President-elect Hipólito Mejía announced that his government will increase city government allotments to 10% of the national budget. 94 of 115 city governments are managed by the PRD, which will rule the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch as of 16 August 2000. Mejía told El Siglo that he would gradually increase the allotment. He would assign an additional 3% in 2001, and another 3% in 2002, bringing the total to 10% by 2002. Law 17-97 at present grants municipalities 17-97. While in theory the monies are assigned for the municipalities to do a better government, in reality the moneys have mostly gone to provide jobs for party members. Last year, the government allotted RD$1,624.1 million to the Dominican Municipal League, the clearinghouse for municipal funds. Of these, the LMD retained 5%. Mejía also told El Siglo newspaper that he would break up the government of Santo Domingo into four parts, appointing four governors of the city. The city break up would be: Cementera-Villa Mella, the center of the city, Rio Ozama-Los Mina, Herrera and Los Alcarrizos. Mejía feels they will be better able to serve the barrios improving social services and housing. The PRD government has expressed its priority of working to improve conditions for low-income people.
