The government authorized a RD$200-million payment to the importers of propane gas at the same time that Finance Minister Vicente Bengoa announced the gradual reduction of the subsidy on propane that is the root cause for the current propane quandary. The new president of the refinery, Aristides Fernandez Zucco, told reporters from the Listin Diario that there was sufficient propane to supply the market for the next few days and that they were expecting a new load of five million gallons shortly. Meanwhile, Arturo Santana, who doubles as the president of both the Association of Propane Importers and Coastal, told reporters that Coastal had 630,000 gallons of LPG on hand, which would be enough to last until Friday when the good ship Emilan arrives with another 1.8 million gallons. Santana said that Coastal had received three more shiploads than normal in order to stabilize the situation after 16 August. Minister Bengoa announced that in the next few days they plan to gradually reduce the subsidy on propane for general use and bring the focus onto the poorer sectors and families. Bengoa indicated there would be a card that would be distributed by the “Plan Social” and the Industry & Commerce Ministry.