).
He also observes that Art. 26 of the 2019 National Budget authorizes the Executive Branch to modify Art. 6 of the Central Bank Recapitalization Law 167-07. Art. 53 of the budget bill authorizes the Executive Branch to determine the proportion of the public debt that will be issued in pesos and in dollars. Art. 59 authorizes the Executive Branch to sell shares or participation in public enterprises for up to US$150 billion without having to submit the project for congressional approval. The same article authorizes the Ministry of Hacienda to carry out amendments to the budget related to these operations.
Silverio says these inclusions in the 2019 National Budget Bill evidence institutional and quantitative fragility. He presents the example of how a chapter has been included named Reductions in Payables (Disminucion de Cuentas por Pagar). He says it is suspect that the account is to be used to disguise the real values of the fiscal deficit.
Silverio also criticizes that the government does not include a budgetary reserve chapter for public calamities. He said the chapter is not included for 2019 or for the following years. But then the government's solution is that the bill authorizes the Ministry of Hacienda to contract financing for the management of natural disasters for US$300 million. "This is a good example of how taking on public debt is always the easier solution, while not the most efficient."
Silverio concludes:
"The government has become accustomed in great measure to solve the problems by taking on more public debt. This creates other problems, potentially greater ones. As an example, five years ago the government dedicated around 36% of the tax revenues to cover the debt of the public debt. For 2019 it is estimated that the service of the public debt will use up around 47% of the tax revenues, even when tax revenues have been growing 15% on average every year. If that is sustainable, someone will have to explain," he concludes.
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/en-directo/fragilidad-presupuestaria-AL11381089
Another dies driving a Porsche
31-year old Aristides Rafael Rubio Ortiz died in a traffic accident on the San Pedro de Macorís-Santo Domingo highway, as reported on Friday, 16 November 2018. He died when his vehicle slid off one of the highway overpasses.
The Listin Diario reported he was a noted law professional. He had graduated in law magna cum laude from Unibe in 2009, and later completed a master’s at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain. He also studied at the Universidad de Alcalá in Henares, Spain, and the London Business School, and Barna Business School in Santo Domingo. He had worked at several local law and banking firms, and is cofounder of eCompany that offers legal services online. At the time of his death, he was legal consultant at the law firm OMG. He leaves behind his wife and daughter.
https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/11/16/541945/joven-profesional-muere-en-accidente
Dominican movie on wrestler Jack Veneno wins prize in Sydney, Australia
The Dominican film on the life of Jack Veneno (Jack Poison) and his career-long rivalry with “Relampago” Hernandez (Lightning) has just won the Best Cinematography Award at the Sydney Indiefest Film Festival. Tabaré Blanchard, the director, gave the good news to the Diario Libre.
The movie re-creates a life of the outstanding Dominican professional wrestler Jack Veneno, who garnered national attention for nearly 30 years. The film features well-known Dominican actor Manny Perez, and features stars such as Pepe Sierra, Richard Douglas, Mario Nuñez, Ovandy Camilo, Jaime Piña, Riccardo Bardelino, Yamile Scheker, Hector Anibal and Xiomara Rodriguez.
In August 2018, Blanchard’s film won the statuettes at the La Silla Awards that was organized by the Dominican Association of Film Professionals at which time it took 15 of the 17 nominations it had received.
http://sydneyindiefilmfestival.com/...lm-festival-2018-award-winners-feature-films/
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...na-veneno-gana-premio-en-australia-JE11377187
Winter Professional Baseball update
The Estrellas Orientales are alone in the first place of the Dominican Professional Winter Baseball Championship with 16 games won and 13 losses. Weekend games put the Leones del Escogido in third place with record of 15-14; the Gigantes in third place with 14-14, The Tigres del Licey and the Aguilas Cibaeñas are tied for the fourth place with 14 wins and 15 losses. The Toros del Este, are close by with a record of 13-15. The regular season is now at half mark.
