Last night, the Senate approved the first reading of a bill that authorizes the Executive Branch to collect funds worth US$300 million for the payment of debts with Union Fenosa. The funds will be collected in two ways: through the reopening of a series of bonds issued in 2005 and that mature in 2018 in accordance with Law 188-05, or through the emission of a new debt instrument acceptable to international capital markets, placed in similar or better conditions that those that mature in 2018. These bonds will serve to pay part of the state’s US$699.7 million commitment, of which US$590.9 million are still pending payment to Distribuidora Dominicana de Electricidad (Didoel), a subsidiary of Union Fenosa.