DR1 Daily News - Thursday, 29 November 2018

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DR1 Daily News next update on 3 December 2018
Roads improved in northwest
Chinese potential investors visit
Will the DR sign the Global Compact for Migration? The US pulled out
Grupo Jaragua highlights irregular deforestation of torchwood forests
Adoexpo recognizes best exporters 2018
Delinquent city governments want their social security debts erased
Should Anthony Rios be honored by Congress?
Embassy of Japan donates fire engine for Jarabacoa forest fires
DR was JetBlue’s Destination Good
Dominican skaters win gold in Panama Open
Dominican athletes residing in Puerto Rico hope to win December National Games
Bartolo Colon to pitch for the Aguilas at the Cibao Ballpark
MicroTeatro announces new short theater works
Do You Know the Milky Way at the National Theater
Costume to honor the Hawksbill sea turtle at Miss Universe 2018
Juan Luis Guerra and Vicente García at Hard Rock in Punta Cana on 1 December
Pavel Núñez concert at Hard Rock Live
Willie Colon celebrates 50 years playing salsa with concert in Santo Domingo



DR1 Daily News next update on 3 December 2018
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 3 December 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


Roads improved in northwest
The Ministry of Public Works reported the reconstruction of 96 kilometers of roads and sidewalks in three northwestern provinces. Deputy Public Works Minister Ramón Pepín said the roads are:
Monción-El Rubio (21 km), El Cacique-Los Quemados (5 km) in Santiago Rodríguez province. Mao-Guayubín (42km) in Valverde. And Mao to Esperanza in Montecristi (10 km) and Navarrete-Esperanza (11km) in Santiago and Valverde provinces. Works on sidewalks in northwestern cities were also carried out.

http://www.mopc.gob.do/noticias/gob...cción-de-varias-carreteras-en-línea-noroeste/


Chinese potential investors visit
The Dominican-China Chamber of Commerce and Investment announced meetings at the Radisson Hotel in Santo Domingo between a Chinese mission of 40 businesspeople that are here to explore business deals during a Economic Cooperation and Investment meeting between Hubei Province, China and the Dominican Republic. Jose Manuel Armenteros, of the Chamber of Commerce, said the visit is coordinated by the Council for the Promotion of International Commerce of the Province of Hubei. The talks are scheduled to begin on Thursday, 29 November 2018 at the Radisson.

The visiting company representatives are from the area of food products, automobile industry, construction materials, metallurgy, the chemical industry, electronics, and tourism.

http://eldia.com.do/delegacion-de-empresarios-chinos-visitara-la-republica-dominicana/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/empres...-reunion-de-negocios-e-inversion-esta-semana/


Will the DR sign the Global Compact for Migration? The US pulled out
The Dominican Republic authorities have not been available for comment on whether the country will sign the 2018 the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in during the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration scheduled to take place in Marrakesh, Morocco on the 10th and 11th of December. The Global Compact is being promoted as the link between migration and development policies.

Nevertheless, the United States, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic and Australia have said they will not sign the compact, citing that entering into the compact would create serious problems for their national security. The Dominican Republic has a major national security problem with migration pressures at the border with Haiti.

The agreement would commit the Dominican Republic to not return to their country of origin thousands of illegal migrants, aspiring refugees, long-term residents and laborers who at present do not qualify under the Dominican Migration Law. The Global Compact is due to be ratified by UN member states in December for its implementation beginning in 2019. It includes a compromise on return, readmission and reintegration of the illegal immigrants.

The Dominican Republic is at present the most affected country by the political and economic instability in neighboring Haiti. As per Dominican Migration Law, hundreds of thousands of undocumented Haitians have been provided with work permits.

In recent days, migration issues have been hotly debated in the country, including the government’s recent granting of residence to Cuban drug kingpin Willie Falcon. The pre-clearance US Customs agreement amendment that would oblige the country to admit to Dominican territory individuals arriving by air to Punta Cana who are not eligible to enter the United States. Both controversial matters have been requested by US agencies to the Dominican government.

The final draft can be read at:
https://migrationdataportal.org/sit...n Governance Snapshot- Dominican Republic.pdf
https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/sit...reed_outcome_global_compact_for_migration.pdf
https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/international-program/global-compact-migration
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1026791
http://www.un.org/en/conf/migration/


Grupo Jaragua highlights irregular deforestation of torchwood forests
Technicians from Grupo Jaragua, the leading southwestern environmental conservation group, accompanied Diario Libre reporter Marvin del Cid into the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve so he could see for himself the depredation ongoing in the important diversity reserve to the indifference of the Ministry of Environment and other local authorities responsible for the conservation of the protected area.

