SANTO DOMINGO . “ Without land surveying, the city goes astray.” With this statement, the president of the Dominican Association of Land Surveyors (ASODAGRIM), Engineer Víctor Torres Rosa, summarizes the relevance of the technical role played by professionals in the sector in urban planning and land management processes.
He notes that this year has been characterized by regulatory reforms, institutional frictions, and operational challenges. One of the most significant achievements he cites is the Supreme Court's approval of the amendment to the regulations for land regularization and demarcation.
“All the observations we presented were accepted by the plenary session. This shows that serious technical work can influence national regulations,” Torres stated in an interview with El Inmobiliario , after asserting that the new regulations directly impact the legal security of real estate ownership.
On the technical front, he explained that the association promoted the adoption of tools such as total stations, GPS , drones, and GIS systems. Furthermore, it established agreements with universities like UNPHU and UCATECI , as well as with the Bar Association, to expand professional training. “Training is not a luxury. It is a necessity to guarantee accuracy and responsibility in the practice of law,” he stated.
This year saw the inauguration of the first specialized surveying library, along with a museum honoring Professor José Gustavo Rodríguez. Both spaces were conceived to preserve the technical knowledge of the profession and promote the study of the discipline. “We cannot move forward without recognizing the value of those who have paved this way,” commented Torres Rosa.
Challenges
Speaking about the challenges facing the profession he leads, he mentions the backlog of applications at entities such as the State Sugar Council and the General Directorate of National Assets. “There are tens of thousands of applications that are not moving forward. This hinders real estate development and limits professional practice. We have undertaken technical efforts to get these processes moving again,” he explained.
Another aspect that raises concerns is the exclusion of surveyors from the mass titling programs implemented by UTECT. “ Titling cannot be done without surveyors. Law 108-05 clearly establishes our technical role. Leaving out professionals is a mistake that compromises the quality of the process,” he stated.
The slowdown in the construction sector also impacted surveying activity. “Investment in infrastructure has decreased, and that translates into less work for our members. If there's no construction, there's no surveying. It's a reality that worries us,” the organization's president stated.
A technical and legal war
Torres Rosa describes the year as a “technical and legal battle” in defense of the profession. “We have had to respond with proposals, institutional presence, and solid arguments. It is not a symbolic war; it is an active defense of our profession against decisions that exclude or paralyze us,” she stated.
Despite the obstacles, the association made progress in expanding the CORS Station Network, digitizing services, and implementing certification programs in areas such as geomatics, multipurpose cadastre, and advanced georeferencing. “We are building a solid technical foundation for the future. The quality of the work depends on continuous training,” he stated.
Plans
Looking ahead to 2026, the association plans a strategy focused on decentralization , strengthening provincial representation, and developing digital tools for its operations. “We want surveyors to be recognized as key players in urban planning,” he emphasized.
Currently, the association has over five thousand active members, out of more than eight thousand registered nationwide. As part of this initiative, the digitization of the professional registry was launched through a web platform, as part of a formalization campaign. “Our goal is to consolidate what we have achieved and continue positioning the surveyor as an essential player in territorial development,” Torres concluded.
