Presidency Minister Danilo Medina has announced that the state will end up paying out approximately RD$20 billion in electric and LPG subsidies by the end of the year. For electricity the total will be around US$550 million whereas the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had placed a ceiling of US$300 million as a condition. Listin Diario reports that the RD$20 billion in subsidies plus the cost of public debt represented half of the national budget. Medina was speaking during a public function at the Dominican Corporation of State-owned Electric Companies (CDEEE) for the opening of the tender process for two coal generators, which are to be installed in the municipalities of Pepillo Salcedo and Hatillo.