2001 – Page 218

Ana (Nani) Martinez, formerly press director of the Ministry of Foreign Relations and ambassador in charge of public relations (1996-2000), is the new Information Specialist at USIA. Ana E. Martínez (Nani) is a journalist of well-known experience in the Dominican and foreign news media. A specialist in Latin American studies and communications, a graduate of …

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Minister of Education, Vice President Milagros Ortiz Bosch told Hoy newspaper that only 47% of students that enter the public school system finish grade school. An estimated 8% graduate from high school. Recently, a press report indicated that only 15% of those that enter the state university graduate. The UASD has an enrollment of about …

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A big explosion last night at the Arroyo Hondo propane gas station, located at Avenida República de Colombia, seriously injured four persons. During the explosion five vehicles destroyed and there was much panic among the neighbors. The accident occurred when a pick up was being filled up with gas. Reportedly, the driver of the vehicle …

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President Hipolito Mejía said yesterday that he never tires of work, and that he suffers from a sickness known as "workaholicism." The Chief Executive said that he could work effortlessly 18 hours a day, without tiring because he has 30 years practice. According to a report in El Siglo, Mejía said he could handle the …

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The former Director of the Dominican Social Security Institute (IDSS), Sabino Baez, said that its true that he charged personal expenses to his governmentally-issued credit card, but that he reimbursed his department RD$$600,000 he charged. Baez’s contention was confirmed by William Jana, current Director of IDSS. Yesterday’s press reported the record of Baez expenses, implying …

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El Siglo denounced what it termed the "cancerous practice" of Social Security inspectors demanding payoffs in various ways from businesses and other organizations. Two inspectors, charged with the long-standing practice that usually involves workmen’s accident compensation, have been dismissed. According to the article, a Santiago businessman, Miguel Angel Grullón, told his relative, Sergio Grullón, who …

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The Dominican Electric Corporation (CDE) denied that it has opened bidding on a project that would renovate its high tension lines with a fiber optics cable, as had been reported in the press. The story provoked harsh criticism in the electronic media. For its part, the electrical distribution company, Unión Fenosa, also denied that it …

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The government distributed its first semi-monthly salary checks to public employees on January 15.. Having done away with once-a-month salary disbursements, the government is now in harmony with the private sector, which typically pays employees on the 15 and 30 of each month.

The Hotel Montaña, in Jarabacoa, and Hotel La Mansión, in San José de las Matas, have been transferred by the Public Enterprise Reform Commission (CREP) to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. The two inoperative state-owned hotels will be used to stage programs for the conservation, protection, improvement, and restoration of the environment and …

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A former Administrative Secretary to the President, Rafael Flores Estrella (PRD 1982-86), warned President Hipólito Mejía that a dangerous situation might emerge in the country in the next few months, if he is not attentive to the grievances of various sectors regarding newly enacted taxes. He told Hoy newspaper aaaaathat "when in a society as …

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