The successful management of the Covid-19 pandemic, advances towards universal health care, and the economy’s recovery are the three shining stars of the first year of the Abinader administration.
After TDGrace rained out the traditional 16 August annual rendition at the National Assembly (Congress), President Luis Abinader chose the backdrop of flag-colored lighting, dozens of national flags and the majestic steps of the Presidential Palace to present the achievements of his first year in government on 18 August 2021. The logo of the government is the Presidential Palace, and President Abinader has chosen to hold most of his activities at the government seat. President Abinader is also very active as the country’s main spokesperson.
Differently from other renditions of accounts, President Abinader chose to enter the stage accompanied only by First Lady Raquel Arbaje and his three adult daughters. The President wore a suit and black tie and the presidential family was also dressed in formal black and white. The President usually speaks to the nation in guayabera.After a choir performed the National Anthem, the First Lady and daughters took their seats with cabinet members to hear the presidential address.
Over the past week, there have been dozens of reports in the media on what has been achieved by the new administration and what is ahead. It would seem all had been said. The President kept his speech short. He spoke for just half an hour, the shortest August rendition of accounts ever.
The President spoke of how the Dominican Republic has become an example to the world today for its management of the Covid-19 pandemic. Abinader highlighted the low case-fatality rate, and the availability of vaccines. He stressed the DR is in the top 10 of countries with most of adults fully vaccinated. He said the country even has booster shots available at demand. He called for a round of applause and recognition to the representation of the country’s medical staff that was invited to the event.
He highlighted the recovery of the tourism and free zone sectors and spoke of the forecasts for improvements over pre-pandemic levels. He spoke of how the international reserves are up to new levels at US$12.6 billion, and how the Dominican Republic is the Central American and Caribbean leader in foreign direct investment with US$3 billion this year. He highlighted the private sector’s trust in government and how the recent minimum wage agreements is evidence of the good relations.
“I will not tire, and I will not be tired,” President Luis Abinader told the audience. He said that his first year has proven to him that much can be achieved if people are aligned to the same objective and there are adequate policies in place. The President is definitely bullish on the Dominican Republic “Our country has the conditions needed to shine with its own light and to development into a first-world nation,” he said.
He said serious structural problems that got worse with the Covid-19 pandemic are the obstacles on the way. He spoke of how 60% of the debt that has been taken on in his government has been to pay past debts.
“We all want to make fast changes, I am aware, but we need to do things right so that the reforms we are implementing are not be reversible and the real transformation of the country be made,” he said.
In his speech he said the past education authorities did not prepare for school in a pandemic year and praised the remote learning through television and radio solution implemented as a way to salvage the 2020-2021 school year. Education Minister Roberto Fulcar has been one of the most criticized in his administration, especially for his past strong stand that impeded private schools reopening for in-person learning while giving priority to digital learning and a billionaire electronic device purchase order that the Procurement Agency would revoke for irregularities. In his speech, Abinader did not mention the digital learning program.
Abinader listed structural reforms his administration is backing. He called for the support of the political class to consolidate these structural changes many of which require reforming the Constitution. He announced the intention to seek constitutional reforms this year. These reforms would touch upon the public prosecution and would continue to advance efforts to modernize the Chamber of Accountability, Comptroller Office, electricity sector, water sector, national police, customs, education sector, health and social security, transport, digital transformation. He also spoke of fiscal code reform, labor code reform and hydrocarbons law reform.
The Abinader administration has been criticized for the low capital spending of his administration. As reported int he media, the government has spent but 20% of what is allotted to capital expenditures in the National Budget. In his rendition of accounts, President Abinader said that the government has had to deal with making payments on indebtedness taken on by past administrations and on readying the projects so these comply fully with the law.
He presented a list of major infrastructure projects that he said have taken time to ready for tenders. On the list of works is a monorail transport connecting the Km. 9 of Duarte Highway with 27 of February Expressway in Santo Domingo onto Las Americas International Airport. He spoke of the 27 Febrero and Isabel Aguiar road solution and extension of a Santo Domingo metro line in the National District. He mentioned construction of the bypasses underway in Peravia (Baní), Azua, San Francisco de Macorís and Moca. He spoke of transport solutions contemplated for Santiago.
He mentioned the construction and remodeling of several hospitals.
He mentioned the Pedernales tourism project with the start of construction of the road accesses. He also spoke of the Manzanillo port and power generation project for which a tender is underway.
Many of these projects would be carried out with public-private alliances.
Abinader spoke with pride of the election of independent judges and members for the Central Electoral Board (JCE), Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and the ombudsman.
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Presidency
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Diario Libre
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Diario Libre
19 August 2021