2007 – Page 134

The local Center for Emergency Operations (COE) is on alert in case Hurricane Dean decides to change course at last minute, as reported in Hoy. The US National Hurricane Center has issued a storm watch for the island, and Dean is expected to cross us on Saturday morning on its way to Jamaica and Mexico. …

Read more…

President Leonel Fernandez will be in Santiago to celebrate today’s national holiday, Restoration Day. Although the DR gained its independence from Haiti in 1844, by 1861 it had reverted back to being a colony of Spain. With the help of Haitian revolutionaries who feared the presence of Spain on the island, the war against Spain …

Read more…

On occasion of the start of the fourth year in office of President Leonel Fernandez begins his fourth year in office Temple University Sociology Professor Rosario Espinal analyzes the challenges ahead, as reported in Hoy. Espinal believes that while Fernandez’s popularity will continue to erode in coming months, his political positioning is strong enough for …

Read more…

Economists Carlos Despradel, Andres Dauhajre, Jose Luis de Ramon and Miguel Ceara Hatton focused yesterday on where the country is at three years into the administration of President Leonel Fernandez during an interview with Hoy newspaper. All recommend that the country continue with IMF supervision of government finances once the current stand-by arrangement runs out …

Read more…

The government is announcing that beginning in November, with a RD$13,990 million budget, a number of public works projects will be launched, including paving roads and sidewalks. This announcement of a series of very visible government works coincides with the forthcoming presidential elections, set for 16 May 2008. Felix Bautista, director of the State Works …

Read more…

The Ministry of Public Health Resolution No. 9 puts into effect today the use of a pink-colored form for certifying births to non-resident foreigners in Dominican hospitals. The document is issued to confirm that the birth took place in the Dominican Republic and is required by foreign consulates for the registration of their foreign-born nationals …

Read more…

As part of Restoration Day celebrations the government announced it is temporarily suspending the alcohol decree that limits the sale of alcoholic beverages. Traders will be allowed to sell alcohol without restriction until Friday. The decree limits the sale of alcohol until 12am Sunday through Thursday and until 2am Fridays and Saturdays. Since the decree …

Read more…

The PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado, usually known as a man of few words, added his two cents when he blasted President Leonel Fernandez’s current administration. Vargas, quoted in Hoy described Fernandez’s first three years in office as incompetent, inefficient and full of unfulfilled promises. Vargas said that the current situation isn’t going to …

Read more…

Clave newspaper is questioning Leonardo Matos Berrido’s work at the helm of the National Housing Bank (BNV). Last week, the newspaper criticized the fact that in the course of his two year term Matos Berrido has increased his wages from the RD$175,000 earned by his predecessor to more than RD$500,000 and awarded himself a life …

Read more…

Spokesmen for leading transport associations told the government yesterday that they are instructing their members to refrain from paying the fees being charged for license plate renewals. Rates for vehicles that are 10 years old or more have only been increased by RD$300; but minibus drivers, cargo truck owners and owners of vehicles dated from …

Read more…