The Ministry of Environment may have authorized the construction of a view-blocking fence along the Barahona panoramic highway to a company property of Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo. A report in El Nacional says that, if so, it would be in violation of articles 145 and 146, 148 of Law 64-00 and Law 305-68. As reported, the authorization allowed for the construction of the wall 30 meters from the sea, instead of the legal 60 meters established by law. As reported, the company said it would present a decree from the Presidency authorizing the exception.
El Nacional carried statements by priest Manuel Hidalgo Féliz, of La Ciénaga, who says Minister Castillo purchased and is remodeling the Bahoruco Beach Resort in La Ciénaga, Barahona. The priest of the Nuestra Señora de Fátima church in La Ciénaga says that the wall is approximately two meters high and extends for more than 1.5 km along the panoramic coastal road. La Ciénaga mayor Kevin Féliz says that the wall was not authorized by the town councilors.
The priest says the illegal construction is an abuse of his power as minister. He said the height of the wall impedes those driving along the panoramic highway from enjoying the panorama.
Director of public relations for the Ministry of Public Works Juan Pérez Recio, told El Nacional journalists that the hotel already had a wall that they took down and rebuilt in all its extension. Perez argued it was private property. He did not deny the Minister of Public Works is the new owner of the Bahoruco Beach Resort. Reports are that Gonzalo paid RD$30 million for the property that is under renovation.
