2000 – Page 144

The Ministry of Public Health alerted the population to a cold virus that is affecting Dominicans. Dr. Octavio Ceballos said that the virus is less virulent than last year’s virus known as "Kosovo." He said it primarily affects those with weak immune systems. He urged people in the DR to drink lots of fluids, constantly …

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The Ministry of Public Works announced it is accelerating construction works of 20 mega infrastructure projects primarily located in the capital and Santiago, the second largest Dominican city. The Ministry hopes to finish these by 16 August. These include: Overpass of Ortega y Gasset with Kennedy La Isabela Airport Supreme Court building Migration and Passport …

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The first 100 of a 2,000 yellow cab fleet purchased by the government are offering their services on city streets. Angel Manuel Segura, of the Oficina Tecnica de Transporte Terrestre said that the taxis are charging RD$10 upon boarding and RD$3 per kilometer. They are operating primarily on the Avenida Maximo Gomez, 27 de Febrero …

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Yesterday, the DR1 Daily News made a story sweeter than it was. Headlined "Sweet Turnover," the story was about a truck loaded with sugar that turned over at Las Americas Highway. The story mentioned it was loaded with a 42,000-ton cargo. This was wrong. It should have read 42,000 lbs.

President-elect Hipólito Mejía said he would continue the fiscal policy, international relations, consolidation of the climate of democracy and liberty in the country that he inherits from the Leonel Fernández government. Speaking on the Gordo de la Semana Sunday variety show, he criticized the Fernández administration for not combatting corruption in government, and vowed to …

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President-elect Hipólito Mejía said he would announce his cabinet in 10 days. Mejía says his cabinet members have already been chosen. This would be a first time cabinet members are announced three months prior to their taking office. Mejía had ample time to plan his presidency, as all throughout the campaign he maintained a comfortable …

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President-elect Hipólito Mejía said that he will eliminate the ministries without portfolio and deputy ministry posts that were created in this government. He said the government makes disbursements of RD$1,200 million for these. The Fernández government appointed a record number of deputy ministers. Despite the law establishing an average of two per ministry, in some …

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Dr. Jesus Feris Iglesias, a member of the National Commission of Health of the Hipólito 2000 Presidential Project said that the PRD government would decentralize health services. He said their plan is to strengthen primary care services in the barrios and slum areas to make it unnecessary for most of the population to have to …

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The Listin Diario newspaper says that Hipólito Mejia has confirmed his support to the celebration of the Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic. The games are slated to be held in summer of 2003 in Santo Domingo. Hipólito Mejía described himself as a close friend of Dr. Jose Joaquin Puello, president of the Dominican …

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Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez joined the debate over whether the 50%+1 absolute majority vote needed to win the presidential elections in the first round will be reduced. The PRD and the PRSC favor the reduction. The PLD is opposed. Ramón Morel Cerda, president of the Junta Central Electoral, the body in charge of …

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