On 20 November, Del Cid and other Diario Libre reporters traveled to the area of El Limón, some 11 kilometers from the city of Jimaní in Independencia province, on the border of with Haiti. It took the group a half hour to cover the 5 KM path. The reporter made the trip to witness how the precious “guaconejo” or torchwood is being converted to charcoal by individuals in the region.

As reported, Haitian laborers do the work, but are directed by their Dominican bosses. Biologist Yolanda Leon of Grupo Jaragua pointed out to the reporter that the wood to be converted to charcoal was freshly cut. She explained that at times the wood is seized by the Ministry of Environment but that the same wood is later sold in an auction in Cabral to wood artisans or bought by traffickers who later will illegally smuggle it into Haiti.

Del Cid reports that community members are concerned for the deforestation ongoing in the Sierra de Neyba and Sierra de Bahoruco and how the rate of deforestation has been increasing in recent years. Del Cid was told by the community that in Los Rios and La Clavellina erosion is already affecting the lands. In the protected area of Las Caobas, there is no environmental protection, and there is intense guaconejo wood extraction in the protected tropical forest area.

Cid had already reported in May 2018 of his visit to the torchwood processing plant Domarome of Haitian Gueric Boucard who also has the company Texarome in Texas, US where he manufactures essential oils, especially cedar. Boucard had explained he purchased the torchwood for RD$6,000 to RD$8,250 the ton, but once in Haitian factories the cost of wood nearly doubles. He said he processed around four tons a day of the wood. From each ton, around 20 kilos of the essential oil is extracted.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...raccion-descontrolada-de-guaconejo-FF11503431
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG3yzcVnpp8
http://www.texarome.com/


Adoexpo recognizes best exporters 2018
Gerdau Metaldom won the Adoexpo Award for Excellence during the Dominican Association of Exporters end of year 32nd awards ceremony. The award was received by Gerdau Metaldom’s commercial director, José Miguel Vega.

Others receiving awards were Grupo Bocel for excellence in industrial exports and Baxter Healthcare in the duty free industrial free zone category. AMR Agro was awarded in the agriculture category and Caribbean Labs as the small business exporter and Agencias Navieras B&R for the private sector company category and the Customs Agency for the public sector. The awards were presented during the Gala Dinner of the Dominican Exporters at the Jaragua Renaissance on Tuesday, 27 November 2018.

Others recognized during the evening was Dominican ambassador to the United States, Jose Tomas Perez; Emilio Hungria of the Administrative Ministry of the Presidency, and Marcelo Salazar, director of foreign commerce division and international treaties (Dicoex) at the Ministry of Industry & Commerce.

The president of Adoexpo, Luis Concepción urged exporters to continue to strengthen the public-private alliances.


Delinquent city governments want their social security debts erased
Several city governments have accumulated a debt of more than RD$6 billion with the social security treasury and now are requesting amnesty in the form of an amendment in upcoming changes to Social Security Law 87-01. Among the city governments requesting debt relief is San Cristobal, that is in arrears for more than RD$1.2 billion with the TSS. The president of the Dominican Federation of Municipalities (Fedomu), Rafael Hidalgo, has said that this means that the city government employees have been excluded from pension plan system.

https://elnacional.com.do/ayuntamie...e-rd6-mil-millones-con-la-tss-piden-amnistia/


Should Anthony Rios be honored by Congress?
A prominent legislator does not feel Anthony Rios should be honored by Congress and the controversy has become a trending topic in the media. Ruling PLD party legislator Manuel Diaz spoke up recently sharing his opinion that Rios was undeserving of a congressional recognition, citing concerns about the artists personal life story. Rios has admitted that he has fathered 26 children, eighteen girls and eight boys with 24 different women.

The motion to honor Rios in Congress is to recognize Rios’ long and distinguished musical career spanning over 50 years. He is well known for his ballads, boleros, merengues and bachatas. He has many who have defended his worthiness for the recognition.

Singer Jackeline Estevez defended Rios saying that while he has had many children, neither have any of his partners or his children sued the artist. She said to honor the talented singer for his accomplishments during his impressive musical career should not be denied because his personal issues.

Award-winning contemporary singer Pavel Núñez also defended the singer. He said the legislator’s attitude bordered on a double standard. “ I believe that our deputies (by historical record, not only the current ones) are the least indicated to describe misconduct in our society, I understand that Anthony, apart from deserving all the honors and taking our hats off to him is a simple recognition of the great artist that he is. As such, you are not passing judgement on his personal life. Or are you? “ he observed.

https://elnacional.com.do/artistas-en-defensa-de-anthony-rios/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MHHhC4TXXc


Embassy of Japan donates fire engine for Jarabacoa forest fires
The Jarabacoa Municipal Fire Station now has a good fire engine, donated by the government of Japan. The donation was formalized during a contract-signing at the Embassy of Japan. The contract was signed by Jarabacoa Fire Intendent Julio Antonio Ramírez Tejada and Japan Ambassador in the Dominican Republic, Hiroyuki Makiuchi. Attending was Ronaldo Torres, international cooperation officer for the Minister of Economy, Planning and Development (Mepyd).

