DR1 Daily News - Monday, 23 September 2019

D

Dolores

Guest
DR1 Daily News takes a break for Day of the Virgin of Mercy
President Medina to New York for the opening of United Nations
Ministry of Agriculture designates new cacao growing areas
US government is interested in Manzanillo natural gas terminal
Rash of blackouts could force EDEs to buy expensive power
Government mission in China
Constitutional Court revokes clauses in Penal Code
JCE extends deadlines for Dominican voters abroad
Radhamés Camacho: Government officer campaigning is a "political right"
Beach cleanup was a big job
An epidemic of vehicles in Santo Domingo
Kids are major victims of motorcycle accidents
DR women 7th in FIVB Volleyball World Cup
Dominican Design Week 2019 offers look at architectural gems



DR1 Daily News takes a break for Day of the Virgin of Mercy
The next DR1 Daily News update will appear on Wednesday, 25 September 2019. The Wednesday issue will compile headline news for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday honors Our Lady of Mercy, the protector of the Dominican people. There will be special celebrations at the national shrine to Our Lady of Mercy at the Santo Cerro Church in La Vega and in the Colonial City in the National District at the Iglesia de las Mercedes.
Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the DR1 Forums. See DR1 Forum at https://dr1.com

https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Dominican+Republic+Our+Lady+of+Mercedes+Day
https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/comienza-la-peregrinacion-por-dia-de-las-mercedes-HO14293172


President Medina to New York for the opening of United Nations
President Danilo Medina is in New York City for the opening ceremonies of the 74th General Assembly of the United Nations Organization on Tuesday, 24 September 2019. Besides attending the opening ceremonies of the Assembly, Medina will also hold bilateral meetings and political get-togethers with party members in the Big Apple. This is the second time that the President attends the opening of the General Assembly since the Dominican Republic was seated as a Non-Permanent Member of the Security Council.

https://elnacional.com.do/danilo-asistira-a-asamblea-onu-en-nueva-york/


Ministry of Agriculture designates cacao growing areas
The Ministry of Agriculture identified the Sur Profundo (Pedernales, Barahona, Jimani and La Descubierta), and the Línea Noroeste (Dajabon, Santiago Rodriguez and Valverde) as new cacao growing areas. Resolution 209-63 calls for assisting producers with modern production technologies for the sustained growth of cacao. The government is funding the installation of nurseries, low-cost seedlings for producers, cloning stations, and the implementation of best-growing practices for cacao farming. The ministry will be distributing the latest hybrids to farmers as well as teaching the newest grafting techniques.

https://eldia.com.do/ministerio-de-...onas-cacaoteras-en-regionales-sur-y-noroeste/


US government is interested in Manzanillo natural gas terminal
US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will donate US$1.2 million for a feasibility study on the construction of a natural gas terminal and natural gas power plant in Manzanillo in Montecristi province on the northwest coast of the Dominican Republic. This would be a first step to interest US companies in a tender for the construction of infrastructure facilities in the northwest.

Energy and Mines Minister Antonio Isa Conde signed the donation agreement for the Dominican government and acting director of USTDA, Thomas Hardy, for USTDA during the event held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Santo Domingo.

Isa Conde stressed that competition is important in the natural gas market. US company AES Corporation operates the country's largest natural gas infrastructure in the Andrés, Boca Chica area on the south side of the country. Isa Conde said a north coast location is of strategic convenience for security reasons in a country like ours that is on the path of Atlantic Ocean hurricanes.

Last year, the Dominican government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the People's Republic of China for the construction of port infrastructure in Manzanillo.

A terminal in northwestern Montecristi would serve the needs of the northern part of the country that now have to transport goods for shipment from southern ports. A north terminal would be built at the country's closest point to the United States. The United States is a major natural gas supplier to the Dominican Republic.

https://eldia.com.do/ee-uu-se-interesa-por-terminal-de-gas-natural-en-noroeste/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/09/21/eu-financiara-con-us1-2-millones-estudio-para-terminal-de-gn/


Rash of blackouts could force EDEs to buy expensive power
The nation's electricity distributors (EDEs) might have to turn to more expensive electricity supplies from older generators that are usually only used for emergencies. Electricity from these units costs between US$0.10 and US$0.22 per Kw/h. At present, distributors are paying between US$0.14 and US$0.15 per Kwh.

Spokesman Esteban Delgado for the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) said that Haina Turbo Gas would soon enter into operation to supply the rising summer demand. He said the plant is waiting on the delivery of fuel to begin supplying power to the national electricity grid.

Delgado also said the coal-fired plant at Punta Catalina is already generating 300 MW for the system at the cost of just US$0.09 a Kw/h, which does help the situation somewhat.

