El Caribe reports that the electricity was slightly better in the East and South of the country, but the Cibao region continued to suffer prolonged blackouts. A 190-megawatt deficit was reportedly the cause of the situation in the Cibao. El Caribe reported that the energy supply fared somewhat better in the East and South because the major consumers were not working over the weekend and thus demand was reduced. La Vega, Santiago, Montecristi and Puerto Plata continued to endure protracted power outages, provoking protests, loss of foods and extraordinary expenses for “emergency” generators. Some businesses in Puerto Plata have reported an 80% decrease in their activity. Meanwhile, the Listin Diario today reports that Eligio Jaquez,Agriculture Minister and head of the PPH faction of the PRD party, announced in Boca Chica that the government would have the electric problem solved by the end of this month. Jaquez promised that a RD$2-billion payment would be made to the generators, after which the lights would remain on for 24 hours a day.