2005 – Page 176

US political analyst Johathan Hartlyn, professor of Political Science and a specialist in Latin American politics, has warned that the party system in the DR could enter a great crisis if political organizations do not make use of the current situation to introduce important internal changes. He pointed out that the divisions that have taken …

Read more…

Lawyer Robert Alvarez writes in El Caribe about the importance for the Dominican community of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S. 1033/H.R. 2330) introduced on 12 May to the US Congress that opens the US to immigrant workers by creating a temporary visa. At the end of this time, temporary workers …

Read more…

The agreement signed by the Ministry of Labor (SET) and the Italian company Cruise Ship Catering and Services International NV for the recruitment of 900 Dominicans to work as waiters, bartenders, kitchen workers and housekeepers sent a throng of 1,000 Dominicans to file their CVs at the department yesterday. For the jobs, 8th grade schooling …

Read more…

41 year old Danilo Vicioso who lives in Casa de Campo, La Romana, swimming in the 40-44 years group for the Dominican Republic in the United States Masters Short Course Swimming Championships in Florida, a preparatory event for the world swimming masters, won bronze in the 100 back with a time of 56.62. He also …

Read more…

President Leonel Fernandez was in San Francisco, California over the weekend to attend the unveiling at SBC Park of the statue honoring baseball hall of famer Juan Marichal, recognized as the best pitcher in history of the San Francisco Giants. During the event, President Fernandez invited Barry Bonds to visit. Bonds accepted and commented he …

Read more…

President Leonel Fernandez is scheduled to travel to Boston, Massachusetts in June. He is set to receive a honorary degree at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) in a ceremony scheduled for Friday, 3 June. Fernandez is honored for his leadership and promotion of democracy in his country and beyond. See http://www.umb.edu/news/2005news/releases/may/commencement/fernandez.html

Superintendent of Pensions, Persia Alvarez favors that RD$7 billion of the RD$18 billion deposited in pension plans be used to finance housing units. She explained that since the pension funds are long-term deposits, these are appropriate for mortgage financing. She explained, nevertheless, changes are needed so that the deeds allow this. She told the press …

Read more…

The Ministry of Public Works announced a RD$75 million budget to repair the important road to Constanza, at present under major disrepair. Constanza is an important agriculture-producing mountain valley that is also known for its many small mountain hamlets for vacationing. El Caribe points out that the Ministry of Public Works is also looking into …

Read more…

The Superior Education Minister Ligia Amada Melo reported 50-70% desertion levels in Dominican universities. Speaking during the First Multisectoral Encounter for Excellence in Dominican Education held at INTEC University, she also said that there are 336,000 students registered in Dominican higher learning centers, and 11,000 teachers. Of the total of students, 4% are enrolled in …

Read more…

Miriam Diaz Santana, director of Planning of the Fundacion APEC, writes in Hoy newspaper that if President Leonel Fernandez really wanted to demonstrate that education is really a priority of his government, he has only to increase funding to regional levels. She points out that despite the President on several occasions declaring education the top …

Read more…