Despite major opposition by residents in Santo Domingo East, the Ministry of Environment has given green light for the construction of a bus terminal in eastern Santo Domingo. The problem is that the site chosen by the Ministry of Public Works for the terminal cuts a chunk out of the Mirador del Este Park, the main recreational area of eastern Santo Domingo. Environmentalists argue the terminal will affect park activity and the flora fauna the Los Tres Ojos natural attraction, right beside the construction site.
As reported in an editorial in El Dia on 1 October 2018, the Ministry of Environment has issued the “no objection” letter to the construction. But El Dia reporters say that many of the technicians that are usually responsible for the issuing of the document at the Ministry, speaking anonymously, say they have no knowledge that this was issued.
The protests by residents are expected to continue. As reported in El Dia, the letter of “no objection” was issued on 7 September 2018 after the community had deposited a legal recourse protesting the construction of the terminal before the Superior Administrative Court (TSA) on 4 September 2018. The court ruled in favor of the suspension of the construction. But the Ministry of Public Works has not desisted from the construction. The TSA is the government court that revises the correct application of government procedures.
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El Dia
El Dia
1 October 2018
