2013 – Page 48

Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo says that Santiago’s new bypass will be in operation in February 2014. At present, traffic headed north needs to pass through the city center causing half-hour delays. Construction began on the highway in 1996 but it was never completed until now. Castillo said that the bypass would decongest heavy …

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The Central Bank reports that the Consumer Price Index was down 0.14% in October, compared to September. The latest report says that accumulated inflation for the period January-October 2013 decreased from 3.57% to 3.43%. Annual inflation for the past 12 months, measured from October 2012 to October 2013 is 4.74%, according to the Central Bank. …

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The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization has commended the Dominican authorities for their malaria control programs. Malaria cases in the Dominican Republic mainly originate from Haiti. In an announcement made on Friday, 7 November, the PAHO/WHO said that the Dominican initiative and two others from Colombia and Brazil were declared the 2013 “Malaria Champions …

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The Department of Customs has announced that it will start the traditional import tax exoneration period for expatriate Dominicans returning for the holidays as of 23 November, instead of on 1 December. Dominicans who live abroad can bring gifts of up to US$3,000 with them tax-free. The facility is open to all Dominicans who have …

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Elena Viyella, president of Educa, the business sector-supported initiative to improve the quality of education in the Dominican Republic, is calling for the subjects taught in Dominican high schools to be adapted to match modern workplace requirements. Speaking on Sunday, 10 November, she said these changes were needed in order to tackle the serious situation …

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Medical records show the Dominican Republic could have around 1.5 million diabetics. The disease is attributed to inadequate nutrition and sedentary lifestyle. According to the latest Survey on Heart Risk Factors (Efricard), there are 10 diabetics for every 100 citizens and 15% could soon show signs of the disease. As reported, the Plaza de la …

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While sources citing insiders in Orange Telecommunications were the first to reveal that the French company was looking for a buyer for its Dominican operation, its only one in Latin America, now the sale may or may not happen. As reported in the Jamaican Gleaner, there are five prospective buyers, with Digicel and Cable & …

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The special prosecutor for administrative corruption, Laura Guerrero says that investigators have found evidence that the deposed mayor of La Romana Juan Antonio Adames could have embezzled around RD$30 million. She added that they were investigating allegations that he had wasted R$200 million. According to Guerrero, other individuals were involved in the corruption case and …

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El Dia newspaper’s editorial today, Monday 11 November, focuses on how the authorities identified the people they themselves describe as “two of the leading drug traffickers in the eastern region of the country” several months ago, yet they remain free, acting freely and apparently behind violence estimated to have cost the lives of more than …

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Five provinces that are implementing the Comprehensive Citizen Security Plan report that crime is down 39%, as reported in Diario Libre. In an in-depth interview in Diario Libre today, Monday 11 November, Police Chief General Manuel Castro Castillo says that violent deaths are down to 17% in the provinces where the National Security Plan is …

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