2021 – Page 98

Environment Minister Orlando Jorge Mera presented institutional achievements and emphasized the positive impact the Ministry of Environment has had on sustainable development and environmental restoration in the country. He said the efforts are directed at mitigating the impact of climate change and to preserve water, protected areas, biodiversity, penalize crimes and strengthen environmental education. Jorge …

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The ministries of Economy and Foreign Relations signed an agreement with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and the embassies of Costa Rica and Honduras in the Dominican Republic for innovation in the conservation and restoration of coral reefs — “Aplicación de herramientas innovadoras para la conservación y restauración de arrecifes de coral”. The initiative …

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A special Senate committee is again entrusted with reviewing the Penal Code that had passed in the Chamber of Deputies after 11 months of review. The chair of the committee is Santiago Zorilla (PRM-El Seibo). Other members are Faride Raful (PRM-National District), Aris Iván Lorenzo (PLD-Elias Piña), Antonio Taveras (PRM-Santo Domingo), Franklyn Romero (PRM-Duarte), Virgilio …

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The defense of Odebrecht commercial representative Angel Rondon presented closing arguments on 19 August 2021 insisting that state prosecutors had not presented proof that Rondón had received millions in bribe money from the Brazilian construction company. A US Court in December 2016 had declared the company had paid US$92 million in bribes to secure contract …

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Visual artist Aniova Prandy’s “The Sugar Maafa” has won the grand prize of the 29th National Visual Arts Biennial, organized by the Ministry of Culture. The jury presided by artist Leopoldo Maler announced the Visual Arts Biennial winners on 19 August 2021. Maler said that Prandy’s work contributes to the enrichment of the artistic heritage …

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The prevalence of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic continues on the downward trend begun in July after the May Mother’s Day spike. The national 4-week positivity rate has dropped again and is now at 5.62%. The 24-hour positivity for the day was 8.34%, up from the previous day. The Ministry of Public Health’s Epidemiology Department …

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The successful management of the Covid-19 pandemic, advances towards universal health care, and the economy’s recovery are the three shining stars of the first year of the Abinader administration. After TDGrace rained out the traditional 16 August annual rendition at the National Assembly (Congress), President Luis Abinader chose the backdrop of flag-colored lighting, dozens of …

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President Luis Abinader sent a letter to the Chamber of Deputies on 18 August 2021 requesting the National State of Emergency extension for an additional 45 days. The present state of emergency expires on 26 August 2021. The announcement comes at a time when the trend is to continue to remove curfew restrictions nationwide, given …

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The spokesperson for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) Gustavo Sanchez says that traffic bottlenecks are not a justified excuse to expedite the procurement procedures for the expansion of the Santo Domingo Metro. The Abinader administration has kept the country under a National State of Emergency that also allows for expedite contracting. Jose Adolfo Herrera Acevedo, …

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Carlos Pimentel, the director of the Public Procurement Agency (DGCP), used the “Ethics as a Foundation for Sustainable Development” online forum of the American Chamber of Commerce to call for legislators to pass the legal reforms needed to counter corruption through the Penal Code and amendments to Law 340-06. The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) …

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