SANTO DOMINGO. -From January to July 2024, 1,960 applications were received, of which 80% were completed during the period, registering a daily productivity of 10.7 permits processed on a working day, which is 2.66 times the average from 2019 to 2023 and double the productivity of 2023.
This is stated in a document by the head of that state agency, Miguel Ceara-Hatton, who affirms that for the first time the Dominican State knows how many environmental permits have been requested throughout a year (from July 2023 to August 3, 2024), how many applications have been completed, how many are in process, how many days the procedures for a type of permit last in the ministry and how many in the hands of the citizen and how each type of permit behaves in a year, among other aspects of the dynamics of the permitting of that Ministry.
"We have received 4,021 permit applications (ranging from those with the highest environmental impact (A, B, C) to those with the lowest (D and No Required). Of these, 43% have been completed, 24% are in the hands of the Ministry, and 33% are in the hands of the citizen," the official stated.
It states that the average simple processing time within the institution is 63 working days and an additional 29 working days in the hands of the citizen.
Miguel Ceara-Hatton. (External source).
The most frequent applications are for categories characterized by very low environmental impact, which are granted by the provincial directors of the Environment Ministry. "This is the first time since the Ministry's inception that we can determine how many permits the provincial offices have processed, how many have been completed, and how many are in process. Furthermore, we now have effective control over the permits and the types of activities authorized.".
Type D permits represent 24% of all applications and 40% of all completed permits. 960 have been completed and 274 are in process, says Ceara-Hatton.
He explains that when the digital platform was launched (August 2023), there were 855 permit applications (A, B, and C). Of these, 570 have been completed: 45% from July to December 2023 and 55% from January to August 2024.
"Currently, there are 285 permits in process, of which only 39 (14%) are in the hands of the institution and the remaining 246 are in the hands of the public. A thorough investigation has been launched to determine the actual status of the permits in the hands of the public, in order to close the files of those projects that the public has not moved in a year," he states.
Total number of applications (A, B, C, Not required and Closed) per year, completed, % in process, income and daily working productivity.
The economist argues that environmental permits guarantee the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, which is essential for the survival of the country and society. "It's the guarantee of a better present and a better future. We cannot allow them to destroy rivers, mountains, or the best lands so someone can make a few bucks. Economic and social development is important, but that development must be sustainable.".
