El Siglo newspaper has clarified that the new province of Santo Domingo does not mean an increase in the number of deputies. The number of deputies and aldermen will continue to be the same since the population has not changed. Thus, the present 89 aldermen and 44 deputies will be distributed among the National District and the Province of Santo Domingo with its four municipalities. What will change is that instead of having one mayor, there will be five mayors and a governor post will be created, as well as new jobs to manage the new bureaucracy. Opponents of the division argued there will be little improvement in services to the communities. Here is the make up of the new municipalities: Santo Domingo West. 241.58 kms2, pop. 381,246. Includes: Herrera, Los Alcarrizos, Manoguayabo, Pedro Brand, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, Los Garcia, El Pedregal, La Cuaba, El Limon. Budget allotment: RD$10.5 million. 15 aldermen and eight deputies. Santo Domingo North. 408.11 kms.2, pop. 257,430. Villa Mella, Los Guaricanos, Sabana Perdida, San Felipe, Licey, Duquesa, Higuero, La Jagua, La Victoria, Sierra Prieta, Mal Nombre, La Virgen, Mata Mamon, La Bomba, Guanuma, Hacienda Estrella, La Ceiba. Budget allotment: RD$11 million. 10 aldermen and five deputies. Santo Domingo Este. 478.99 kms2, pop. 578,285. Ozama, Mendoza, Los Mina, Cancino, Villa Duarte, Guerra, El Naranjo, La Reforma, El Toro, Hato Viejo, La Joya. Budget allotment: RD$15 million. 23 aldermen and 11 deputies. Boca Chica. 148.64 kms2, pop. 59,923. Boca Chica, Andres, Los Tanquesitos, Bella Vista, La Caleta, Cruce de Boca Chica, La Malena. Budget allotment: RD$1.7 million. Five aldermen and two deputies. National District (capital of the Dominican Republic): Limits to the North, Isabela River; to the South, Caribbean Sea; to the East, Ozama River; and to the West, an imaginary line that starts in the Caribbean Sea and continues North by the west limit of Urb. Costa Verde to the Prolongacion de la Avenida Independencia. 36 aldermen and 18 deputies.
