2005 – Page 160

President Leonel Fernandez has ordered the power distribution companies (which are over 65% government owned) to crack down hard on those industries and businesses that are caught stealing electricity. He asked the National Energy Commission to work up legislation that would establish stronger penalties for those caught stealing power, often by rigging meters. He made …

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Meanwhile, today’s Hoy newspaper reports that Luis Arthur, speaking for the Association of Industries of Herrera, complained that the government is itself in breach of the General Electricity Law. He said that the industrial sector should start legal processes to oblige the government to respect the requirements of the law. He mentioned that the law …

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Minister of Tourism, Felix Jimenez, told El Caribe reporters that his ministry owes more than US$5 million to different agencies in different parts of the world, including Europe, the United States and Canada. Even worse, there have been court sentences condemning the Dominican Republic for non-payment. Apparently, the former administration had run up debts with …

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The cost of a hospital stay at one of Santo Domingo’s private clinics ranges from RD$6,000 to RD$12,000 per day, excluding the doctor’s bills. Journalist Doris Pantaleon writes in today’s Listin Diario that if the treatment consists of cardio-vascular surgery or intensive care, the families have to “put their trust in God” since these are …

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The Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD held its convention on Sunday, but so far no results have been released to the press. In Santiago and several other places there were some logistical difficulties, but in general, the voting for new party posts went off with no major problems. According to the El Caribe, voting was halted …

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The circle is tightening around anyone with any connection to accused drug baron Quirino Paulino Castillo, alias The Don. In spite of the grim predictions from United States ambassador Hans Hertell, who asked for more discretion in releasing the names of the people wanted for extradition by the United States, several more arrests have been …

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Some industries have closed their doors and others have halted their installation processes. In general, confusion and bewilderment are the main reactions around the areas of Montecristi and Santiago Rodriguez, regarding the effects that the modifications of Law 28-01 will have on the 18 industries already established in the region. According to the Listin Diario, …

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The humble mango, a Dominican fruit par excellence, has made it into the United States market at last. The Listin Diario revealed that the United States inspectors had approved the newly built facility in the city of Moca, Espaillat province, and that the first shipment of 546 boxes of mangos were sent out last week. …

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There are 400,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 working in the Dominican Republic. Over the past four years only 2,000 have been “rescued” by the authorities. While officials talk about advances made in stamping out child labor, hundreds of children leave their studies in order to work for a living. Children may …

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The DR got off to a good start in the 4th Pan American Cup taking place in Santo Domingo. Competing in Pool A, the DR has defeated Argentina, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The DR as of Sunday, 12 June was tied with Brazil for first place in Pool A. In Pool B, Cuba and the …

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