2007 – Page 87

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic has announced the creation of two new currency denominations: a RD$200 peso note with the Mirabal Sisters on the front, and a RD$60 peso coin commemorating 19th century educator Salome Urena. The new issues are part of the activities related to the 60th anniversary of the Central Bank. …

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Technicians from the United States Transport Safety Administration (TSA) have praised the high safety standards at the Cibao International Airport and the new El Catey Airport near Samana. The three officials sent their findings to the TSA and to General Juan Bautista Rojas, the chief of the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESA) in the Dominican …

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The Social Security treasury has collected over RD$2.1 billion in fees for the Family Health Insurance (SFS) program during its first month of operations. Patients who have had to pay for medical consultations have provided RD$400 million in coverage. The situation affects a great number of employees, their dependents and employers who do not appear …

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The awful stinkhole called the Guajimia Creek is gradually becoming a much nicer place. According to Diario Libre reporter Yvonny Alcantara, things are changing. The mountains of garbage that used to line the creek have mostly disappeared, the frequent floods that came in the wake of every rainstorm are pretty much a thing of the …

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The ruling party PLD-majority Chamber of Deputies has decided to look into the issues surrounding the US$130 million in IOUs signed by the head of the Supervisor’s Office for State Public Works, Felix Bautista in favor of the Sun Land Corporation. The notes provide a government guarantee for the funds. Chamber president Julio Cesar Valentin …

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Yesterday’s one-day national strike called by the Alternative Social Forum left a toll of 14 injured in several incidents across the country. No deaths have been reported as a result of the strike. Overall, the stoppage was generally hailed as peaceful, and few arrests were made. While some tire burning took place in several barrios, …

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Diario Libre editor Adriano Miguel Tejada takes a hard look at the strike in today’s A.M. column on page two of the newspaper. According to the editor, all strikes in the Dominican Republic are based on the premise of the threat of violence. Years ago it was burning tires and vehicles that characterized events. Since …

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The National Meteorological Office, ONAMET, has issued a warning for residents of low-lying areas in the eastern Cibao Valley. Maria Trinidad Sanchez (Nagua), Espaillat (Moca) and Monte Plata provinces are especially vulnerable to the continuing rains, according to the forecasters. The meteorological office says that the rains are the result of a series of storm …

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Dominican students and educators were the recipients of the latest Broad Prize for Urban Education, called the Nobel Prize of United States education. The annual prize is awarded to schools that demonstrate the highest rates of academic improvement, especially among poor and ethnic minority students. Five schools represented New York City, three of which have …

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Leading privatized public transporters did not go to work on Tuesday, in support of the one-day strike called by the Alternative Social Forum. As a result, many workers were not able to get to work. City streets in Santo Domingo appeared as on a Sunday, with primarily private cars in circulation. Several schools chose to …

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