Local health authorities have reported the isolation of the avian H5N2 virus in two roosters in a cock-fighting ring in La Otra Banda, Higuey. The birds have been reported to have been irregularly imported, supposedly from the US or Puerto Rico. Angel Faxas, head of the Livestock Department, said that the flu does not pose a threat to humans. Faxas added that a laboratory in the US has determined that the particular strain of the virus found in the roosters is only known to affect birds.
Hoy writes that the National Livestock Department reported the finding to the World Health Organization on 20 December. Dr. Bernardo Defillo says that in the unlikely case that the virus had spread to humans, it would not cause more than a bad cold. He said there is no reason to avoid eating chicken, a main local staple. The virus, which is usually spread through the air, is destroyed by heat, said Defillo.
Public Health Minister Dr. Bautista Rojas Gomez says that 50 birds that could have been in contact with the infected roosters were killed after the flu was detected, in order to isolate the virus and prevent further contamination.
Poultry farmers in the Cibao region say they are not concerned about the avian flu reports, because they were found in fighting cocks. Nonetheless, they are urging the authorities to keep monitoring the situation in the area and nationally.
President Leonel Fernandez believes that finding solutions to the electricity problems in the DR, now with rising petroleum prices, is the greatest challenge that his government will face in 2008. Fernandez made his comments while swearing in members of the board of directors of the new Transmision de Electricidad Dominicana (ETED) and Generacion Hidroelectrica Dominicana (EGEHID) energy companies. To this end, the government's subsidies for the energy bill was previously set at US$60 million in 2007, but with prices climbing almost daily Hoy reports that the subsidy is likely to rise to US$125 million. Energy Superintendent Francisco Mendez said yesterday that the cost of energy to consumers would not increase and added that the government has guaranteed the supply of 85% of the energy demand.
Also, State-run Electricity Company vice president Radhames Segura said the government would subsidize the energy sector with US$125 million in order to keep prices stable in the light of the continued increase in crude oil prices. He called on consumers to pay their energy bills on time, adding that it is a privilege to receive energy at that price in the DR because of the cost of petroleum. Segura, quoted in Listin Diario, said that the current energy situation is worrisome for the DR. He said that the goal is to keep local businesses and private consumers from depending on emergency generators, which are more expensive to run. He added that next month energy sector officials would meet to try to come up with additional measures to mitigate the increase in petroleum prices. Nevertheless, Segura said that the DR managed to reduce its energy bill by US$15 million in 2007 and added that the DR has re-signed the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela. Segura urged the government to put its energy saving plan, announced in November 2007, into action. Segura said that certain government measures, like the renegotiation of agreements like the Madrid Accord, and the imminent change from diesel fuel to natural gas by Cogentrix has led to better energy distribution and added that in 2008 losses in the energy sector could be reduced to US$98 million.
Industry and Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes warned yesterday that the Metropolitan Transit Authorities (AMET) would impound any government vehicle being used during the weekends or on holidays without a proper explanation. Paredes said that anyone driving government vehicles on weekends must present a letter from their department head justifying the use of the vehicle. The measure is a way of enforcing the government's energy saving plan, announced last November. As part of the plan, new "smart" stoplights are being installed around Santo Domingo and light bulbs in government offices are being changed for more energy efficient ones.
Diario Libre is reporting that the government will buy the remaining 50% shares of the Dominican Petroleum Refineries from the Shell Company by the end of February. The price of the shares will be determined by one of the companies that took part in the public bidding held by the Hacienda Ministry. Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa said that initially 12 companies took part in the bidding, but only a few presented their offers. Bengoa also added that the government wanted to get things done as soon as possible.
