The Abinader administration announces the traditional bag with Christmas meal goods will not be distributed this year. The government instead has located 600,000 very poor through the Suiben database and will be handing out around 400,000 to churches and benefit organizations for these to distribute the cash cards to the poor over the holidays.
The coordinator of the Abinader administration Social Policy Cabinet, Francisco Antonio Peña Guaba (Tony) explains the bonuses will be distributed through Siuben government electronic cards. The pre-paid cash cards can be used at colmados and supermarkets nationwide.
Peña Guaba first announced the Christmas bonus on the Esta Noche con Mariasela TV show. Later, Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ignacio Paliza and other government officers confirmed the news. President Luis Abinader himself explained that the cash cards are similar to the Solidaridad cards and will enable people to get the assistance without the agglomerations of previous years.
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Diario Libre
El Nuevo Diario
11 November 2020