Legislators who represent La Altagracia province have requested the Medina administration to implement a development project to revitalize the blighted, low-income neighborhoods along the coastal beach area of Bávaro-Punta Cana.
Senator Amable Aristy Castro and deputies Juan Julio Campos, Hamlet Melo and Ruddy Hidalgo are demanding the project, known as the Tourism Destination Organization, be quickly implemented and be coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism to improve the quality of life for hundreds of low-income families who live in the area. The problems are especially acute in the neighborhoods of Mata Mosquito, Villa Playwood and Cruce de Friusa, where a large number of Haitians have settled.
Thousands of undocumented Haitians came with work contracts for the construction of the large resorts in the area and have overstayed their work permits arranged by the engineering companies. While many of these workers were able to legalize their status under the governmental PNRE program and others, many others who arrived without proper documents, have taken up residence the area.
Deputy Hamlet Melo reiterated that it is urgent to confront the social and health challenges of the low-income neighborhoods in the region.
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Listin Diario
7 March 2018
