Two commissions are investigating the collapse at the Codia building; where were the authorities who allowed construction in vulnerable locations?; home renovations were done with paints different from those specified in the bidding process; financial system assets grew 14.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2022; energy costs are expected to increase by approximately US$1 billion; UNPHU announces a seminar on the Colonial City; the Ministry of Economy maintains its 5.0% growth projections for the end of 2022; Bitcoin plummets almost 15% to its lowest level since December 2020; passenger traffic at Dominican airports exceeded 1.2 million in May; shipping companies acknowledge logistical progress; citizens can comment on Senate bills through the website; Uber users can share their travel routes; and the Minister of Agriculture assures there will be no product shortages in the country.
Two commissions investigate collapse at Codia
A commission from the National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie) and the Dominican College of Engineers, Architects, and Surveyors (Codia) is investigating the cause of the partial collapse of the college's headquarters last Friday. The results of their investigation are expected to be released this week. The information was released by CodiaDolores Núñez, who stated that preliminary findings indicate the collapse was caused by an excavation approximately two meters below the college's facilities by a construction company. However, this will be confirmed by the ongoing investigation.
Where were the authorities who allowed construction in vulnerable locations?
With the indifference and permissiveness of the authorities, for many years dozens of families in Greater Santo Domingo and other locations have built homes and businesses in vulnerable places where the danger is permanent, not only for their occupants, but also for other people who circulate in their surroundings.
House renovations were done with paints different from those specified in the tender
The General Directorate of Strategic and Special Projects of the Presidency (Propeep), headed by Minister Neney Cabrera, accepted paint from some companies participating in the "Paint Your Neighborhood at Christmas" program that differed from what they had promised in the bidding process. According to an investigation by the program "El Informe con Alicia Ortega," the process revealed a series of irregularities in the execution of the project, which cost the Dominican State more than 155 million pesos. "El Informe" indicated that some companies that participated in the bidding process appear to be shell companies or linked to one another. Some substituted the promised merchandise with cheaper products unsuitable for the program's purposes.
Financial system assets grow 14.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2022
The Dominican financial system showed clear signs of strength and stability during the period January-March 2022, according to data from the "Quarterly Financial System Performance Report"published by the Superintendency of Banks (SB). The document indicates that the assets reached 2.76 trillion pesos (51% of GDP), representing a year-on-year nominal growth of 14.3%.
Energy costs would be an additional US$1 billion
The increase in electricity bills due to high energy generation prices, caused by the rise in oil, natural gas, and coal prices, would cost the Dominican State approximately one billion dollars in additional costs.
Unphu announces the celebration of a seminar on the Colonial City
The Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU), through its Dean's Office of Architecture and Art, announced a seminar on the "Colonial City of Santo Domingo: Its Planning and Governance." The event will be held on Wednesday, the 22nd of this month, starting at 4:00 p.m. at the university's main campus, according to architect Omar Rancier, Dean of Architecture and Art.
The Ministry of Economy maintains its growth projections at 5.0% for the end of 2022
The Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD) maintains its projection of Dominican economic growth at 5.0%, due to the levels of uncertainty in international markets, a figure it considers positive compared to forecasts made for other countries in the region.
Bitcoin plunges almost 15% to its lowest level since December 2020
Bitcoin, the best-known cryptocurrency on the market, extended its losses yesterday, Monday, plummeting almost 15% in the afternoon to its lowest level since December 2020. According to Bloomberg data consulted by Efe, Bitcoin, which began the session with losses exceeding 7%, continued its decline throughout the day.
Passenger traffic through Dominican airports in May exceeded 1.2 million
The open skies policy implemented by the Dominican Republic through the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) has created a more competitive market for air travel users in the country, stated the board's president, José Marte Piantini, at the conclusion of last Friday's regular session of the board members, who reviewed the request to approve new air operations under the code-sharing agreement. Marte Piantini detailed that from May 1st to 31st of this year, 1,226,056 passengers traveled by air on international flights through Dominican terminals in 9,170 air operations.
Shipping companies acknowledge logistical advances
The Dominican Republic Shipping Association (ANRD) hailed the recent agreement signed between the Dominican Republic's General Directorate of Customs and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as a positive step toward streamlining the international supply chain. ANRD President Teddy Heinsen stated that this agreement represents progress in the necessary streamlining of the international supply chain, which he said will improve cargo detection and enhance security at the country's ports.
Citizens will be able to comment on Senate bills through the web portal
Citizens can now comment on the various bills being considered in the Senate through the institution's website. "We want to hear your ideas, proposals, and opinions on the bills that senators are working on for the nation, in the standing, special, or bicameral committees," reads the welcome message to the congressional body's opinion section.
Uber users can share their travel route
Uber is implementing a new tool that allows users to easily share rides requested through its app with up to five contacts, friends or family members, by sending location, route and vehicle details of the trip.
The Minister of Agriculture assures that there will be no shortage of products in the country
Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz reiterated yesterday, Monday, that agricultural production in the Dominican Republic is guaranteed, and therefore he believes there will be no shortages of products in the market thanks to official support.
The alleged killer of Jorge Mera could have earned up to US$30 million if the permit had been approved
The lawyer for the Jorge Villegas family, Miguel Valerio, stated today that Miguel Cruz, the alleged murderer of Orlando Jorge Mera, would have earned between 20 and 30 million dollars had he been granted a permit to export used batteries. “That used battery permit was like rock ash in reverse. Here, the pollutant was dumped on Samaná beach, and a deputy minister was sanctioned by the Supreme Court. Here, it was exactly the same, but for exporting,” he said.
Sources: Hoy, Diario Libre, El Día, Listín Diario.
