President Leonel Fernandez has signed Law 4-08, effectively creating a new bureaucracy for government bureaucracy. The new Ministry of Public Administration will regulate government employees, strengthen public administration institutions, develop electronic government and evaluate government institutions. Ramon Ventura Camejo, formerly the director at the National Planning Office (ONAP), has been appointed to head the new ministry. The ministry will not have jurisdiction over elected officials, members of the Central Electoral Board, the Chamber of Accounts, police and military personnel or people employed by state entities under Labor Code provisions.
Industry and Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes says that the government will maintain its fuel subsidies on the public transport sector until these can be equipped with natural gas fuel conversion chip systems. This news follows the Fenatrano bus union's bus strike in demand of the continued subsidy on fuels for the sector yesterday. Fenatrano leader Juan Hubieres said that the strike was a way of getting equal rights, as the government is providing multi-million peso subsidies to other private companies.
Western Michigan Institute has formalized an agreement with the DR that will allow scores of Dominican students to study at the university through government sponsored scholarship programs. The initial stages of the agreement were signed on 7 January and finalized on 23 January. In all, 60 Dominican students have registered as undergraduates for the Spring '08 semester. A press release from the university informs that President John M. Dunn traveled to the Dominican Republic for the signing ceremony and that Ligia Amada Melo de Cardona, Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology (SEESCyT), signed the pact on behalf of the DR. The WMU-DR agreement is based on an ongoing initiative called the Dominican Scholars Program, which was launched in 1996 by President Leonel Fernandez.
For more information click here: www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2008/02/009.html
The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode) unveiled the Ara Journal of Tourism Research yesterday. The magazine presents research on topics related to sustainable tourism development. President Leonel Fernandez was present at the event. The first issue features papers on tourism in Belize and Malta, the concept of co-creation in tourism and the Quality Coast program. There is one article on tourism in the DR, written by Andres Van der Horst, executive director of the National Competitiveness Council. In his presentation at the event, Van der Horst highlighted the importance of moving the model of tourism in the DR from all-inclusive resort enclaves to community-inclusive tourism.
The journal is presided over by a committee comprising Francesco Frangialli, secretary general of the World Tourism Organization, Dominican Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez, Dominican Culture Minister Jose Rafael Lantigua, Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs of the Earth Insitute at Columbia University, Luis Jose Asilis of Metro Group, Frank Rainieri of Punta Cana Group and Maria Abellanet of Grup CETT of Barcelona.
Professor Jordi Martinell, of the Universitat of Barcelona, Spain chairs the editorial board. Other members are Prof Francois Bedard of the Universite du Quebec a Montreal (Worldwide Center for Excellence in Tourist Destinations), Lino Briguglio of the University of Malta (Islands & Small States Institute), Dr. Rachel Dodds of Ryerson University, Toronto, Jafar Jafari, of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Joan Tugores Ques, Universitat de Barcelona, and Prof. Dr. Francois Vellas, Universite de Toulouse (Institut de Recherche pour l'Economie de Service et de Tourisme, France).
In December 2007 the Santo Domingo metro project received more money for capital investments than 10 ministries combined. Education (RD$405.3M), Environment (RD$37.1M), Agriculture (RD$6M), Industry and Commerce (RD$18.5M), Armed Forces (RD$588,410M), Labor (RD$2.8M), Sports (RD$14.3M), Higher Education (RD$107.5M), the Presidential Administrative Ministry (RD$8.5M) and the National Housing Department-INVI (RD$184.1M) combined received less money than the metro. The Transport Reorganization Office (OPRET), that is overseeing the metro construction, received RD$900 million. No figures were released for October or November, but between January and September 2007 the metro received RD$400 million a month. Only the Presidential Public Works Engineers Supervisor Office (OIS), RD$1.2 billion and the Ministry of Public Works, with RD$1.12 billion, received more money than the metro.
Twenty days remain for President Leonel Fernandez' scheduled ceremonial ride on the Santo Domingo Metro, and the Transport Reorganization Office (OPRET) has still not made any trial runs of the railway system. OPRET sub-minister Leonel Carrasco said that workers are fighting to have the tests and there is no set date for that. He added that the tests depend on the Siemens technicians. Hoy, quoting an unnamed source, reports that a test will be conducted next Sunday. Authorities say that the work is being carried out so that Fernandez can ride the train on 27 February, as promised in last year's annual state of the nation address from Congress.
