Smog in the early morning continues to affect residents in the National District, Santo Domingo West, Santo Domingo North and Los Alcarrizos. Domingo Contreras, director of Special Programs for the Presidency (DIGEPEP), suspects the smoke that has been affecting Greater Santo Domingo for the last three days was due to an accidental fire on a farm next to the Duquesa garbage dump. He explained that sparks from the fire reached the dump, igniting trash and debris that has contributed to the poor air quality affecting many residents.
The director of the Special Programs of the Presidency (DIGEPEP) Domingo Contreras said that the government is working on a new garbage system. He explained that the process for the operational technical closure at Duquesa involves two processes. One for arming the pits for maintaining ordinary garbage and closing areas, covering and giving treatment. In some cases, forestry coverage is being planted. And while this process is underway, a new structure will be built.
Contreras also explained that there are proposals that are being worked on for a new location, but affirmed that it will be in the same environment in the Santo Domingo North municipality, because the conditions are given and technically from studies carried out it is the right place. “We are proposing a recovery center with manual mechanical separation equipment, where part of the current garbage “divers” can become formal employees with better conditions,” he said. He said that in the case of Duchess, it is the largest garbage management project in the country and that is why DIGEPEP proposes that it be done with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) or the World Bank.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Environment announced it has reinforced security at the Duquesa garbage dump after fires broke out on Monday and Tuesday, 2-3 April 2018 sending smog and over northern and central Greater Santo Domingo.
Francisco Flores Chang, director of the government commission that is provisionally managing the dump, said that the fire had been controlled 90% on Tuesday, but again smoke filled the city’s skies on the early morning of Wednesday, 4 April. The fire initially broke out after the Easter Week holiday when security was at a low at the garbage deposit. He said that Armed Forces helicopters had assisted in putting out the fire. In order to extinguish the fire, also earth is being moved as it is not possible to extinguish it with water.
In the meantime some public schools in the area cancelled classes, early morning sports classes at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center were affected and hospitals say several people are suffering from breathing difficulties.
The Ministry of Public Health recommended people to stay indoors and to use special masks or wet cloths when outdoors while the situation is maintained. Santo Domingo residents are also recommended to keep hydrated.
Johnny Jones, secretary general of the Dominican Municipal League (LMD) when speaking for the Santo Domingo municipal zones, said: “Wbat we are living today is the exploding of the time bomb that we had alerted.” He said a definitive solution would not be available until two years time. He said efforts are underway for an integral solution at the level of developed cities around the world.
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Listin Diario
El Caribe
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
4 April 2018