See the games schedule at:
http://www.lidom.com/home/calendario/
Minerd and Peace Corps sign MoU to boost education
Defense Minister: Soldiers did their job in Dr. Pedro Ureña kidnapping case
Haiti and Dominican military meet on border security
US donates a speed boat to help fight drug trafficking
Council rejects division of Santiago
Manatee rescued in Luperon was dehydrated
Wind power comes to Puerto Plata with Chinese help
Asonahores rejects 18-floor high rise in Macao, Punta Cana
Supreme Court announces investigation of real estate jurisdiction
Rains improve water level at Tavera Dam
FALPO announces support of strike on 27 November
Pedro Silverio Alvarez: Reading between the lines of the National Budget Bill
Another dies driving a Porsche
Dominican movie on wrestler Jack Veneno wins prize in Sydney, Australia
Winter Professional Baseball update
Over RD$100 billion will circulate in December
Economist Antonio Ciriaco, assistant dean of the School of Economics at the state university, UASD, estimates RD$100 billion will be circulating this December 2018, when the Christmas bonus comes bundled with the December salary. The Christmas bonus is at least a monthly wage that is paid to government employees, private sector employees and even those working in the informal sector.
The government alone will be paying RD$17 billion plus a similar amount in Christmas bonus to employees this December. The government’s portion of the Christmas bonus has increased from RD$12.4 billion in 2016 to RD $17.0 billion in 2018.
Ciriaco says its estimates are based on Social Security Treasury numbers, the low inflation rate and the amount of money that circulated last year during the Christmas season. The Social Security Treasury received RD$83.3 billion in September 2018.
Private sector employees are estimated to receive around RD$28 billion for their Christmas bonus along with their normal salaries.
Although the informal sector is not registered under the Social Security Treasury, it is estimated that some RD$38 billion circulates in that sector taking into account that this sector employs 58% of the working population, according to the economist. This means that there are more than 2 million persons receiving a salary that are not registered in the TSS system, according to Ciriaco’s comments to El Día.
Economist Pavel Isa Condé explained that the economic growth in December is, of course, seasonal with money in circulation much higher because the demand for money also increases. However, in the month of January, the Central Bank stabilizes the economy in order to avoid excessive money in circulation.
The private sector begins paying the Christmas bonus to employees between the 10 and 15 of December, according to the executive vice president of the Dominican Republic Association of Industries (AIRD), Circe Almanzar.. The Labor Code says that the Christmas bonus must be paid by 20 December.
http://eldia.com.do/en-diciembre-circularan-mas-de-rd100-mil-millones-en-salarios/
Minerd and Peace Corps sign MoU to boost education
Education Minister Andres Navarro and director of the US Peace Corps, Kristin Kaper signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in developing programs and projects aimed at strengthening the public policies implemented by the Ministry of Education, particularly the training and development of teachers, the curriculum by competencies and efficiency and sustainability of the management of educational centers.
The MoU was signed at the Peace Corps headquarters in Santo Domingo.
https://elnacional.com.do/ministro-...z-de-eeuu-para-llevar-voluntarios-a-escuelas/
Defense Minister: Soldiers did their job in Dr. Pedro Ureña kidnapping case
The recent ambush of a group of doctors and friends along the International Highway between the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti by a mob of Haitians wielding knives and machetes on Saturday, 10 November was the trending topic then. But media in the Dominican Republic was all a-buzz again on the subject after on Friday, 16 November 2018, Defense Minister Rubén Paulino Sem went public with a statement that the two Dominican military that held M16 rifles and watched had acted correctly.
The physicians were on an adventure tour, traveling on the south-north border of the country by motorcycle. Leading heart specialist Dr. Pedro Ureña went public to tell of the kidnapping.
Paulino Sem, nevertheless, said that the military acted correctly. “Our soldiers did their job, they acted correctly in this case and if you care to notes none of the doctors suffered even a scratch.” As revealed on YouTube video online, the military said they couldn’t do anything and instead stood watching as the mob of Haitians impeded Dominicans to continue on the Carretera Internacional and took their possessions.
As reported by Dr. Ureña, the Dominican group of three physicians and four friends were unharmed because they were advised by others that had been retained before them to pass themselves off as Americans and they would be let go as happened. The Dominicans who were kept by the Haitians urged them to report what was happening so they could also go free.
Defense Minister Paulino made the comment of the correct proceeding by the military after he had time to review the situation. Dr. Ureña would respond on Twitter: "After seeing the statements of our minister, I would like to correct the record: thanks to our army for your brave defense of our group. I propose a medal to the demonstrated value and I urge all Dominicans to visit this so well protected area."
