As a follow up to the National Dialogue, the talks to establish priorities on the government agenda, President Leonel Fernández decreed the creation of the Superintendencia de Electricidad, the decentralizing of the Ministry of Public Health and the creation of a bond for the promotion of low cost housing. The government also decreed the elimination of all non-tax barriers to foreign trade (Decree 114-98). The Superintendency for Electricity was created by Decree 118-98, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. It is the government entity that will regulate the electricity sector in the Dominican Republic, now that this sector is being almost completely passed to private business. Decree 115-98 creates the Housing Bond that will subsidize the purchase of homes for persons making between three to 10 times the minimum salary of the public sector. Single women who head families, and large families, are being given first priority in the issuing of the bond. Decree 113-98 creates the Comisión de Titulación de Terrenos Urbanos para Familias Ocupantes de Terrenos Propiedad del Estado Dominicano y de los Municipios. This commission will define the ownership status of state lands that have been occupied by individuals. Carlos Dore Cabral, who coordinated the National Dialogue, said that the government will continue implementing the decisions reached in the National Dialogue.
