The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco, announced yesterday that tax reform bill would go to public hearings as from 26 September. Pacheco stated that the bill would not be approved as sent by the Executive Branch, and assured that the Deputies would be examining it in depth. He insisted that the highest tax load should be placed on the wealthier. The bill is currently being analyzed by the Finance Committee after which it will go to public hearings where all sectors – business, tourist, agricultural and industrial – will be able to present their views on the reform. The government is seeking that the tax reform will collect RD$30 billion annually to compensate for the reduction in tariffs that will take place once DR-CAFTA comes into effect.