The Embassy of Japan said the donation commemorates the 30th year of Japan donations for human safety community projects in the country and is the 300th donation.

The fire engine estimated at a cost of US$50,260 will be used to combat forest fires because of its adequate size. Jarabacoa is a vacation destination located in a mountain area in the center of the Dominican Republic.

Ambassador Makiuchi explained that every year around eight projects with average costs of US$80,000 are carried out to benefit communities in areas of public health, education, environment and micro business.

https://www.do.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_es/K2018F3.html
https://listindiario.com/economia/2018/11/29/543738/embajada-de-japon-dona-un-camion-de-bomberos


DR was JetBlue’s Destination Good
Celebrating “Giving Tuesday” on 27 November 2018, JetBlue, the largest carrier serving the Dominican Republic, flew a plane full of do-gooders to the Dominican Republic. The volunteers were winners of the airline’s #CheckInForGood contest and had agreed to join JetBlue on a volunteer trip during JetBlue For Good Month without knowing the destination.

The 50 volunteers were only told where they were going after they had arrived at New York’s JFK International Airport for their flight. They would participate in a four-day service trip to volunteer alongside the airline’s crewmembers and non-profit partners.

Projects were in the tourist destinations of La Romana and Punta Cana. The activities included renovating a local school that helps children with disabilities transition to general school, beautifying a community play space and assisting in building 65 buoys to protect coral reef beds. They worked with local non-profits Fundemar and Dream Project. The effort also had the support of Paradisus Meliá that is launching its Volunteer Vacations in 2019.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181127005607/en/


Dominican skaters win gold in Panama Open
Dominican artistic skaters on wheels six year old Daniela and her sister eight year old Letizia García Medina, won gold in the Third International Panama Open Artistic Skating on Wheels Competition held in Panama. Dominican Sofía Carballo Sigarreta won silver in the event. They competed against skaters from Uruguay, Colombia, Chile and Panama during the championship.

The event took place at the Arena Roberto Duran of Panama City from 18 to 24 November 2018, with the participation of 200 skaters from six countries, including Panama, Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic.

https://www.bajotecho.com.do/2018/1...3S6S3w3KiUUw7eXA-tA8zsZk0a74BjiwNdtvzG4FzNZ_s
http://patinajepanama.com/open2018/
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte/2018/11/28/543578/las-ninas-de-oro


Dominican athletes residing in Puerto Rico hope to win December National Games
A large delegation of 101 Dominican athletes living in Puerto Rico is coming for the XIV Juegos Nacionales Hermanas Mirabal organized by the Ministry of Sports. The games will be held 6 to 16 December 2018, at venues in north and central provinces. Puerto Rico will compete as the 8th Zone in the sports games and is expected to win the competition. Technical director Carlos Hernandez said the athletes will compete in wrestling, judo, weight lifting, karate, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, taekwondo, boxing, chess, track and field, and gymnastics. Nikolay Arango and Pedro Ruiz in karate are expected to win medals.

https://elnacional.com.do/la-octava-zona-espera-ganar-muchas-medallas-xiv-juegos/


Bartolo Colon to pitch for the Aguilas at the Cibao Ballpark
Legendary Dominican pitcher Bartolo Colon will be opening for his beloved Aguilas Cibaeñas when they face off at home against their archrival, the Licey Tigers. Expect a full house at the Cibao Ballpark in Santiago on Thursday, 29 November 2018, when Colon makes his debut. Colon was born and raised in Altamira, Puerto Plata prior to migrating to the US to play baseball.

He hopes to make a needed difference for the Aguilas. The team has lost their past five games against their leading rival, the Licey Tigers. Both teams share the most championships won in the Dominican Winter Baseball Championship.

The 45-year old pitcher, who last played with the Texas Rangers in MLB, says he still able to effectively locate his pitches and is known for keeping batters off-balance. Colon has 247 victories in MLB, the most for a Latin American hurler.

Colón said he wants to pitch a game in each of the four Dominican stadiums in the country – Cibao in Santiago, Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Tetelo Vargas in San Pedro, and Francisco Micheli in La Romana. Colón said that this is his farewell appearance in the Dominican Republic’s winter league prior to his expected retirement.

