President Luis Abinader used a short address at the end of his first month in government to remind the Dominican people that he intends to keep his promise to combat corruption and impunity in government. He spoke of the Dominican government’s reengineering to eliminate duplicated structures, reduce wasteful spending, and make funds available for urgent needs. “There will not be impunity for those who have embezzled public funds,” he said in closing the five-minute first-month wrap-up that was televised from the Presidential Palace at 8pm on 16 September 2020. Abinader had promised to communicate frequently in contrast to his predecessor, Danilo Medina.
In his address, Abinader mentioned the urgent actions taken to restock to combat Covid-19, including the purchase of more PCR tests. He spoke of efforts to make health insurance available for all Dominicans in the country. In the first month, the government has affiliated around 200,000 of a goal of signing on 2 million. He also spoke of hiring 1,000 unemployed physicians and the integration of city governments and neighborhood boards to efforts to provide early medical attention to those sick with Covid-19.
He said the government is spending RD$40 billion so that students do not lose the 2020-2021 school year. The Ministry of Education has authorized only remote learning (TV, radio, Internet).
He mentioned the government has assisted the tourism sector with RD$420 million. The Abinader administration Tourism Responsible Recovery Plan began 16 September. It includes travel insurance for tourists staying at Dominican hotels.
Abinader spoke of the implementation of Public-Private Partnership Law 47-20 with a first focus on the hotel development in Pedernales, Manzanillo Port in Montecristi and the shortcut highway to Puerto Plata from Santiago. This is part of efforts to reactivate the economy.
He spoke of RD$500 million in zero-interest credits to farmers through the Agriculture Bank.
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Presidency
17 September 2020