The price of propane gas was up again last week, soaring to an all-time high of RD$541.35 per tank. This represents an increase of almost RD$50 over the past two weeks and is sparking concern over deforestation. Previous governments had subsidized cooking gas to discourage the use of charcoal as a cheaper alternative. Nevertheless, President Mejia disputes the notion that the high price of propane gas would promote deforestation. ?There is the distorted idea that the price of gas pushes people to use charcoal, and that is not true,? he said, as reported in Hoy newspaper. Furthermore, he thinks that the press is sensationalizing the issue. According to President Mejia, a RD$541.35 tank of gas can last for nearly two months. Such an expense for a family budget, says Mejia, is negligible and that any subsidy would only result in the same type of corruption seen during a first program enacted by his government. Although they were much publicized, the incidents of corruption went unpunished.
Prices of all fuels were on the rise last week, as the Dominican Republic feels the effects of the political crisis in Venezuela ? its main supplier ? and the fear of an imminent war in Iraq.