In his 21 years in MLB, Colon has pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Montreal Expos, Anaheim Angels, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, New York Mets and the Texas Rangers.

https://www.cdn.com.do/2018/11/27/bartolo-colon-se-prepara-debutar-aguilas-cibaenas-este-jueves/


MicroTeatro announces new short theater works
The 15-minute dramas have caught on and the Microteatro in the Colonial City is a hotspot with young people in the Colonial City. “Comunes y Corrientes” on Wednesday evenings will now include the “Chica de los 15 minutos” play by Argentinean Diego Vicos as of Wednesday, 28 November. The actors, Ismael Almonte (UnIsma) and Fidia Peralta, will be starring in “Polos Opuestos” directed by Katyuska Licairac. And actress Virginia del Sol will be preforming a monologue entitled “Gime, Gime Jimena,” directed by Rosa Aurora. Microteatro Santo Domingo is located at Calle José Reyes 107 in the Colonial City.

https://www.facebook.com/microteatrosd/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/nuevas-piezas-de-comunes-y-corrientes-los-miercoles-en-microteatro/


Do You Know the Milky Way at the National Theater
German Karl Wittlinger’s play, “Do You Know the Milky Way” will be staged at the Sala Ravelo of the National Theater this weekend – Thursday to Friday, 29, 30, 31 November and 1 December 2018. The starring role is by hotelier-actor Exmin Carvajal. “De genios y locos…todos tenemos un poco” also stars Johnnié Mercedes, both directed by Germana Quintana.

The play presents the two actors playing twelve roles in a search for one man's identity. They never find it, but the action reveals many comic and dramatic situations and leaves the audience with a message about love and the search for happiness.

The shows will be on 29, 30, 31 November at 8:30pm and on Sunday, 1 December at 6:30pm. Tickets are RD$800 for sale at the National Theater box office and at Uepa Tickets for Supermercados Nacional, CCN and Jumbo stores.


Costume to honor the Hawksbill sea turtle at Miss Universe 2018
Miss Dominican Republic will be costumed as a carey turtle on occasion of her participation in the Miss Universe 2018 contest in Bangkok, Thailand on 16 December 2018. The pageant will be televised in Santo Domingo.

Miss Dominican Republic will be wearing the “I Love Carey” costume in honor of the Hawksbill sea turtle (carey) that lays its eggs in the Dominican beaches, according to a feature in Diario Libre.

The costume is designed by Dominican designer Leonel Lirio who has had received praise for his innovative, stylish and uniquely Dominican costumes worn by the contestants representing our nation. He designed the costume for Ruth Ocumarez who was the Miss Universe runner-up in 2002 and the first place attire worn by Amelia Vega when winning Miss Universe in 2013.

He says Miss Aldy Bernard, Miss Dominican Republic, participated in the design of the costume she will wear in Bangkok during Miss Universe 2018.

http://wwf.panda.org/knowledge_hub/endangered_species/marine_turtles/hawksbill_turtle/
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...018-se-inspira-en-la-tortuga-carey-PF11504856


Juan Luis Guerra and Vicente García at Hard Rock in Punta Cana on 1 December
Dominican megastar Juan Luis Guerra and young singer Vicente Garcia will be performing a memorable concert at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana this coming Saturday, 1 December 2018. Latin Grammy winner Vicente García has repeatedly explained that Guerra was a constant inspiration and mentor for his career.

The concert will be held on the golf course at the Hard Rock and will include popular songs of the two performers.

Tickets for the Juan Luis Guerra and Vicente García show go on sale on Monday, 10 September 2018 at all of the La Sirena stores as well as the Pola Supermarkets, Ticket Express online and Tu Boleta online services.


Pavel Núñez concert at Hard Rock Live
Contemporary rock singer Pavel Núñez announces his concert at Hard Rock Live for Wednesday, 19 December 2018 at 9pm. He will be releasing new songs from his “Oratoria y otras historias” new album that also features Cuban Pablo Milanes, bachata singer Zacarias Ferreira and ballads singer Laura Rivera. The album has many romantic songs. He will be accompanied by his music group, El Corredor de la 27 de Febrero, with David Vasquez, Luisito Payan, Guy Frometa and Rafa Payan, and El Abuelo. He promises to also play several of his greatest hits.


Willie Colon celebrates 50 years playing salsa with concert in Santo Domingo
Legendary trumpeter, 68-year old Bronx-born, Willie Colon will be playing his salsa at the Hard Rock Live in Santo Domingo on Friday, 22 December 2018. He is playing here as part of his global tour celebrating his 50 years in salsa. He promises to play his best hits, from the days he played with the Fania All Stars. Special guests will be performing that evening.
https://almomento.net/willie-colon-celebrara-50-anos-de-la-salsa-en-hard-rock-live/