The engineer questioned the lack of communication between the union and the Codiano Institutional Committee, while also demanding the validation of pending files and the payment of debts before the end of the year
SANTO DOMINGO.– Engineer Miguel Liberato questioned the management of the president of the Dominican College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors (CODIA), George Richardson, regarding compliance with Law 1626, considering that the commitments made with the Codia Institutional Committee have not yet translated into concrete results for the contractors who are waiting for payment of their debts.
Liberato recalled that, upon assuming the presidency of the association, Richardson promised to prioritize the implementation of this legislation, which raised expectations among the organization's members. However, he asserted that subsequent actions have not fully aligned with the announced commitments, particularly regarding the participation of committee representatives in negotiations with debtor institutions.
In that context, the engineer explained that the new president of the Codians also committed to visiting, along with the board of the Codian Institutional Committee, the heads of institutions with outstanding obligations. The purpose of these meetings would be to identify the obstacles preventing the submission of files to the Law's Implementing Commission.
However, Liberato pointed out that Richardson has already met with the director of the House and with the Minister of Housing without inviting the committee representatives, even though their participation was part of the initial agreement.
For this reason, he considered it necessary that institutional actions remain consistent with the promises made and that contractors can effectively participate in the proceedings aimed at streamlining their processes.
Communication between CODIA and the committee remains precarious
Adding to the concerns mentioned above is the lack of communication between CODIA and the CODIA Institutional Committee. According to Liberato, Richardson had offered to establish a permanent link between the two parties; however, this mechanism has not been effective.
"The reality is that this communication continues to be precarious," the engineer said, referring to the difficulties the organization faces in learning about the actions taken on behalf of the contractors.
Similarly, he indicated that, although CODIA has the responsibility to oversee compliance with Law 1626, the committee members do not know who actually performs that function and what actions have been taken so far.
Consequently, this lack of information makes it difficult to monitor institutional commitments and increases uncertainty among those who have been waiting for years for their cases to be processed.
Dozens of files remain pending validation
While these coordination difficulties persist, dozens of files remain pending validation, due to documentary problems, administrative procedures and other obstacles that delay their submission to the Law's Implementing Commission.
Given this situation, Liberato insisted that public statements and meetings with officials must be backed by verifiable actions that allow procedures to be unblocked and progress to be made towards the settlement of outstanding financial obligations.
In that sense, the engineer was emphatic in questioning the gap between institutional announcements and expected results.
"Promises do not validate cases. Photographs with officials do not replace oversight, and silence does not constitute an institutional response," he stated.
Therefore, the representative of the Codiano Institutional Committee demanded greater transparency regarding the procedures carried out, as well as monitoring mechanisms that allow determining which documents have progressed, which remain paralyzed, and what measures are being taken to overcome the obstacles.
Contractors demand transparency and payment of debts this year
Furthermore, Liberato clarified that the Codiano Institutional Committee does not intend to assume the leadership functions of CODIA or obtain any privileges. Instead, it seeks to ensure that established commitments are fulfilled, transparency in the oversight process is guaranteed, and institutional agreements are respected.
"The Codia Institutional Committee does not claim privileges nor does it intend to direct CODIA. It demands consistency between the commitments made and the actions taken," he stated.
Referring to the years of waiting accumulated by the contractors, the engineer used a popular expression to summarize his dissatisfaction with the current situation: "All talk and no action.".
With this statement, he highlighted his concern about the lack of concrete progress compared to the expectations generated by the announced commitments. He also reiterated that the affected professionals and contractors need solutions that will allow them to conclude the pending procedures and receive the outstanding payments.
Finally, Liberato summarized the sector's main demands and called on the relevant authorities to accelerate the necessary actions to comply with the legislation.
"After so many years of waiting, the contractors of the Codiano Institutional Committee don't need more empty promises. We need concrete results, validated files, and debts paid," he emphasized.
He concluded with a direct message about the expectations of those affected, insisting that the solution must materialize during the current year: "We want to be paid this year.".
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