The Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and the seven institutions that make up Compromiso Santiago (Santiago Commitment) brought together the candidates of the three largest political parties in the country: PLD, PRM, and FP. Abel Martinez, Luis Abinader and Leonel Fernandez all spoke to a select audience at the University Theater on the main campus of the PUCMM on Friday, 12 April 2024 in the morning, presenting their proposals for Santiago and the country if elected in the 19 May elections.
President Abinader noted how his government has invested around RD$110 billion in Santiago province and nearby communities over the past three years. The amount, he said, is more than twice what the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) had invested in its previous 16 years of government. Abinader emphasized that government investments should be made in different places and not concentrated in one or two parts of the country.
Abel Martinez, recognized as a successful mayor of Santiago since 2016, recounted his experiences in making Santiago one of the cleanest cities in the country. He noted his commitment to improve the highway to Manzanillo to facilitate exports to the East Coast of the United States. He also talked about bringing in more foreign investment, and the creation of a major distribution center outside of the central part of the city. He promised to continue the construction of the monorail now underway, as well as new underpasses and overpasses to reduce traffic congestion.
Leonel Fernandez kept to general topics such as poverty, basic services and how he would improve the quality of life for all the people of the Dominican Republic. He was particularly stout on crime prevention, announcing a program to be called “Together we are safer.” Fernandez is a three-term past President of the Republic (1996-2000, 2004-2008, 2008-2012).
Tax Reform was on the program of all of the candidates.
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Listin Diario
15 April 2024