2007 – Page 334

Both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies will enjoy an ample budget for 2007, a total of RD$3.454 billion pesos. This amount includes an increase of RD$300 million for the Chamber of Deputies, while at the same time the Justice Department’s budget was slashed by over a billion pesos. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge …

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The Chief Justice of the Dominican Supreme Court has called for the creation of a Legal Council that would oversee the Justice Department. Jorge Subero Isa also placed his job at the disposal of the National Council of Magistrates so that this body could evaluate his performance as the chief magistrate of the Dominican justice …

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The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Bautista Rojas Gomez, has announced that the charges previously collected at the nation’s public hospitals will be eliminated as soon as the government-subsidized Family Health Insurance is applied. According to the minister, this change will be introduced in four regions (III, IV, V and VI), which include the provinces …

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The director of the AMET traffic police, General Jose Sigfrido Fernandez Fadul, has told reporters that due to deficiencies in Law 241 (that governs traffic violations), the small number of officers in the Metropolitan Traffic Authority, and the lack of education of many drivers make law enforcement very difficult. As reported in Listin Diario, the …

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The mayor of Santiago de los Caballeros, Jose Enrique Sued, has announced that two technicians from Spain are to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a tramway or urban rail system in Santiago. Called the Ferrocarril Metropolitano en Santiago, the rail system idea will be evaluated by experts from the Spanish firm of …

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Former President Salvador Jorge Blanco is reported to be recovering satisfactorily at Santo Domingo’s Clinica Abreu. He underwent surgery to insert a valve that would permit efficient drainage of cerebral fluid. Over the last few months, the former chief executive (1982-1986) has been suffering from a form of hydrocephaly that has prevented him from walking. …

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Once more, the issue of banana exports to Europe is garnering the attention of the agricultural sector. An apparent disarray of criteria among the different interest groups has relegated one of the chief non-traditional exports to the back burner. According to Hoy newspaper, there is a chance that the mighty multi-nationals such as Dole, Delmonte …

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The eastern Dominican Republic resorts of Bavaro, Punta Cana and the surrounding area have experienced an interesting rise in wedding holidays. According to Listin Diario, 20% of all marriages celebrated in the Dominican Republic are between foreigners, and 60% of all marriages are between Dominican and foreign citizens. Hotels are offering wedding packages that include …

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The Metro Country Club will begin the sale of US$38 million in bonds through the local stock exchange. The bond issue has been approved by the Superintendent of Assets (SIV). The bonds are targeting foreign investors as well as the general public. A minimum investment of US$10,000 is required, and the bonds will carry a …

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The Director General of Customs has announced the arrest of 30 employees and the firing of 23 additional staff. This comes as a result of recent discoveries of contraband in 218 containers. The loot involved everything from beans to whiskey. Some of the illegal consignments were discovered in the port of Haina Oriental and another …

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