Decree 327-04, as published yesterday, notifies that the Executive Branch has ordered that non-profit organizations, including churches, sports and cultural clubs, and neighborhood groups with their headquarters on government properties, are entitled to request from the state the legalization of the titles of these lands. No cost has been fixed. There is a limit to 400 square meters to the authorization.
Another Presidential decree issued yesterday instructs the directors of the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD) and State Sugar Council (CEA), along with the administration of Bienes Nacionales, the government department in charge of state property, to proceed immediately to regularize property titles.
Hoy newspaper reported that yesterday there were long lines at the Bienes Nacionales Pedro Henriquez Urena Avenue headquarters. An Hoy journalist interviewed one of those in line, Rafael Moreta, a resident of the Brisas del Este city area, who said, ?Since the poor cannot aspire to anything, then we believe what they tell us. We act through hope.?
Meanwhile, Bienvenido Mendoza, who described himself as a disgrunted PRD voter and who lives in a government apartment in Villa Juana, said, ?If they exonerate the payments I owe on the apartment, I will vote for Hipolito Mejia, if not, I will not vote. He has to give me that title before the 16th (May), otherwise I will not vote, said. The Mejia administration has issued a decree to discount RD$100,000 from monies owed on government apartments to those who previously had benefited in the past.