The Senate approved four international loans totaling US$275 million on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 despite opposition from opposition lawmakers. The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) has the majority in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
The loan requests were previously submitted by the Executive Branch and endorsed by the Finance Committee chaired by Senator Guillermo Lama (PRM-Bahoruco).
During the session, the committee’s reports were presented and subsequently approved, following standard legislative procedure. These loans had already been ratified by the Chamber of Deputies last April, enabling the Executive Branch to formalize agreements with financial institutions.
Details of the four approved loans:
• The first loan, signed with the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), amounts to US$75 million. It aims to strengthen the national electrical infrastructure, specifically distribution areas operated by government-owned Edesur, Edeeste, and Edenorte.
• The second loan is an additional US$100 million arranged with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as part of a contingent response program to natural disasters and public health crises. This amount supplements the previously authorized US$300 million by Congress.
• A third agreement was signed with Spain’s Official Credit Institute (ICO) for US$50 million to finance the Universal Sanitation Program in Coastal and Tourist Locations. The National Institute of Potable Water and Sewage (Inapa) will execute the project.
• The fourth loan, also from the IDB, totals US$50 million and will be directed towards strengthening the health system for the prevention and management of non-communicable chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues. The Ministry of Public Health (Mispas) and the National Health Service (SNS) will oversee the implementation of this plan.
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CDN
14 May 2025