The incident and the military’s response have been interpreted as to the relatively inexistent security at the Dominican Republic – Haiti border. Incidents along the frontier have long been the cause of serious tensions between the two countries. The latest incident reveals that a mob attacked a trucker from Santiago who was shot and is currently being attended by doctors at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Milot in Haiti.
https://elnacional.com.do/ministro-...n-en-caso-de-atraco-a-medicos-en-la-frontera/
https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/11/16/541930/lluvia-de-criticas-al-ministro-de-defensa
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-de-motocicletas-a-especialistas-dominicanos
https://elnacional.com.do/ministro-...n-en-caso-de-atraco-a-medicos-en-la-frontera/
Haiti and Dominican military meet on border security
Military and police commanders from the Dominican Republic and Haiti reportedly met in Jimaní, Independencia province to discuss matters of goods and drugs smuggling, crime and border security. Political instability has increased in Haiti and there is concern of the impact on the Dominican side of the border.
Participating in the meeting were Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem and Police director Mayor General Ney Bautista Almonte. Also General Pablo Arturo Pujols, who is in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Police (Dicrim); General Franklin Vittini, who is the director of the Narcotics division at the Police (Dican); and regional police directors of the Police at the border. Also participating were Army General Estanislao Gonell Regalado, and Border Security director (Cesfront) Jose Manuel Duran Infante, among others.
For the Haitians, General Sadrac Saintil, chief of the Haitian Army, and General Michael Ange Gedeon participated.
Meanwhile, Budget director Luis Reyes says there is a special project to install surveillance cameras on the border for enhanced control. The plan calls for an increase in control posts and high tech security and establishes an allotment for RD$375 million.
https://elnacional.com.do/militares-rd-haiti-tratan-garantizar-seguridad-frontera/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...aiti-genera-incertidumbre-en-la-rd-DE11378478
US donates a speed boat to help fight drug trafficking
US Ambassador Robin Bernstein delivered on Thursday, 16 November 2018, a speedboat for drug interception operations at sea to Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem and vice admiral Emilio Recio Segura of the Dominican Armada. During the ceremony, she said the US has contributed US$13 million to the drug fight and organized crime. “Not only will we make contributions and donations of equipment to the Dominican armed forces, but we will also develop assistance and training programs for its members,” said Bernstein. She spoke of the commitment of the Dominican men at sea to the programs.
https://elnacional.com.do/estados-unidos-dona-equipos-y-lancha-a-la-armada/
Council rejects division of Santiago
The Council for the Strategic Development of Santiago said late last week that it rejects the legislative bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies that would create a new municipal district, Santiago Oeste, from the Santiago areas of Cienfuegos and El Ingenio.
Juan Carlos Ortiz, the president of the council, called the measure to further divide the territory of Santiago a “populist and party-oriented” maneuver. He said: “What is required is for a hierarchical order to be established to determine the public agenda, which in the first place must attend those projects that have been duly studied and are in line with existing legislation. To dedicate resources and efforts to break up Santiago can be considered a surprise attack on the city’s governance.”
Ortiz also laid out the fact that such a measure contradicts the commitment made in 2010 by all of the legislators of the province of Santiago in order to ensure the coherence to the Strategic Plan of Santiago 2020 as well as the integrity of the territory. He added that neither the general population nor the business sector that will be affected have been consulted nor opinions been taken into consideration. He said the territorial divide is not on the development agenda of the province.
Ortiz indicated that the breakup will lead to an unnecessary duplication of costs. He said a delegation of “Commitment Santiago” that includes the presidents of the Council for the Strategic Development of Santiago, the Association of Merchants and Industrialists of Santiago, the Association of Industries of the North Region, the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, the Association for the Development of Santiago, the Association of Free Zone Companies and the Santiago Free Zone Corporation have requested to meet with the legislators to explain the reasons for their opposition to the municipal division.
