The National Police had to close down the Máximo Gómez Avenue from 27 de Febrero de José Contreras avenues, to allow for the long lines of persons who queued up to receive toys on Three Kings Day, 6 January. The PRSC said that some RD$7 million were invested in the purchase of the 40,000 units that were given out. Fernando Villalona, one of the most popular merengue performers, provided entertainment for the crowds. During his many years as President, the former statesman yearly gave away thousands of toys to indigent Dominicans. The custom was started over 20 years ago by the former President’s sister, Emma Balaguer. Deputy Aníbal Paéz, now in the limelight for his debts with the Inespre, was in charge of the gift giving. The Mayor of Santo Domingo, Rafael Suberví Bonilla, distributed toys to some 50,000 children on the same day. In addition to those who lined up at his Mirador del Sur residence, the Mayor’s wife also visited children’s sections of public hospitals and orphanages to distribute the toys. Miguelina de Suberví, the mayor’s wife, said that they invested over RD$6 million in the toys that were given out. The government party, the PLD gave away toys on 5 January, the holiday that preceded the celebration of Three Kings Day.
