Highlights of Inaugural Address of President Leonel Fernandez on 16 August
? Start of times of austerity. Promised austerity to confront the crisis, reduction of 20% of government jobs, eliminating those duplicating roles in government and political patronage jobs. Said that nobody would use government funds to purchase new ?jeepetas? (luxury SUVs), nor making unlimited mobile phone calls, reduction of diet expenses. Would reduce deputy minister positions to those in the law for each ministry. Ban on borrowing of government institutions from domestic banks. Consular posts would from now on be limited to receiving a wage, not participation in funds generated.
? Would resume agreement with IMF. Plan to confront quasi fiscal debt of RD$90 billion comes with agreement of local and foreign businessmen of depositing funds for future invesetment in the Banco de Reservas at higher rates than what they receive abroad, so as to pay back the certificates of savings in the Central Bank and not continue to issue reserve-less money as has been happening so far causing devaluation of the peso, high levels of inflation. Will honor commitments with certificates of savings made so far. Expects recovery will stimulate a return of capitals, stimulate new investments, new jobs, increase demand and consumption, reduce cost of living.
? Will not be a flag bearer for traditional change of government custom of ?boron y cuenta nueva,? or leave what was past in the past. ?He who does not have clear accounts, in the public or private sector, may he know that from now on government will not serve as obstruction nor manipulator for justice to not act as our codes and laws establish. ?That nobody whisper to my ear in private, what they are not in capacity to tell me in private.?
? Priority to programs to bring food and medicine programs at low cost to the poor. Integrate civic society in social programs. Start of emergency six month programs.
? Power sector. Announced contracting of a US$50 million line of credit to purchase fuel to normalize power service immediately. Evaluate electricity sector contracts, make transparent the costs of the sector, limit subsidy to poor that consume 200 kVH, increase collections, international tender for EdeNorte and Edesur, train staff in electricity regulation, strengthen the Superintendence and National Commission of Energy, approve renewal energy strategies and inject new capitals in the sector. Sure of the support of the IDB, World Bank to bring light back at the end of the tunnel.
? Creation of a state of law, with strengthening of institutions that may serve to curtail unbridled ambitions. ?The DR cannot continue as of now with citizen insecurity, traffic of influences, political patronage, illicit enrichening, abuse of power.? Spoke against fear of fraud in elections, a censured press, when powers of the state should inspire with their responsible acts confidence in the people.
Urged members of Congress to assume their role as guarantee of the sacred interests of the republic.
? Priority to education, quality education. Increase of computer and internet education to grade school levels, and increase in bilingual education programs. That public schools offer same quality of education as private schools. Creation of community college programs to quick training of youths. Educate for democracy, with modern civic education programs, to increase social participation.
? International relations. Focus on regional Organization of American States programs to promote international peace. Links with Pacific, Latin American, African and European nations, North America and special attention to Haiti.
? Set new slogan of: ?Dominicano, e pa?lante que vamos!?
? Start of times of austerity. Promised austerity to confront the crisis, reduction of 20% of government jobs, eliminating those duplicating roles in government and political patronage jobs. Said that nobody would use government funds to purchase new ?jeepetas? (luxury SUVs), nor making unlimited mobile phone calls, reduction of diet expenses. Would reduce deputy minister positions to those in the law for each ministry. Ban on borrowing of government institutions from domestic banks. Consular posts would from now on be limited to receiving a wage, not participation in funds generated.
? Would resume agreement with IMF. Plan to confront quasi fiscal debt of RD$90 billion comes with agreement of local and foreign businessmen of depositing funds for future invesetment in the Banco de Reservas at higher rates than what they receive abroad, so as to pay back the certificates of savings in the Central Bank and not continue to issue reserve-less money as has been happening so far causing devaluation of the peso, high levels of inflation. Will honor commitments with certificates of savings made so far. Expects recovery will stimulate a return of capitals, stimulate new investments, new jobs, increase demand and consumption, reduce cost of living.
? Will not be a flag bearer for traditional change of government custom of ?boron y cuenta nueva,? or leave what was past in the past. ?He who does not have clear accounts, in the public or private sector, may he know that from now on government will not serve as obstruction nor manipulator for justice to not act as our codes and laws establish. ?That nobody whisper to my ear in private, what they are not in capacity to tell me in private.?
? Priority to programs to bring food and medicine programs at low cost to the poor. Integrate civic society in social programs. Start of emergency six month programs.
? Power sector. Announced contracting of a US$50 million line of credit to purchase fuel to normalize power service immediately. Evaluate electricity sector contracts, make transparent the costs of the sector, limit subsidy to poor that consume 200 kVH, increase collections, international tender for EdeNorte and Edesur, train staff in electricity regulation, strengthen the Superintendence and National Commission of Energy, approve renewal energy strategies and inject new capitals in the sector. Sure of the support of the IDB, World Bank to bring light back at the end of the tunnel.
? Creation of a state of law, with strengthening of institutions that may serve to curtail unbridled ambitions. ?The DR cannot continue as of now with citizen insecurity, traffic of influences, political patronage, illicit enrichening, abuse of power.? Spoke against fear of fraud in elections, a censured press, when powers of the state should inspire with their responsible acts confidence in the people.
Urged members of Congress to assume their role as guarantee of the sacred interests of the republic.
? Priority to education, quality education. Increase of computer and internet education to grade school levels, and increase in bilingual education programs. That public schools offer same quality of education as private schools. Creation of community college programs to quick training of youths. Educate for democracy, with modern civic education programs, to increase social participation.
? International relations. Focus on regional Organization of American States programs to promote international peace. Links with Pacific, Latin American, African and European nations, North America and special attention to Haiti.
? Set new slogan of: ?Dominicano, e pa?lante que vamos!?