Government announced that within the next three months, 350 living in the Hoyo de la Zurza of Santo Domingo will be relocated as part of the first phase of the plan to rescue the Isabela and Ozama rivers that divide East and West Santo Domingo. Rescate Social Urbano y Ecologico (Resure) is implementing the plan. Mercedes Sabater de Macarrulla, speaking for the program, said that once the families are relocated the government will build the first part of the ecological park that will border the rivers. Kiosks and benches will be built, and trees and ornamental plants will be planted. The project has the support of the European Union with the Lome IV program providing US$22 million funding. The first phase of the program calls for relocation of 1,700 families, the second phase will relocate 4,000. The first families will move into a new housing development in the San Luis section of the National District.
