Emulating the example of the 911 Emergency System, the Ministry of Environment announced the start of a hotline service to combat environmental violations nationwide. The center is named the Centro de Contacto para Atención al Usuario y Recepción de Denuncias.
At the Ministry of Environment, Domingo Rodríguez is the coordinator of the new service in the provinces. He said that the responses to complaints will be channeled through the Servicio Nacional de Protección Ambiental (SENPA), the provincial environment office, or corresponding agencies.
The hot lines are: 809 539-6400, 809 200-6400 (for toll free domestic calls) and 849 356-6400 Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm. Environmental violation reports can also be received 24/7 on social media at the accounts of @Ambienterd (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) and at the Ministry of Environment website at http://www.ambiente.gob.do
The Ministry of Environment is encouraging calls reporting fires, violations of environmental laws, illegal charcoal sales and unregulated cutting of trees.
Minister Francisco Domínguez Brito says the service has a first fleet of 20 all terrain pickups, 15 motorcycled units for quick response. He said the number of these vehicles will increase in months to come.
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Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Environment
30 June 2017
