The PRD-majority Senate yesterday approved the bill that incorporates major changes in the Sectoral Protected Areas Bill. The proposal now passes on to the Executive Branch for its conversion into law. The removal of large areas of interest to tourism and mining developers from the protected status allowed to national park lands has had the emphatic support of President Hipolito Mejia, who is expected to ratify the law shortly. The bill received a favorable vote from 22 of the 23 senators present. Only Senator Jose Tomas Perez (PLD-National District) voted against the bill, saying, ?If we want to destroy the country, this is the best way to do it.? The modifications have met with very strong opposition in Dominican society, but the PRD legislators brought it through Congress, ignoring pleas to have the legislation subject to expert opinion prior to making any changes. Environmental bodies are preparing to make a case against the bill on the grounds that such a law is in violation of the Constitution of the Republic.
El Caribe newspaper?s editorial says that today should be a day of national mourning for the Congressional approval of the bill.