President Abinader said that 4,653 homes have been rebuilt, 50 percent of those affected.
SANTO DOMINGO- Twenty billion pesos is the figure that the Dominican government has so far been able to quantify regarding the damage caused by Hurricane Fiona as it passed through the national territory, President Luis Abinader declared last night.
In the Public Works chapter alone, the Government says it will have to carry out reconstructions for an estimated amount of 9 billion pesos and "possibly something more," the president stated.
"This is a job and an inventory that is being done day by day; for example, the most difficult thing is being able to make and collect the precise data on the damage to agriculture, which has been significant," the president indicated while leading a press conference where he offered details regarding the aid that has been sent by the Government.
Abinader added that so far the Executive Branch has not lacked resources to implement special economic and political aid in the eastern region.
"The government, with what it has in the Treasury, has allocated it for those purposes; not a single cent has been lacking for that recovery. Now, regarding the final funds, and the other, for example, in Public Works, we are going to do reconstructions, and they estimate 9 billion pesos and possibly something more, just from Public Works, and we have already identified the funds," added the head of state.
Finance Minister José Manuel (Jochi) Vicente added that the General Budget itself includes "the mechanisms through which part of those resources would be financed.".
The president emphasized that these figures are still "estimates" and that the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD) continues to work with the audits to provide the final report.
Stock inventory
Taking stock of the damage caused by the natural phenomenon and the rapid action of state institutions to normalize the situation, President Abinader cited that 4,653 homes have been rebuilt, 50 percent of those affected.
According to the report given by the president, the affected hospitals are back to normal and 40 percent of the schools have already been repaired.
He detailed that through the Presidency's Social Plan, he has delivered 192,750 food rations, 3,020 appliances, 4,840 mattresses and 37 emergency kits.
Abinader added that in the eastern region, 97.1% of the electrical service has been restored. 748,259 customers have active electricity service, while 22,301 customers still need their service restored.
In the northern region, electricity service has been restored to 99.9%. 229,194 customers now have power, leaving only 869 still without service.
