SANTO DOMINGO - The proposal to elevate the Bávaro-Verón-Punta Cana Municipal District to a municipality has sparked conflicting opinions, with diverse groups viewing the measure as an opportunity for structural development, while others perceive it as a threat to the interests of the main municipality, Higüey.
For Altagracia Poueriet, community leader and CEO of Hummel Inmobiliaria, this regional evolution should make all those involved aware "that we are all from Altagracia." She recommends, as a healthy approach, establishing a regional transition council while technical offices and management structures are created, so that the municipality can be established with a progressive tax agreement with Higüey, avoiding an abrupt break and allowing for an orderly transition that benefits everyone.
We reproduce in full the interview conducted by El Inmobiliario with this leader from the eastern region of the Dominican Republic:
Do you believe that the Bávaro-Verón-Punta Cana Municipal District should be elevated to a Municipality?
Yes, I believe that the Bávaro – Verón – Punta Cana Municipal District should be elevated to a municipality.
Because?
Legally it is viable, in the law 176-07 of the National District of the municipalities it is established that a Municipal District can be elevated to a municipality if it has more than fifteen thousand (15,000) inhabitants, in the 2022 census showed that we have one hundred thirty-eight thousand nine hundred nineteen (138,919) resident inhabitants plus an annual growth rate of eight point eleven (8.11) percent, in addition to these figures, the Municipal District handles a load of transients of approximately one million (1,000,000) people monthly, who demand infrastructure and services.
For generating more than sixty (60) percent of the country's tourism revenue, positioning this tourist hub as the main engine of tourism in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean.
In addition, revenues are generated from: fees, CEPM energy, airport, hotels and construction, which exceed those of other existing municipalities, so we need administrative autonomy to address multiple urban, social and infrastructure challenges.
Education, culture, and sport need to be promoted as a path to true development.
Elevating Verón to a municipality is not a whim, it is a technical, legal and moral necessity.
What problem has this proposal created?
It has generated tensions with the Higüey city council due to the potential loss of revenue and political power. It has also highlighted the lack of municipal structures in Verón, such as the absence of a technical planning office, a courthouse, a peace court, a first instance court, a Central Electoral Board district for Bávaro and La Ceiba, a third-level hospital in Bávaro, an INTRANT office for licensing and renewals, and a Chamber of Commerce headquarters, among others.
Which sectors oppose this proposal?
The Higüey city council feared losing control of a strategic territory and its revenues.
Businesses allied to Higüey could face changes in taxes and permits.
Lawmakers who fear political fragmentation.
Officials from the central government claim that Verón is not yet institutionally ready.
Part of the community fears that the change will bring new taxes without real improvements.
What impact would elevating the Bávaro – Verón – Punta Cana Municipal District to a municipality have on Higüey?
Negatives: losses of revenue from taxes and reduction of territorial and political power.
Positive aspects: an opportunity to refocus resources on its urban area, seek support from the central government, and establish inter-municipal cooperation agreements. An orderly transition could strengthen its institutions and reputation. The municipality of Salvaleón de Higüey is culturally rich, with over 1,300 years of history to discover and restore. The Basilica of Higüey is not just a temple but the spiritual heart of the country, representing the connection between faith, identity, and culture of the Dominican people. It is a source of comfort, hope, and unity for believers both within and outside the country, attracting approximately one million visitors annually—a significant figure for the development of religious tourism.
In conclusion, this regional evolution should make us aware that we are from Altagracia, and the healthiest way to do so is to establish a regional transition council while technical offices and management structures are created, so that the municipality can be born with a progressive agreement on taxes with Higüey, avoiding an abrupt break and allowing an orderly transition for the benefit of all.
Photo: External source.
