Despite the Environment Ministry technicians’ recommendations to the contrary, former Deputy Environment Minister Rene Ledesma granted the go-ahead for the construction of a hotel in the Laguna Bavaro on the East Coast. Current Environment Minister Max Puig is reviewing the case and has sent a team of inspectors to Bavaro to verify the authorization obtained by Compreica to build the Laguna Bavaro and Beach Golf Resort (300 hotel rooms, 269 cabanas and 18-hole golf course) on the delicate wetlands and lagoon. The area in question was previously safeguarded by the protected-area status ordained by Law 64-00, but this status was later overridden by former President Hipolito Mejia’s ratification of Law 202-04 shortly before leaving office. The approval for the construction was granted on 2 May 2003, more than one year before the new law’s passage. Hector Then Cruz, the president of Compreica, was unavailable for comment to El Caribe reporter Panky Corcino, who is covering the story.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Despite the Environment Ministry technicians’ recommendations to the contrary, former Deputy Environment Minister Rene Ledesma granted the go-ahead for the construction of a hotel in the Laguna Bavaro on the East Coast. Current Environment Minister Max Puig is reviewing the case and has sent a team of inspectors to Bavaro to verify the authorization obtained … <\/p>\n