The government announced new subsidies for food and medicines under various social programs administered by former PRD mayoral candidate for Santo Domingo, Peggy Cabral, and the Social Cabinet. RD$250 million was allotted for spending in February, March and April. According to Cabral, who heads the Social Cabinet, President Mejia has authorized the additional RD$250 million as part of the ?Special Program for the Petroleum Crisis?.
There are three main areas of interest for the disbursement of these funds: food subsidies, medical subsidies, and school lunch programs. There will be 500 farmer?s markets that will receive subsidies for the sale of poultry, eggs, rice, beans, yucca and plantains.
