A significant environmental undertaking aimed at revitalizing the Yaque del Norte River was officially announced on Monday, 14 April 2025 by the Santiago City Hall (Alcaldía de Santiago) and the Economic and Social Development Council of Santo Domingo (CODESSD), in collaboration with key local entities ACIS, APEDI, and CDES. The ambitious “Yaque del Norte Green Women Network” program will focus on a circular economy model and place over 150 women at the forefront of environmental stewardship in Santiago, backed by an investment exceeding RD$14 million.
The initiative will progressively work to clean up the vital river through the collection and recycling of solid waste. It also includes community education initiatives centered on environmental care, all driven by the leadership of more than 150 women from various riverside communities.
During the launch event held at the Santiago City Hall, Mayor Ulises Rodríguez emphasized the program’s potential to transform ecological challenges into development opportunities. “This program reflects our vision: to transform our environment through citizen participation, female empowerment, and the sustainable use of our natural resources,” he stated.
Mayor Rodríguez further highlighted the project’s anticipated impact on cooperative ventures and the creation of women-led micro-enterprises, fostering a culture of respect and care for the most important river in the northern region of the country.
Samuel Sena, president of CODESSD, noted that this new phase builds upon the successful experience of the “CODESSD Green Women Network” in Santo Domingo East. “Now, the Yaque del Norte Green Women Network is born in Santiago, with the same spirit of female empowerment but adapted to local realities. We will build a powerful network that integrates environmental education, financial training, and social entrepreneurship,” Sena affirmed.
The inter-institutional agreement formalizing the project was signed by the Santiago City Hall, the Santiago Association of Merchants and Industrialists (ACIS), the Council for Strategic Development of the City and Municipality of Santiago (CDES), the Association for Development Inc. (APEDI), and CODESSD, with technical and financial support from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MIMARENA).
The agreement outlines an action plan that includes the progressive cleanup of the river, the establishment of community recycling centers, environmental education campaigns, and the implementation of technical training programs for participating women.
The collaborating institutions agreed that CODESSD will be responsible for the technical and financial execution of the program, ensuring transparency in the use of resources, as well as continuous impact evaluation and accountability to the public.
During the press conference, representatives from the involved organizations reiterated their commitment to the preservation of natural resources and the improvement of living conditions for communities residing near the Yaque del Norte River.
The program, developed over nearly a year of technical studies, feasibility analyses, and the exchange of best practices, aims to become a replicable model nationwide, promoting community involvement in environmental protection.
A central pillar of the project is the inclusion of women. The integration of over 150 women as key actors not only strengthens environmental action but also promotes their economic autonomy and social leadership.
Plans also include recycling fairs, community cleanup days, as well as school contests and mass awareness campaigns, all with the goal of fostering an ecological culture within the city.
Mayor Ulises Rodríguez asserted that this project propels Santiago towards a modern, participatory, and environmentally responsible vision, expressing gratitude for the support of the business sector, civil society, and international organizations that have shown interest in backing the initiative.
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El Jacaguero
N Digital
16 April 2025