El Caribe newspaper reports that the capital city is facing a serious shortage of funds. Inflation has reduced the value of its RD$680-million budget, of which 90% currently goes to refuse collection and salaries for its 4,700 municipal employees. Mayor Roberto Salcedo told the newspaper that some of these costs used to be covered by the central government, and that he has had to seek additional funds to bridge the gap. The city is facing a debt of RD$50 million as a consequence, said Salcedo. The mayor announced his latest clean-up initiative, which is to remove the prostitutes and street vendors from the Centro de los Heroes area in the capital’s La Feria district, home to the National Congress, the Supreme Court and many other government institutions. He listed future challenges for his administration as street lighting, repair of sidewalks and improved drainage systems. The newspaper’s main editorial calls for more citizen involvement in the improvement of the capital, ranging from those who “sponsor” green areas, parks and traffic islands, to simple civic responsibility. “Remember that ‘clean’ is not just about cleaning, it is about not dirtying,” said Salcedo.