The 32 Dominican senators have received RD$1.84 billion to distribute to their constituents since 2009 as part of the Social Management Fund, better known as the “barrilito.” The Congress created the fund by law to eliminate the many non-governmental organizations that the legislators had created for their “charity” works.
The fund was created in the Senate and Chamber of Deputies by then presidents of the houses, Reinaldo Pared Perez and Julio Cesar Valentin. The legislators receive assignments ranging from RD$420,000 to RD$900,000 per month, depending on the number of inhabitants in their province.
As reported, current Senate president Cristina Lizardo, senators Reinaldo Pared Perez of the National District, Julio Cesar Valentin of Santiago and Tommy Galan of San Cristobal receive the largest sums for representing the provinces with the largest populations. Each has received amounts ranging from RD$49 million to RD$51 million over the past five years.
Others receiving large allocations are senator Felix Bautista of San Juan de la Maguana who received RD$31 million, Jose Maria Sosa of San Pedro de Macoris RD$33.6 million, Rafael Calderon of Azua RD$29 million, Eddy Mateo of Barahona RD$28 million, Aristides Victora Yeb of Maria Trinidad Sanchez RD$25 million, Euclides Sanchez of La Vega RD$42 million, Prim Pujals of Samana RD$27 million and Wilton Guerrero of Peravia RD$31 million.
Amilcar Romero of Duarte RD$37 million, Charlie Mariotti of Monte Plata RD$33 million, Heinz Vieluf of Montecristi RD$28 million, Ruben Dario Cruz of Hato Mayor RD$26 million, Antonio Cruz Torres of Santiago Rodriguez RD$24 million, Luis Rene Canaan of Salcedo RD$28 million, Felix Nova of Monsenor Nouel RD$30 million, and Manuel Guichardo of Valverde RD$28 million.
Carlos Castillo of San Jose de Ocoa RD$22 million, Sonia Mateo of Dajabon RD$23 million, Orlando Mercedes of Independencia RD$22.5 million, Yvonne Chain Sasso of El Seibo RD$22 million, Dionis Sanchez of Pedernales RD$23 million and Manuel Paula of Bahoruco, RD$23 million.
Amable Aristy Castro of La Altagracia RD$28 million, and Felix Vasquez of Sanchez Ramirez RD$30 million.
As reported, the senators do not want the funds assigned to the Social Management Fund to be diverted to increase the Public Health Ministry budget, as called for in a social media campaign. The deputies agreed to relinquish just RD$50,000 a month for the cause, or around RD$114 million a year.
Each senator receives a base wage of RD$125,000 plus RD$50,000 in expenses, RD$25,000 in per diems and RD$3,500 for each work session attended.