Minister of Agriculture Eligio Jaquez defended the government program by which 75% of the cost of vehicles purchased by government officers comes from the budget of government ministries. The government officers receive financing from the Banco de Reservas to pay for 25% of the cost. Minister of Agriculture Eligio Jaquez defended the practice and said that it is an effective way of providing vehicles to Ministry staff. He says the ministry saves 50% of the cost they would incur if they had to rent the vehicles. He said the practice began in 1978 and has continued since then. At the end of their term, the vehicles belong to the government officers. El Nacional newspaper recently complained that government officers receive a RD$600,000 vehicle for which they only have to pay RD$150,000.
