The DR has increased its overall forest cover by 7% in the last 11 years thanks in part to a reforestation project, Plan Quisqueya Verde, which began in 1997. The DR increased its forest cover from 26% to 33% over that time span. Environment Minister Omar Ramirez highlighted the fact that 110 million native and endemic trees were planted in the DR during that period. Ramirez also pointed out that the increased area of forests in the DR had helped minimize the effects and damage caused by Tropical Storms Noel and Olga. Ramirez also explained that the DR ranks among the top four countries in the region that are above the average forestation levels, behind Dominica, Cuba and Jamaica. He explained that on average, seven million trees are planted here every year. The Environment Ministry announced that it plans to spend RD$31 million on reforestation projects this year.
As the expiry date of the Stand-by arrangement with the International Monetary Fund approaches, the Dominican government has an added set of issues it has to consider as it decides whether or not to sign for continued IMF surveillance. Although the continued increase of international oil prices is still a major concern, a possible recession in the US economy, increases in world food prices and a deficit in the country's balance of payment accounts are factors that should make the government rethink its decision to end the accord on 31 January. Hoy writes that a recession, or decreased growth in the US economy, would hurt the Dominican economy more than an increase in fuel prices. The country's private business sector has openly championed the idea that the government should stay "under the IMF umbrella."
In related news, President Leonel Fernandez has instructed his economic team to carry out the proper studies about the possibility of re-signing the Stand-by arrangement with the IMF. The Administrative Minister to the Presidency, Luis Manuel Bonetti, made the announcement, mentioning that although the President has the final say, he feels that the government has done a good job in terms of handling the economy and that the DR has done enough to continue without the IMF. Bonetti, quoted in Hoy, said that many of the challenges that the current administration has experienced have been solved, and that if an agreement is signed with the IMF it doesn't have to be under the same conditions as the one that expires this month.
Medium and small-sized bread makers in the DR are getting a break as Industry and Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes announced that they would be getting a RD$70 million subsidy per month. Paredes explained that the temporary subsidy would include RD$350 per month for the purchase of sacks of wheat that weigh 120 pounds. The subsidy will only be available to producers using between 70,000 and 200,000 sacks of wheat monthly. Paredes added that an agreement had been reached with the Medium and Small Flour Industrial Union (UMPIH) and the subsidy will benefit 2,000 bread producers. Paredes, quoted in Listin Diario, dismissed the idea that the subsidies are a way of influencing the upcoming presidential elections. He added that his Ministry will not allow an unjustified increase in food prices.
Health officials have announced a three-month campaign to vaccinate 200,000 cats and dogs against rabies in 16 provinces around the DR. Community Health Deputy Minister Nelson Rodriguez Monegro said that the program would cost RD$100 million, which also covers promotional and educational activities. The deputy minister said that between 16,000 and 20,000 people are infected with rabies each year. Rodriguez encouraged pet-owners to take their animals to be vaccinated. The vaccinations will be free of charge.
Following yesterday's revelation that Dominican deputies take home more than RD$350,000 each month and that their salaries have increased by 7,000% since 1990, Hoy is reporting that each Dominican senator costs the state roughly RD$2 million per month, including expenses. Hoy writes that without including the special "cofrecito," (petty cash box), that ranges from RD$400,000 to RD$265,000 depending on the size of the senator's provincial population, the senators receive RD$265,000 per month in monthly income. This is broken down into RD$125,000 for basic salary, RD$50,000 in representation costs, RD$25,000 in per-diems, RD$25,000 for housing allowance and RD$3,500 for additional expenses. The 32 Senate members, like their deputies, also receive two complete tax exemptions for importing a vehicle during their tenure. These are frequently cashed in through car dealerships. Including all costs and expenses, senators manage RD$19.2 million per month. Senate president Reinaldo Pared Perez, who is also the senator for the National District, receives the highest monthly salary followed by Cristina Lizardo (Santo Domingo province), Francisco Dominguez (Santiago), and Tommy Galan (San Cristobal). Hoy writes that these senators also have drivers, offices in their communities staffed by between 10 to 12 people, and two advisors with salaries of RD$20,000 per month, all paid for by Congress.
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) plans to launch a new publicity campaign urging citizens to vote in the 16 May presidential election. The JCE has allocated RD$200 million towards voting promotion campaigns in the DR and US$2 million for campaigns to encourage Dominican expatriates to vote in the US. Chief JCE judge Roberto Rosario said that a tender has been opened to choose the company that will produce the advertisements and place them in media in large and medium-sized cities.
Clinics around Santo Domingo are reporting that 80% of patients seen by doctors in the last few weeks have been suffering from diarrhea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal problems. Hoy writes that out of 400 emergency cases treated by the Robert Reid Cabral Children's Hospital, 94 were diarrhea related, and that one of every four children seen at the hospital has been treated for diarrhea. Doctors are warning of an outbreak of the rotavirus that causes these symptoms in children. According to a report by UNICEF, quoted in Hoy, diarrhea is the third leading cause of death among children.