According to Delgado, there is currently a 450 MW deficit in electricity generation.

https://listindiario.com/economia/2...a-muy-costosa-debido-al-deficit-de-generacion


Government mission in China
Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo, Economy Minister Juan Ariel Jiménez and Deputy Minister of the Presidency Zoraima Cuello were in China last week for meetings with PRC government and university officers. As reported, Montalvo met with Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei. Montalvo said that he made the trip to see for himself the best Chinese practices to reduce the digital divide and their strategies for training in technologies and innovation. He understands the Chinese can contribute to the República Digital government digital program.

Montalvo reported that the government of China has offered support in scholarships for postgraduate studies for Dominican students, and for short courses. Programs to train the trainers were offered to the Medina administration. During the visit, Montalvo and the Dominican mission met with officers of the top-ranked Tsinghua University in Beijing. Tsinghua University could send professors and researchers from its faculty.

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...es-chinas-apoyaran-programa-republica-digital


Constitutional Court revokes clauses in Penal Code
The Constitutional Court established that the plaintiff in public action cases may also request the imposition of coercive measures, as may the Public Prosecutor's Office. In judgment TC-362/19, the Constitutional Court instructed the addition of several paragraphs to Article 85 of the Penal Code of Criminal Procedures to align it with the 2015 Constitution of the Republic and to adhere to the criterion set out in judgment 259/14.

The decision came after former Minister of Public Works Victor Diaz Rua filed an action of unconstitutionality that was accepted by the Constitutional Court. The court revokes Article 85 that had defined who could be a plaintiff. Victor Díaz Rua is one of the six prosecuted in the Dominican Republic for the US$92 million bribes paid by the Brazilian construction Odebrecht.

The Constitutional Court resolution establishes the new text should be: "The victim or his legal representative can constitute himself as a plaintiff, promote criminal action and accuse under the terms and conditions established in this Code [Penal Code]." It also adds that: "In punishable acts committed by public officials, in the exercise of their functions or on the occasion of them, and in human rights violations, any person can constitute himself as a plaintiff."

The Constitutional Court ruled that it is a discretionary prerogative of the citizen to present accusations or complaints independently or to adhere to the ones already presented by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...acias-a-sentencia-del-tribunal-constitucional


JCE extends deadlines for Dominican voters abroad
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) decided to extend the deadline for the registration of Dominican citizens residing abroad on the electoral roll for the 2020 general elections. The new period closes on 19 October 2019 at midnight.

The JCE says that services cover new registrations, data change, renewal of previous identification and electoral documents (blue and yellow cards), and registration in the offices for the Registry of Voters Abroad (OPREEs) authorized by the Central Electoral Board.

https://acento.com.do/2019/politica...e-a-dominicanos-querellarse-contra-corruptos/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...electorales-solo-a-dominicanos-en-el-exterior


Radhamés Camacho: Government officer campaigning is a "political right"
The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Radhamés Camacho on Sunday, 22 September 2019, defended his "political right" and that of fellow politicians to participate as coordinators of the electoral campaign of pre-candidate Gonzalo Castillo. Camacho is backing Castillo who seeks to defeat former President Leonel Fernández in the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) primary on 6 October 2019.

"Where does it say I cannot direct the campaign because I am the president of the Chamber of Deputies?," demanded Camacho when journalists asked him to respond to protests to the campaigning of high government officers by the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM). He denied the government officers were violating anything.

Campaigning of government officers is prohibited by Political Parties Law 33-18 and the Government Officers Law 41-08, Electoral Regime Law 15-19 and the Tax Code.

The government officers argue they are campaigning outside of their work hours.

Luis Abinader, pre-candidate for the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) called for the ruling party to adhere to the laws and protested the government actions in favor of Gonzalo Castillo. "As the party's lawyers have documented, the participation of officials in political campaigns violates the laws of Public Function and Electoral Regime and ignores the constitutional provision that commands free, fair and clean elections," Abinader said during a press meeting at a local hotel over the weekend.

The PRM pre-candidate summoned the senior government officials to resign or take a license to act as part of the government pre-candidate's campaign command.

Meanwhile, the media has reported on the millions being spent to promote the pre-candidates. Recent the PLD reported spending RD$555 million in the pre-candidate campaigns. It presented campaign receipts for RD$291.5 million for Gonzalo Castillo and in spending RD$269 million. Leonel Fernandez reported RD$247 million in campaign receipts and RD$177 million in spending.

The PRM states it has spent RD$58 million for their pre-candidate campaigns.

Both parties are preparing for the 6 October 2019 primaries, with Gonzalo Castillo and Leonel Fernandez the main contenders for the PLD, and Luis Abinader and Hipólito Mejía for the PRM.

https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/09...o-y-de-funcionarios-publicos-a-hacer-campana/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...esidente-de-la-camara-de-diputados-MO14290268
https://acento.com.do/2019/politica...ignacion-de-ministros-en-campana-de-castillo/
https://eldia.com.do/abinader-demanda-el-gobierno-se-someta-a-la-legalidad/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-prm-solo-58-millones-en-precampana-electoral
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...asto-superior-a-todos-los-demas-precandidatos
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...69-millones-de-pesos-en-52-dias-de-precampana
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...omica-frente-a-un-poderoso-pld-en-el-gobierno


Beach cleanup was a big job
On Saturday, 21 September 2019, people from all around the Dominican Republic participated in activities organized for the International Day of Clean Beaches by turning out with bags, gloves and rakes to help clean up the beaches. Much of the activity was promoted and sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment.

