Instead of legislating to eliminate the Dominican penny, Central Bank governor Hector Valdez Albizu is advising legislators to launch an awareness campaign for the use of the monetary unit. Valdez defended the penny during a meeting at the Senate, which is studying a resolution aimed at eliminating the penny. Valdez says there are enough pennies for local demand. He said that the elimination would have legal, financial implications, especially with countries with which the DR has commercial ties. Senator Manuel Guichardo is asking the Monetary Board to remove the Dominican penny from circulation.