2003 – Page 97

The torrential downpours that have been felt in the North of the Dominican Republic, and especially in the Cibao Valley, have forced authorities to open five of the six floodgates on the Tavera Dam. The inclement weather has forced hundreds to seek shelter on higher ground and caused the loss of several dozen homes. The …

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The Internal Revenue office has announced a two-week extension for car and jeep owners to renew their license plates. The DGII was forced to go back on the Decree 726-03 that said that the absolute limit for getting the new plates would be the 15 November. As of today, about 300,000 vehicles have renewed their …

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According to the front-page story in the El Caribe, there are 77 propane stations in the city of Santo Domingo, several of which are operating outside the law. Last week one propane facility located in the Villas Agricolas area exploded, injuring dozens and causing panic across a six block area of upper Santo Domingo. While …

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El Caribe reports that the makers of the most popular beers in the Dominican Republic, Presidente, Quisqueya and Bohemia, have been forced to raise prices by 13%, due to increased costs. This hike is the latest in a total of 23% in price increases this year. In a press statement read by the Dominican Association …

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According to Jairon Severino of the economic section of the Listin Diario, exports of non-traditional farm products have risen at an annual rate of 12.9% over the past ten years. With this in mind, the Dominican Agro-Business Board (JAD) is proposing a program to support these items. With traditional agricultural exports (sugar, tobacco, coffee and …

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Representatives of wholesalers, retailers and importers gathered at Hoy newspaper’s offices to discuss the possible effects of the proposals made last week by the National Council of Private Business (CONEP). In summary, the group called the proposals inflationary, saying that the proposed indexation would cause gasoline to rise to RD$100 per gallon. One speaker, Domingo …

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According to the Listin Diario and Hoy newspapers, the PRD party of President Hipolito Mejia has convened two nominating conventions. One of the conventions is being organized by Peggy Cabral and the re-electionist wing of the party -an ironic occurrence in view of the fact that Cabral is the widow of Jose Francisco Pena Gomez, …

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The PRSC political party is also on the verge of division because of internal struggles. Over the weekend, the PRSC party that was left leaderless with the death of Joaquin Balaguer, seemed to be facing a split. Last Friday, the party faction that is headed by former VP Jacinto Peynado, was expelled from the party. …

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Dominican political parties do not seem to be much affected by the current economic crisis, having spent RD$46.5 million on publicity since September. Leonel Fernandez leads the way with RD$12 million spent on TV spots. The combined televised ad campaigns have cost the various candidates nearly one quarter of the RD$204 million allocated in the …

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Hoy newspaper reports a toll of five arrests, one death and one injured, following a joint operation of Dominican and Haitian forces, in which 77-year old cattleman Benigno Lantigua was rescued from his captors in Poningo, Haiti, over the weekend. A 30-year old ex-policeman was killed and a former member of the army was wounded. …

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