Environment Minister Angel Estevez set off the activities with a cleanup operation at Playa Palenque in San Cristobal. The minister urged people not to liter the streets because the refuse eventually reaches rivers and oceans.

Deputy Minister Ydalia Acevedo noted that the cleanup program covered 86 beaches and 107 riverbanks. Civic groups and private companies joined the staff of the Ministry of Environment in the activities collecting tons and tons of refuse. Among the entities that participated were the Propagas Foundation, the Center for Forestry Development (CEDAF), the Naval Auxiliary, and Dominicana Limpia. The activity is an annual tradition and seeks to create an awareness in the general public about keeping beaches clean.

https://elnacional.com.do/realizara...a-en-dia-internacional-de-limpieza-de-playas/


Epidemic of vehicles in Santo Domingo
The capital of the Dominican Republic has a vehicle density of 13,082 vehicles per km2. This makes the National District, the capital with the most vehicle density in Latin America. The data was shared on the occasion of "World Day Without Cars." A feature in Listín Diario reports on a new study that determined the capital city is suffering from "an epidemic of vehicles on its streets: 4.3 million units, an increase of 253,546 cars in just one year."

The study carried out by the Fundación Economía y Desarrollo on traffic and mobility highlights how within Greater Santo Domingo, the National District stands out. "It is 'the patient zero' in a study on traffic and mobility carried out by the Fundación Economía y Desarrollo. Maite de Jesus, chief coordinator of the study, explained that 1.4 million vehicles circulate in the 104.4 km2 of the National District. This results in an overwhelming statistic: a vehicle density of 13,082 vehicles per km2, which makes the Dominican capital the first in vehicular density in all of Latin America.

The study concluded that city drivers are unable to let go of their vehicles because they have no other option due to the low quality of public transport and the high perception of risk associated with regularly available services. The study urges shared taxis to be eliminated and more investment in massive, modern public passenger transport.

On occasion of the Week of Sustainable Mobility, the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant) organized a campaign to promote bicycle riding. Claudia Franchesca de los Santos, director of the Intrant, said the mobility event is held annually to promote friendly means of transportation and good practices for better mobility in the city.

Statistics from the Tax Agency (DGII) show that every year the vehicle fleet has increased. In 2018 there were more than 4.3 million vehicle units registered, 253,546 more than the previous year.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...al-el-centro-de-una-epidemia-en-el-transporte


Kids are major victims of motorcycle accidents
The Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital has treated 245 children under the age of 14 for injuries suffered in motorcycle and automobile accidents so far this year. During 2018, the hospital treated 659 cases of children between the ages of 14 and newborn.

The office of statistics at the Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital showed reporters from the Listin Diario that as of August 2019, there were 145 cases of children less than 10 years of age; and 1,017 teenagers between the ages of 10 and 19 treated for motorcycle accident injuries. When automobiles (and other vehicles) are included, the numbers rise to 384 kids under 10 and 1,804 between 10 and 19 years of age. In general, the hospital attended over 12,000 accident victims between January 2019 and August 2019.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ninos-heridos-este-ano-en-accidentes-de-motos
https://hoy.com.do/la-muerte-acecha-en-los-vehiculos/


DR women 7th in FIVB Volleyball World Cup
The Dominican Republic senior women's volleyball team moved up to 7th place in the 12-team FIVB World Cup taking place in Japan, from 14 September to 15 October 2019.
The DR defeated Kenya 3-0 ( (25-17, 25-19, 25-19) for 3 wins and four losses. The DR has also defeated Korea.

The DR next plays USA (23 September), Argentina (26 September), Netherlands (27 September) and Serbia (28 September).

https://www.flovolleyball.tv/events...ic-vs-kenya-2019-womens-fivb-world-cup/videos


Dominican Design Week 2019 offers look at architectural gems
There are impressive and iconic buildings in Santo Domingo that are worth appreciating. What better time than to take advantage of Design Week 2019?

Even if you have little or no knowledge of architecture, styles or buildings, the organizers of this Design Week 2019 will be there to help you out. This week, 23 September-29 September, features a Design Route (points of interest and experiences in the National District) with a focus on 15 icons of capital city architecture. The buildings include religious structures, commercial buildings, government structures, hotels and private residences. Of the buildings under the spotlight of Design Week 2019 five are in the Colonial City; five in Gascue and the UASD university area and five in the Polígono Central.


https://listindiario.com/la-vida/2019/09/20/583359
https://designweekrd.com/
 
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