2008 – Page 59

Listin Diario writes that the energy sector is on the verge of collapse and that the recent blackouts reported are far worse than those registered last week. Aside from no production from the AES, San Felipe, Los Minas and others, there is minimal generation from hydroelectric plants. Listin writes the energy deficit registered 1,021MW yesterday …

Read more…

The Land Transport Office (OTTT) has called for urban, suburban and inter-urban bus fares to be reduced by RD$2 to RD$30, depending on the kilometers traveled. The OTTT also said that AMET traffic police would be enforcing this. Transport union leaders said they are in no position to reduce bus fares because the government has …

Read more…

Gravel extraction company Osoria & Asociados has signed an agreement promising to stop extracting gravel from the Rio Yuna and will remove their extraction equipment and vehicles effective immediately. The agreement was signed at the Bonao Country Club at an event attended by more than 50 organizations. This agreement comes as the environmentalists and the …

Read more…

The Central Bank’s monthly report on the tourism sector reveals that Mexico has become the DR’s main competitor for the North American tourist market. According to Hoy the devaluation in the Mexican peso has made Mexico a cheaper alternative and the principal competitor for the DR. With the downturn in the US economy and the …

Read more…

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at combating the use of fraudulent calling cards. Campaigners estimate that Dominicans waste US$30,000 per day in misleading phone cards, which only contain 60% of the minutes advertised after the hidden charges and fees. The legislation declared that the calling card industry is “plagued by fraudulent …

Read more…

The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that 5.1 million young people in Central America are unemployed, and this figure includes 627,000 jobless youth in the DR. According to the ILO report, the DR has the highest youth unemployment rate in the region with a rate of 30.4%, followed by Panama (18.9%) and Costa Rica (13.9%). …

Read more…

There are 155,000 working children between the ages of 5 and 17 in the DR. It is not known how many of them are involved in the sex trade, agricultural work, collecting trash or other dangerous work. Though this is a high figure, amounting to 5.3% of the total youth population, it is a 3.5% …

Read more…

Although the DR has been among regional leaders in the elimination of ozone depleting substances as part of the Montreal Protocol, the country still has work to do to remove toxic substances, including those found in air conditioners and in old vehicles. UN representative Paul Horwitz said the nation still had to remove chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) …

Read more…

The DR’s infant mortality has been registered at 32 per 1000 live births (0.03%) since 2002 with no significant change in the figures. According to researcher Frank Caceres, these figures reflect deficiencies in the country’s health sector and its health model. As an example, Caceres mentioned that 17% of all children in the DR still …

Read more…

Last night the Gigantes continued their winning ways after beating the second place Toros 13-8. It turned out to be a slugfest between the league’s top two teams, but in the end the Toros lost out on an opportunity to jump back into first place. Standings Team W-L Avg. Games Behind GIGANTES 10 – 2 …

Read more…