Congresswoman Lidia Esther Pérez (PRM-Puerto Plata), sister of iconic merengue artist Rubby Pérez—who tragically died alongside 232 others when the roof of the JetSet Club collapsed during a performance on 8 April 2025—has introduced a bill in the Chamber of Deputies. The initiative aims to ensure “no Dominican ever again endures” the anguish caused by the disaster, as reported in Hoy.
Titled the Supervision and Inspection of Infrastructure and Buildings Act, the proposal, submitted on 23 April 2025, seeks mandatory periodic inspections of existing structures, particularly those hosting large crowds.
“Many families, like myself, are enduring this same pain. I must mention the loss of my beloved brother, Rubby Pérez. Since this tragedy, my presence in Congress carries added meaning: to ensure no other Dominican ever suffers as we are suffering now,” the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) legislator stated.
Pérez highlighted that Dominican law currently only regulates oversight of construction projects under the 1982 Law 62-00 but lacks mechanisms to inspect already operational buildings. She emphasized the urgency of applying such inspections to hospitals, schools, and high-occupancy venues.
“Exactly 22 days ago, our country and the world mourned. The hardest part is that we’ve had to gradually return to daily life and responsibilities—because life goes on—but I confess with a bitter feeling, as the pain deepens each day,” she said.
The congresswoman urged lawmakers to approve the bill, driven by collective and personal grief: “This proposal has a name and a face: pain. It is pain with hope that Dominicans never again endure such tragedies. I resist the idea of continuing to approve moments of silence without taking action to prevent entirely avoidable deaths.”
“This initiative stems from the deepest part of my heart, driven by my duty as a citizen and legislator to every Dominican. We must abandon omissions and establish accountability,” she concluded.
There are 32 legal procedures submitted against the owners of the JetSetClub.
Read more in Spanish:
Hoy
N Digital
1 May 2025