Eminent sociologist Rosario Espinal explains in Hoy that the ruling PLD party has replaced Juan Bosch's utopian vision for social change with the conservative Balaguer pragmatism that has dominated Dominican politics for the past 40 years. Espinal says that as a result many have entered politics and the ranks of the PLD as a way of climbing the social ladder and obtaining the perks that accompany government posts.
Espinal, a professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, made her comments in response to President Leonel Fernandez's recent declaration that he is the heir of Balaguerism. Espinal brings up the 'caudillo' culture in Dominican politics to explain the phenomenon. She explains that the country's popular leaders have benefited from a cult of personality. Trujillo was the dictatorial caudillo, Balaguer the educated authoritarian 'caudillo', Bosch was the educated/critic 'caudillo' and Pena Gomez was the 'caudillo' of the masses.
According to Espinal, the PRSC was left in shambles with the death of Balaguer. When the party found itself without a strong 'caudillo' presence, Fernandez stepped into that void. Fernandez, Espinal says, has successfully integrated dissidents into his party ranks and they identify with him, not with the PLD as a political party.
The sociologist went on to explain that bi-partisan support has always been Fernandez's goal, and in this way he has distanced himself and the party from the ideals of Juan Bosch. Espinal challenges the belief that the conservative forces have lost Balaguer, saying that his influence is still strong and that previously opposing parties, like the PLD, are now bowing to Balaguer's political legacy. The professor concludes that Fernandez's comments represent political rhetoric, but also highlight the shift in his political ideology that looks to preserve the ways of the old Dominican political system.
The PRD says that there is no need to sign a gentlemen's agreement between the country's political parties as a way of elevating the quality of campaign debates. The PRD is rejecting the proposal made by the PLD and it is not clear whether they will attend a summit scheduled by the Central Electoral Board (JCE) to discuss electoral campaign etiquette. PRD General Secretary Orlando Jorge Mera is quoted in Hoy saying that it isn't a question of signing a pact, but of elevating the quality of debate and a pact should not be needed in order to achieve that.
According to Licelot Bello Dotel, president of the Ear, Nose and Throat Society, her members have seen an increase in hearing problems among the Dominican population, and loud music is partly to blame. She said that the noise levels are extremely high and there has been an increase of degenerative hearing problems as a result of years of exposure to loud music.
Earlier this week, the Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso announced that an ambitious ethanol project was being planned by the Romana Fanjul Group and the Vicini Group, which together account for most of the country's sugar exports. The project will be implemented on sugar lands to be leased from the Dominican state and private growers in San Pedro de Macoris. However, in a paid advertisement in today's Listin Diario, the Boca Chica Sugar Cane Union claims that the rights to these same lands were already granted to Conazucar/Ethanol Dominicana, a Swedish-DR consortium that was the first to promote ethanol production in the country, and that this lease should be respected.
The union argues that if the Romana/Vicini group is favored with these sugar cane lands, a virtual monopoly in sugar production on the island would be created, putting the DR-CAFTA and European Union (EPA) trade agreements in jeopardy. The union urges the Dominican state to honor the original agreement for the construction of the proposed ethanol project with the European investors.
The Dominican Business Federation (FDC) is accusing the Haitian authorities of multiplying customs charges on the main Dominican products imported into Haiti. FDC treasurer Domingo Fermin said that the taxes imposed by Haitian customs officials are scandalous. According to FDC figures, metal bar shipments that were subject to 40,000 gourdes in taxes a year ago now pay 375,000 gourdes in taxes. Pasta, which used to be charged 20,000 gourdes now pays 162,500 gourdes in taxes. Fermin says that Haitian officials have imposed these taxes in order to get as much as they can from Dominican traders. He added that these officials are harming their people by forcing them to buy other imported products at higher prices.
He mentioned that Dominican companies that export their products to Cap Haitien markets in the north can get around the customs charges. He explained that since the road from Port-au-Prince to that northern city is in very bad condition, the competing Haitian importers are not delivering their goods to that market that continues to being supplied from Dajabon in the DR.
