1997 – Page 5

Make a note of the 11 official holidays in the Dominican Republic for 1998. As of last year, and per law 139-97, holidays that fall on a Tuesday or Wednesday will be celebrated on the previous Monday, and those that fall on Thursday or Friday will be celebrated on the following Monday, with the exception …

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The world’s fourth largest airline, Northwest Airlines, began service to the Dominican Republic on 20 December. This is a regularly scheduled flight that operates once weekly (Saturdays) with 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. Northwest becomes the first major airline to offer direct air service from the Midwest. The service is nonstop from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. However, …

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The Licey Tigers continue in first place in the Dominican Winter Baseball League, a game and a half behind by the Escogido Lions. The Aguilas, Estrellas, Gigantes and Azucareros are fighting to classify in the first four to win the right to play in the round robin that begins mid January. Julio Cesar Franco continues …

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There is much speculation that the largest opposition party, Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD), could break up, following the decision of Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez to call for a new primary to elect the mayor of Santo Domingo, citing irregularities in the election that affected 10% of the votes. Peña Gómez explained that more votes …

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The National Police confiscated over 3,400 motorcycles on the first day of its operative to oblige motorcyclists to use protective helmets. The Police had given the motorcyclists 10 days to purchase, or begin using, protective helmets. The deadline was 22 December. The Police has been successful in reducing the number of accidents by arresting, for …

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Cuba officially reopened its consulate in the Dominican Republic which had been closed 33 years ago. Miguel Cruz Pérez, consul general and official representative of the Cuban government, commended Latin American businessmen for not being intimidated by the U.S. trade blockade. He pointed out that Cuba today has relations with 163 countries of the world, …

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Electricity service improved yesterday as the Smith-Enron and Los Minas VI power plants increased their supply of power to the national electricity grid. Service is expected to improve further when the recently rehabilitated Haina IV plant comes on line at the end of the month.

Moisés Marchena, the Barahona businessman who was arrested for his alleged participation in the irregular appropriation of government lands in the Bahia de las Aguilas beach area, was sent to the Monte Plaza jail by the district attorney’s office. Marchena has said that the move against him is political, and seeks to stop Pedernales senator …

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According to results from the Gallup-Hoy newspaper poll, the Dominican people would like to see an improvement in the economy and energy crisis, a drop in food prices and an increase in job opportunities. Thirty-one percent wished for an improvement of the economy, 15% asked for an improvement of the energy situation, 8.8% called for …

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The Listín Diario estimates that dinner for five to eight family members could cost between RD$600 and RD$3,000. With RD$600 as the minimum, guandules and rice, potato salad, chicken, bread, fruit, sweets and wine could be served.