Government revenues totaled RD$230 billion in 2007, or 27.1% more than was collected in 2006. Also, government costs increased to RD$222 billion for a total execution of 97% of the total budget. Of that figure RD$76 billion were spent on consumption costs while RD$55 billion were allocated to capital costs. Donations to the government totaled RD$2.4 billion, for an increase of RD$1.93 billion, and external resources were at RD$8.5 billion, some RD$8.96 billion less than in 2006. Internal resources were RD$1 million. Of the total revenues, RD$28 billion were considered extraordinary revenues, including RD$5.7 billion for the sale of Verizon and Falcondo. Of the total revenues, Customs collected RD$53 billion while the Tax Department collected RD$142 million and the Treasury collected RD$35.5 billion. In terms of government spending, RD$16.1 billion went towards interest payments, RD$9.6 billion to loans and RD$65.6 billion to transfers. Gross international reserves were at US$2.95 billion while net international reserves were at US$2.41 billion.
PRD and PRSC representatives are describing the decision by a special Senate commission to maintain that Central Electoral Board's (JCE) originally planned budget as absurd, an abuse of power and a violation of the Constitution. PRD General Secretary Orlando Jorge Mera said that Congress can't decide to give the JCE more money if a second round of voting in the 2008 elections is needed and added that the second round of voting is contemplated in the Constitution.
Hoy is reporting that the first three Metro cars, built by Alstom, have arrived in the DR and are at the Haina Oriental port. Two of the cars weigh 33 tons, the third weighs 30 tons, and they are 18.32 meters long and 3.86 meters high. Hoy describes the cars as painted red, white and blue, with disabled access ramps and capacity to transport 240 people. The next three trains will arrive in February. Leonel Carrasco, sub director of the for the Transport Reorganization Office (OPRET) said that the cars would be tested within a week and will be used for a demonstration by President Leonel Fernandez on a four kilometer stretch of the line on 27 February, as had been promised. In all there will be 54 Metro cars.
Hoy is reporting that holiday sales exceeded expectations and registered an increase of between 25 and 50%. Storeowners and managers interviewed by Hoy expressed their surprise at the increase in sales due to the economic impact of Tropical storms Noel and Olga. Some storeowners were concerned because shopping had been slow in early December, but business began to pick up by the middle of the month.
The New Year has brought an increase in the prices of basic foods including eggs, plantains, bananas, cassava, potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese and milk. Poultry and other meats also experienced a 10% to 25% increase in some cases. Listin Diario reports that many of the increases are inevitable because of the effects of Tropical Storms Noel and Olga are still being felt. In the case of poultry, the rise is linked to an increase in prices of raw materials like corn, soy and fats. Some medicines have also gone up in price. Bread has also experienced an RD$2 rise per unit, equivalent to a 66.7% increase.
The Meteorological Department (ONAMET) is forecasting chilly weather due to the cold front moving in from the east/southeast. The authorities are warning citizens, especially asthma sufferers, to dress warmly. Weather officials are also expecting light showers throughout the day. Estimates indicate a low of 16 degrees Celsius in Santo Domingo and 5 degrees Celsius in Constanza. ONAMET is also alerting coastal areas of surf surges.
A total of 35 people were killed during the 2007 holiday season, according to the Emergency Operations Center (COE). Twenty of these fatalities were reported during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The deaths reported by the COE only include traffic accidents and alcohol-related incidents.
Rolando Acosta became the first Dominican to be appointed to the New York Court of Appeals. Acosta was appointed by NY Governor Eliot Spitzer. Originally from Santiago, Acosta moved to the US at the age of 14. He will serve on the first division of the Court, overseeing Manhattan and the Bronx. Diario Libre writes that Acosta is one of New York's most seasoned judges, issuing dozens of verdicts and arguments that have been published both locally and nationally.
It's been an exciting week of baseball action during the Winter League round robin playoff series. The Estrellas have surprised everyone by becoming the team to beat as of today. Last night the Estrellas beat the Gigantes 4-3 after a single by Fernando Tatis scored Elvis Alcantara, who was on second. The win leaves the Estrellas in sole possession of first place with a record of 4-2. In the night's second game, the Aguilas beat the Tigres del Licey 7-4 behind a three-run homerun by Victor Diaz and five solid innings for Robinson Tejada. The win tied the Aguilas with Licey for second place in the post-season standings. Both have a record of 3-3. The shift in the standings has now left the once heavily favored Gigantes del Cibao in last place.
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