National heritage monuments that commemorate struggles for freedom and independence are in a poor state of repair and uncared for according to a report recently published by the Listin Diario. The report comes out a week before the celebration of Independence Day on 27 February 2018. Many of these monuments are today hideouts for criminals and the shelters for the homeless, with little intervention from the authorities.
In a week’s time it will be National Independence Day and the little square La Trinitaria built during the Balaguer administration to honor the original independence fighters is all but abandoned and full of refuse, unsafe with a strong smell of urine and contaminated by a nearby well. The Plazoleta La Trinitaria is located at the intersection of Josefa Brea and the access to the city or to the bridges crossing the Ozama River to the eastern side of Greater Santo Domingo. The Listin Diario reports that although the authorities have long been aware that the square, constructed in 1966, is in a poor condition; even the municipal police avoid it given the number of assaults that have taken place there.
Another abandoned monument is the Juan Pablo Duarte monument, between Las Americas Expressway and San Isidro Avenue. The bust of Duarte at the monument is surrounded by a small amphitheater, bathrooms, stairs and green areas are all deteriorating, full of trash, old clothes and graffiti. The bathrooms and offices at the monument are occupied by homeless individuals.
The Gate of Mercy (Puerta de la Misericordia), Independence Park and Plaza de la Bandera (Av. 27 de Febrero and Av. Gregorio Luperón are all in need of care although not in such as bad state as those mentioned previously.
The president of the Commission for Heritage of the Country, Juan Daniel Balcácer, warns that the historical memory of the country will disappear if these monuments are not protected adequately.
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Listin Diario
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Destelao
21 February 2018
