In Santiago de los Caballeros, local officials have revealed that RD$10.0 billion in different public works projects is currently on hold. The Hispano-American Avenue, the Northern Beltway, and the highway between Santiago and Tamboril are just three of the projects on hold. In some cases, open trenches have cut off access to neighborhoods. A recent press release from the President’s assistant press secretary told of the billions of pesos being spent on public works projects in Santiago. Reporters from Listin Diario went out to investigate and found that most of the projects were on hold. And the paralysis does not only affect the big projects but also the smaller ones that include street paving and school reconstruction. Another of the most urgent projects, the reconstruction and repair of the Luperon Tourist Highway between Santiago and Puerto Plata, is also stalled. So far, there have been only been muted public protests for the slow movement of these and many other projects.