Likewise, Saul Abreu, executive director of the Santiago Development Association (Apedi) disputed that the creating of the new municipal district would ensure better representation for the areas. He said there are already mechanisms in place for citizen participation and the territorial division would just mean more taxes and would not bring anything positive to the citizens. He said if this is approved by the legislature, other areas would request the same.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...ico-rechaza-dividir-mas-a-santiago-EE11377232
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...se-oponen-en-santiago-a-que-fraccionen-ciudad
Manatee rescued in Luperon was dehydrated
The baby manatee that was rescued by personnel from the Ministry of Environment from a mangrove in Luperon Bay, up in Puerto Plata, showed signs of dehydration and has received special attention, according to technicians from the Ministry of Environment. The young female that only weighs about 130 pounds was rescued in just 3 feet of water. Technicians from the National Aquarium as well as the Ministry of the Environment are serving as “godparents and nannies” to the young mammal. According to the authorities there are no evident injuries, but the manatee is dehydrated. The veterinarians are providing supplements such as a specially-formulated milk designed for marine mammals and the mammal’s condition is stable.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-en-puerto-plata-esta-deshidratado-PE11377923
Wind power comes to Puerto Plata with Chinese help
A strategic alliance between the Dominican Jasper Caribbean Windpower LLC company, the maker of electricity wind generators, Vesta, of Denmark, the Unique Capital Management investment fund in the United States and the People’s Republic of China state–owned Chengdu Power Engineering Corporation (Power China) will enable the installation of 115 MB of wind-powered electricity in Maimon and Imbert, in the province of Puerto Plata with an investment of US$260 million. The announcement was made by José Pereyra Cordova, the president of Jasper in the Dominican Republic, in an interview with members of the Corripio media group. He was accompanied by Enrique de Marchena Kaluche, the legal advisor of Jasper.
De Marchena and Pereyra explained this would be the first time a Chinese state-owned company joins a private entity in the Dominican Republic for energy production. Pereyra Cordova said that the project comes from way back, and began in the community of El Cupey with the construction of a kilometer of highway to access the construction site and other investments carried out together between local and US companies.
The participation of the Chinese company, ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the 500 biggest energy companies in the world, had been blocked because the Dominican Republic did not have diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China. Chinese laws forbid their companies to do business with countries that do not have diplomatic relations with China.
According to the Jasper representative, they had been waiting for the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic.
The project to supply 110 megawatts of alternative wind energy, a US$150 million investment, had been announced in 2006 by the US firm of Jasper Caribbean Energy.
https://elnacional.com.do/haran-proyecto-con-participacion-china/
https://w3.windfair.net/wind-energy...ic-110-megawatts-wind-energy-for-puerto-plata
Asonahores rejects 18-floor high-rise in Macao, Punta Cana
The president of the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, Joel Santos says the leading tourism organization of the country rejects the green light authorities are giving to the construction of high rises in Punta Cana. The destination had successfully developed with a model of hotel and apartment construction under the height of a coconut tree, or no more than five floors. Santos said the low-density model that has turned Punta Cana into the most successful tourism destination in the Caribbean would be threatened by the authorization for high-rise construction.
The Presidency announced that President Danilo Medina would be at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Moon Palace Punta Cana, an 18-floor residential tower with access to Macao beach. This is a Mexican foreign investment. The high rise would be completed by 2021 at an estimated investment of US$500 million. The complex would have 2,149 rooms, of which 66% would have ocean view and 44% would look onto a golf course. The complex calls for the construction of a water park and nine swimming pools and would be built 500 meters from the beach line.
Gibran Chapur, executive vice president of the developer, Palaces Resorts and spokesman for the builders of the Moon Palace Punta Cana said that the reason why they are interested in investing in the country is because 35% of their clients, who are direct customers grouped in their vacation club, around one million, have asked for the Dominican Republic, which he described as a successful product.
Chapur defended the concept of vertical development, which has received opposition and criticism from Dominican hoteliers, and wondered why deny the sea view to their guests. "People do not go on vacation to look at their neighbor's room," he argued in an interview carried by Listin Diario.
Asonahores instead has disputed the amendments to the land use plan that would enable the construction of up to 22 floors in Macao.
Santos said that studies have not been carried out to back the argument of the developers that the construction of high rises on the eastern beach coastline would contribute to competitiveness of the tourism sector. He said a recent Gallup poll indicated that tourists visit the Dominican Republic find the low-rise resorts environmentally friendly. He said: "There is a study that shows how the construction of towers in Punta Cana would disfigure the typical Caribbean coastal landscape, a fundamental component of tourism in the islands."
He said most companies investing in hotel construction in the country have adhered to the norm of low-rise construction. There are over 40,000 low-rise hotel rooms in the area.
He said instead of promoting high-rise construction, what is most convenient is for the government to promote low-rise tourism development in other regions, such as Montecristi, Pedernales, Barahona, Baní, Nagua and Samana where there is sufficient area to double the present inventory of hotel rooms in the country. Asonahores called for the government to be open to talks as it has been in the past.