Lawyers for Impacto Urbano have announced that National District Mayor Roberto Salcedo has had his personal bank accounts seized because he refused to comply with a court decision. The lawyers, including Rafaela Espaillat, Felix Damian Olivares, Eduardo Jorge Prats and Rolando Cruz Bello, told Listin Diario that RD$4 million have been seized from his accounts, double what was decided upon by the First Civil and Commercial Chamber of the National District Court of Appeals. The lawyers clarified that the seizure does not affect the municipal budget, just Salcedo's personal finances and properties, which include two RD$18 million apartments on Ave. Pedro Henriquez Urena. The lawyers said that a notice was sent to all the banks that manage Salcedo's accounts and that the courts have issued seven sentences in favor or Impacto Urbano, which have been ignored by the Mayor. Impacto Urbano is a public space advertising company that has protested against what they claim is a violation of their contract with the municipality by Salcedo.
Councilors in Santiago have decided not to take the pay raise they approved for themselves and instead have agreed on a 30% increase for municipal employee salaries. The move comes after PLD Secretary General Reinaldo Pared Perez warned PLD members not to take the pay raise, or face serious penalties. President Leonel Fernandez issued similar warnings and added that violators could face being thrown out of the party.
The Higuamo, Ozama and Yaque del Norte rivers are the country's most polluted rivers, according to Environment Minister Omar Ramirez. Ramirez said that in the case of the Higuamo River, in San Pedro de Macoris, many companies that operate near the river have installed treatment plants and that a river cleaning coalition made up of local businesses has been created. Ramirez explained that the main cause of pollution in the area is the riverside population. Deputy Environment Minister Ernesto Reyna said that 50% of gasoline stations dispose of their waste properly and said they have special tanks for oil disposal, to prevent it from seeping into the subsoil and into rivers.
The DR's tourism sector experienced minimal growth in 2007. The arrival of visitors by air only grew by 1.6% between January and December while the arrival of non-resident Dominicans declined by 6.7%. The minimal growth reflects a generalized trend in the Caribbean region. Hotels also felt the tourism slump that decreased from 73% in 2006 to 72.2% in 2007. Listin Diario carries a report by the Central Bank that indicates that in 2007 the DR received 4,428,005 passengers of which 3,398,374 were non-resident foreigners and 581,208 were non-resident Dominicans. Punta Cana was the busiest among all airports receiving 51.4% of all tourists, followed by Las Americas (Santo Domingo) and Puerto Plata's Gregorio Luperon Airport, La Romana, the Cibao airport and La Isabela. Americans were still the DR's largest tourist group of air arrivals with 1,080,066 or 37.1% of the total. Canadians make up the second largest group of visitors, with 17.2% of the total.
The temporary loss of the Haitian market, which consumes between 15 and 30 million Dominican eggs, has led to the loss of five million eggs per day. The loss in the market has also led to a drop in egg prices, with eggs now being sold for RD$1.40. Wholesalers are still selling each egg for RD$3 or RD$4. Egg consumption in the DR has remained stable. Listin Diario reported that the Haitian authorities have "promised" Dominican poultry producers that the ban would be lifted this Friday at the latest. Freddy Morillo, the president of the Egg Vendors Association in Dajabon made the announcement.
Fabio Herrera-Minino, writing in today's Listin Diario, says that the continued ban on imports, despite there not being any more Avian flu cases and the fact that even Puerto Rico has lifted the suspension, is a way for Haiti to seek gains from the DR government, including the cancellation of new advanced military border corps Cesfront operations. "It is the classic covert blackmail game, that will ultimately be resolved with generous handouts to the west islander officials..." writes Herrera-Minino. "The pretext of the ban on eggs and chickens crossing the border is a test balloon sent out by our neighbors to see how far they can stretch the intelligence, responsibility and ability of the Dominicans to confront them, as they are aware of Dominican lack of capacity and fears," he concludes.
The government will give RD$18 million in vouchers to 3,000 families residing in the Bajo Yuna area through a program coordinated by Father Rogelio Cruz. The funds and the development project will last for three months and the project's aim is to help revitalize the area's economy. Diario Libre writes that the "Solidarity Vouchers" are valid for buying food but not for alcoholic beverages.
Last night the Aguilas took one step closer to another championship trophy with a 7-5 victory over the Tigres del Licey. The Aguilas, who have played almost flawless baseball the last two weeks, now lead the best of nine series four games to two. This wasn't a blowout as was the case in the first three games of the series. The Aguilas were actually down when T.J. Pena hit a two-run double in the sixth inning. The double was part of a five-run sixth inning. The Aguilas took a lead they would not relinquish and once again Licey imploded in the biggest game of the year. The Aguilas look to close the series out tonight with Erick Knott taking the mound for the Aguilas and Jose Mercedes taking the mound for Licey.
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