The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) is the majority in Congress after winning the most seats in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. This majority gave the party the vote to pass another 45-day extension of the National State of Emergency. The argument is that the measures are needed to combat Covid-19. Yet, this is the same political party that when opposition in Congress said that the National Health Law had dispositions to adequately deal with the coronavirus, making continuing the state of emergency unnecessary.
The National State of Emergency comes in handy because it reduces requirements and simplifies government procurement. Now, the Abinader administration announces it is going ahead with the RD$15 billion purchase of equipment for the online programs implemented by the Ministry of Education for public schools nationwide. The acquisition would be the largest ever carried out by the Dominican government.
Veteran journalist Altagracia Salazar has dubbed the purchase a possible “Punta Fulcar,” making the comparison to what the Punta Catalina coal-fired power plant has been to the past Medina administration. She is also critical that such a large purchase be made with such rush. She made the points on her morning radio show on 26 November 2020 that the wealthy and large businesses do not rush big purchases.
Listen to the concerns at:
Altagracia Salazar Sin Maquillaje