The Association of Hotels of the East (Asoleste) that groups hotel companies in the Punta Cana area has also rejected the construction of high rises arguing that the decision introduces changes that will affect the low rise/ low density model that has spurred the successful development of tourism in the Dominican Republic. It called for studies and technical research to validate changes to the present land use plan. The country’s sole high-rise destination, Juan Dolio, is the least successful in the country.
Asoleste considers that it is a mistake to change the low height and density model to build towers in the east, where the arrival of tourists has continued to increase and over the last six years the average annual growth has been widely exceeded.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...azo-sera-el-jueves-estaria-listo-para-el-2021
https://listindiario.com/economia/2018/11/19/542229/asonahores-rechazan-las-torres-en-punta-cana
Supreme Court announces investigation of real estate jurisdiction
The president of the Judicial Branch, Supreme Court of Justice chief judge Mariano German Mejia, said that an investigation into the 19 employees who have been suspended from the offices of the Real Estate Jurisdiction on accusations of issuing fraudulent real estate titles is underway.
Magistrate Germán Mejia said he did not want to go into the details. Extra-officially, it has been learned that the cause for the suspension of the employees was document forgery, trafficking in influence, and other crimes.
In a press release sent by the Supreme Court of Justice, the authorities said that they had charged the Administrative Disciplinary Commission to investigate the case. The Council of the Judicial Power said in the press release: “The commission will act without contemplation against those that cross the border of the Ethical Behavior Code as well as the Law of the Judicial Career….”
The case file was sent to the Justice Department in order to expand the investigations regarding the possible ramifications of the activity that is likely to involve persons outside of the Judicial Branch.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...so-de-la-jurisdiccion-inmobiliaria-DL11385868
Rains improve water level at Tavera Dam
The water level at the Tavera Dam, located between La Vega and Santiago, continues to rise as a result of the recent rains that have been falling in the Central Mountain Range. According to the Santiago Water and Sewer Corporation (Coraasan) and the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (Indrhi) the rains have steadily improved the situation recently described as “critical” by Coraasan officials.
Marino Abreu, the regional director for Indrhi told reporters from the Diario Libre that the water level at Tavera was at 319.70 m above sea level and had increased by 4cm in recent days. Abreu noted that if rains continue it is possible that Tavera will reach a level by the end of December that will allow the Indrhi to issue permits for rice farms to begin work. In order for this to happen the water level at the dam must reach 327.50 m above sea level.
The optimum water level will also make available reservoir water for human use, electricity production and agriculture.
Hector Jaquez, the operations manager for Coraasan, said that the agency has been able to gradually increase the water supply to different areas of the city. Coraasan is currently producing 116,000,000 gallons of water a day for human consumption.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/medioambiente/mejoran-niveles-de-la-presa-tavera-IL11385683
Falpo announces support of strike on 27 November
The government has reduced the price of unleaded gasoline RD$25 in the past five weeks, but Broad Front of Popular Struggles (Falpo) and the named National Strike Coordinator insist on calling for a 24-hour national strike on Tuesday, 27 November.
Israel Ramirez, the FALPO spokesperson, said the strike is called also to protest against government corruption, low salaries, impunity for corrupt officials, and the high cost of living.
The strike will affect the National District. The largest trucker association, Fenatrado and other organizations, said they are supporting the work stoppage.
Despite the weekly drops in fuel prices, Ramírez claimed last week: “We are issuing a call to the government so that they desist from the continued increases in the price of fuel and its derivatives. Also, we are protesting against the high cost of basic items.”
http://eldia.com.do/falpo-apoya-paro-el-martes-27-de-noviembre-contra-el-alza-de-los-combustibles/
Pedro Silverio Alvarez: Reading between the lines of the National Budget Bill
Former manager of the Central Bank, economist Pedro Silverio Alvarez writes in an op-ed piece in Diario Libre on how the 2019 National Budget worsens the situation of weak Dominican institutions. Silverio observes that the 2019 budget reproduces the same institutional weaknesses of previous budgets.
