President Luis Abinader created the Decentralization Cabinet to strengthen local governments.
The Presidency made the announcement on the occasion of the commemoration of the National Municipalities Day.
The announcement comes less than three months from the opening of the electoral campaigns for the election of city governments nationwide in February 2024.
The Ministry of Public Administration (MAP) and the Dominican Municipal League (LMD) launched the Decentralization Cabinet to strengthen the competencies, professionalization and resources available to the local governments of the country. This is a step to bolster the response capacity of the government and impact the quality of life of Dominican families.
The Decentralization Cabinet is created in compliance with Article 204 of the Constitution that promotes the transfer of competencies and resources to local governments. The central government will transfer more resources to local governments for a closer and more efficient management of resources and public policies.
President Abinader also announced a program for the titling of municipal land through the Dominican Municipal League among actions to strengthen city governments.
The President announced that RD$2 billion had already been transferred to the Dominican Municipal League (LMD), of which RD$1.5 billion are being allocated for the start of an asphalting program, which is in the bidding process, and RD$500 million for infrastructure construction and other needs of local governments.
The President recalled the measures are taken for the good of the municipality, highlighting that in the year 2022, RD$4 billion were transferred to the LMD for the construction of infrastructure works of municipal competence, as well as the contribution made for the payment of the Christmas salary to the municipal public servants.
The President was critical of city governments. In making the announcement of increased central government support, Abinader called for these to do more. He mentioned the need for more construction of sidewalks on main streets. “I personally feel that we have done little. We have done more than at other times but we have to advance more,” said the President.
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Presidency
Listin Diario
26 April 2023