Government emergency spending to mitigate damage from Storm Melissa has surpassed RD$11.9 billion (approximately US$195 million), according to a report from the Procurement Agency (DGCP) provided to Listín Diario.
President Luis Abinader declared a national emergency via Decree 627-25 on 31 October 2025, authorizing 23 government institutions to fast-track relief efforts across 14 affected provinces. While Hurricane Melissa did not directly impact the Dominican Republic, it brought intense rains.
The decree specified a 30-day window, legal interpretations of “business days” extended the emergency period from 31 October to 15 December 2025.
Key spending breakdown
Of the 18 emergency procurement processes initiated, 16 have been awarded, totaling RD$11,957,663,231. Major expenditures include:
• Ministry of Public Works (MOPC): RD$5 billion for roadwork and asphalt, plus an additional RD$355.8 million for general reconstruction materials.
• Economic Cafeterias (Comedores Económicos): RD$969.2 million for food and humanitarian aid.
• Administrative Ministry of the Presidency: RD$149.9 million for humanitarian aid vouchers.
• Ministry of Agriculture: RD$149.4 million for heavy machinery rentals.
The total figure is expected to climb as several major contracts remain in the final stages of evaluation. Two massive infrastructure projects managed by the MOPC, currently in the “closed” and “open envelope” stages, are projected to add over RD$5 billion combined to the final tally.
The emergency measures targeted 14 provinces, including Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, Barahona, and the National District. A total of 23 entities, ranging from the Ministry of Housing (Mivhed) to electrical distributors like Edeeste, were authorized to bypass standard bidding timelines to address the crisis.
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Listin Diario
20 January 2026