He says the bill highlights the irresponsibility of the political leadership that prefers to resolve problems in the easiest way, and not deal with the need to reform outdated special laws. He mentions as an example, that Article in the 2019 National Budget Bill authorizes the Executive Branch to adjust downward the percentages that laws in effect allot to the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the National Congress, the Judicial Branch, the Attorney General Office (PGR), the Chamber of Accounts, the UASD university, city governments, Ministry of Youth, National Council for Children and Teenagers (Conani), the Customs Agency (DGA) and the Tax Agency, and the Presidency (Arts. 32 and 33 of Law 423-06).
He also observes that Art. 26 of the 2019 National Budget authorizes the Executive Branch to modify Art. 6 of the Central Bank Recapitalization Law 167-07. Art. 53 of the budget bill authorizes the Executive Branch to determine the proportion of the public debt that will be issued in pesos and in dollars. Art. 59 authorizes the Executive Branch to sell shares or participation in public enterprises for up to US$150 billion without having to submit the project for congressional approval. The same article authorizes the Ministry of Hacienda to carry out amendments to the budget related to these operations.
Silverio says these inclusions in the 2019 National Budget Bill evidence institutional and quantitative fragility. He presents the example of how a chapter has been included named Reductions in Payables (Disminucion de Cuentas por Pagar). He says it is suspect that the account is to be used to disguise the real values of the fiscal deficit.
Silverio also criticizes that the government does not include a budgetary reserve chapter for public calamities. He said the chapter is not included for 2019 or for the following years. But then the government's solution is that the bill authorizes the Ministry of Hacienda to contract financing for the management of natural disasters for US$300 million. "This is a good example of how taking on public debt is always the easier solution, while not the most efficient."
Silverio concludes:
"The government has become accustomed in great measure to solve the problems by taking on more public debt. This creates other problems, potentially greater ones. As an example, five years ago the government dedicated around 36% of the tax revenues to cover the debt of the public debt. For 2019 it is estimated that the service of the public debt will use up around 47% of the tax revenues, even when tax revenues have been growing 15% on average every year. If that is sustainable, someone will have to explain," he concludes.
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/en-directo/fragilidad-presupuestaria-AL11381089
Another dies driving a Porsche
31-year old Aristides Rafael Rubio Ortiz died in a traffic accident on the San Pedro de Macorís-Santo Domingo highway, as reported on Friday, 16 November 2018. He died when his vehicle slid off one of the highway overpasses.
The Listin Diario reported he was a noted law professional. He had graduated in law magna cum laude from Unibe in 2009, and later completed a master’s at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain. He also studied at the Universidad de Alcalá in Henares, Spain, and the London Business School, and Barna Business School in Santo Domingo. He had worked at several local law and banking firms, and is cofounder of eCompany that offers legal services online. At the time of his death, he was legal consultant at the law firm OMG. He leaves behind his wife and daughter.
https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/11/16/541945/joven-profesional-muere-en-accidente
Dominican movie on wrestler Jack Veneno wins prize in Sydney, Australia
The Dominican film on the life of Jack Veneno (Jack Poison) and his career-long rivalry with “Relampago” Hernandez (Lightning) has just won the Best Cinematography Award at the Sydney Indiefest Film Festival. Tabaré Blanchard, the director, gave the good news to the Diario Libre.
The movie re-creates a life of the outstanding Dominican professional wrestler Jack Veneno, who garnered national attention for nearly 30 years. The film features well-known Dominican actor Manny Perez, and features stars such as Pepe Sierra, Richard Douglas, Mario Nuñez, Ovandy Camilo, Jaime Piña, Riccardo Bardelino, Yamile Scheker, Hector Anibal and Xiomara Rodriguez.
In August 2018, Blanchard’s film won the statuettes at the La Silla Awards that was organized by the Dominican Association of Film Professionals at which time it took 15 of the 17 nominations it had received.
http://sydneyindiefilmfestival.com/...lm-festival-2018-award-winners-feature-films/
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...na-veneno-gana-premio-en-australia-JE11377187
Winter Professional Baseball update
The Estrellas Orientales are alone in the first place of the Dominican Professional Winter Baseball Championship with 16 games won and 13 losses. Weekend games put the Leones del Escogido in third place with record of 15-14; the Gigantes in third place with 14-14, The Tigres del Licey and the Aguilas Cibaeñas are tied for the fourth place with 14 wins and 15 losses. The Toros del Este, are close by with a record of 13-15. The regular season is now at half mark.
See the games schedule at:
http://www.lidom.com/home/calendario/