According to the Forensics Department, the number of violent crimes has increased. A total of 111 violent deaths were recorded in the National District, San Cristobal and Santo Domingo province in January 2008. This is 15 more than were registered in January 2007. The report includes street violence, road accidents, domestic violence and suicides. Of the 111 deaths, 86 were defined as homicides, of which 78 were committed with guns. The Cibao had a reasonably lower number of deaths, 54, 14 of which were caused by traffic accidents. Also, according to statistics from the Dario Contreras Hospital, the number of road accidents increased. In January 2008, 25 people died in road accidents compared to January 2007, when only six people were killed.
La Sirena has 15% off on Sealy, Simmons, Serta and Sonipedico brand mattresses.
El Nacional is advertising sales in its fish and seafood department, pineapples for RD$29.95, chicken for RD$25.95lb, potatoes for RD$9.95lb, ground beef for RD$39.95lb, white rice for RD$173.95/10lbs, 30 eggs for RD$59.95lb, and limes for RD$5.95lb.
Bravo supermarket is promoting discounts on Danesita Butter Cookies at RD$79.95 for a 340g tin, green plantains for RD$7.50 each, Vincent cheese for RD$199.95, Maasdam cheese for RD$199.95lb, Asturiana cider for RD$69.95 on Friday and Saturday, and special reductions on ingredients for the popular Easter dessert, Habichuelas con Dulce.
La Cadena is advertising sales in their fish and seafood department, as well as plantains for RD$7.95 each, beef fillet for $124.95lb, and a 10lb bag white rice for $124.95.
Hache Department stores in Santiago and Santo Domingo have 25% reductions from 6 to 10pm this Friday, 8 Feb, and 50% a single item for clients who have bought items worth at least $1,000 in the previous 6-9pm period.
Cucina is advertising 50% off selected items, and 30% off other items at their kitchen goods store at Robert Pastoriza 321.
Plaza Lama is advertising RD$16.95lb chickens (only on Friday), and parts sales, and a 10lb bag of rice for RD$144.
Super Pola is advertising 30% off select canned tuna, among other fish sales.
La Novia de Villa has a 15% sale of leather couches.
La Nacional furniture store has 70% off Hurtado, a Spanish luxury furniture line on Friday 8 and Saturday 9.
El Encanto in Santiago has 10-20% off perfumes, underwear and select clothing items.
Jumbo is advertising sales in women's and men's underwear for St. Valentine's Day.
Sleep Center at Gustavo Mejia Ricart 57, Naco is advertising 20% off Simmons mattresses.
Caremax is advertising 50% off tires and batteries.
Dominican baseball legends Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal have caused a stir this week after a video was released showing them at a cockfight at the Coliseo Gallisto de Santo Domingo. The video, which was posted on YouTube last Friday, shows Marichal and Martinez as 'soltadores' moments before the fight between the two cocks began. In a statement released by the New York Mets, Martinez defended his participation in the match saying that the video was more than two years old. "I understand that people are upset, but this is part of our Dominican culture and is legal in the Dominican Republic. I was invited by my idol, Juan Marichal, to attend the event as a spectator, not as a participant." The video was quickly removed from YouTube, but has made its way around the internet. PETA and the United States Humane Society have both called for sanctions against Martinez. Illegal in the US, cockfighting is legal and extremely popular in the DR.
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US...
Licey Campeon! Licey Campeon! were just some of the chants echoing around Santo Domingo last night as the Tigres del Licey beat their traditional foes, the Aguilas Cibaenas to capture their 10th Serie del Caribe Championship with a 8-2 score, the widest margin in the championship's history. As a result the DR won its 17th Serie del Caribe Championship. The DR has won more Caribbean Series championships than any other country in the tournament's 50-year history.
The turning point in the game came in the fourth inning when Licey scored four runs and all but one Licey batter got a hit in the game. The stellar pitching only allowed two measly runs and guaranteed that Licey would walk away with the championship. The win brings the sweet taste of revenge to Licey fans, as only 15 days earlier they lost the Dominican Professional Winter League Championship trophy to the Aguilas. Licey was the runner-up team in the Caribbean Series sitting in for Puerto Rico that did not send a team this year.
In last night's other contest, Mexico beat Venezuela 7-5, but it was too little too late for Mexico. Mexico scored five runs in the ninth inning for a come from behind win, earning the respect of fans and competitors.
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