In an address to the nation on Monday, 4 January 2021, President Luis Abinader acknowledged that Dominicans are tired of the pandemic. He spoke of the strains of the pandemic on the armed forces, the police and the health care workers. Nevertheless, he appealed to the population to make the final efforts to prevent the spread of the disease now that the vaccines are “a light at the end of the tunnel.”
In an effort to provide for food security and decent jobs in 2021, President Luis Abinader announced on Monday, 4 January 2021 a new package of government measures. The measures target the most vulnerable households.
As of May 2021, the program “Eating is First” (Comer es Primero) will become “Get Well” (Superate) targeting one million households that will each receive RD$1,650 per month, in addition to other government subsidies in education and employment. He said the “Stay at Home” (Quedate en Casa) program will be extended until April 2021.
The President indicated that the ProSoli Agency will coordinate the Supérate program, working closely with other public institutions. The ministries of Labor and Higher Education, and the Institute for Technical and Vocational Trainining (Infotep) and other institutions will work with those who have lost their jobs so they can acquire new skills and find decent work.
Abinader explained the government also has programs to provide solidarity assistance to farmers so they can increase their production and place their products in the markets at good prices. Food security programs are coordinated with the Social Plan of the Presidency, the Government Cafeterias Program (Comedores Economicos), and the National Institute of Student Welfare (Inabie) that provides meals and snacks public schools.
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Presidency
5 January 2021