The government subsidizes diesel by RD$48 and increases the Bonogas fare to prevent a fare increase; the Dominican Republic and Haiti will create a team to verify border limits; cryptocurrency use grows in the Dominican Republic and calls for regulation; people continue to "cry out to heaven" over the rising prices of basic goods; the basket for the wealthiest increased by RD$707.85, while for the poorest it rose by RD$279.09; how the profile of tourists who visited the Dominican Republic changed in 2021; hoteliers hire more than 1,360 people at a job fair in the eastern region; Alexis Medina and three others from the Antipulpo network will remain in prison; why is the Pepca requesting an extension in the investigation of corruption cases?; a health alert is issued for Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formulas due to the appearance of bacteria; the free service on the Churchill corridor is reduced from one month to one week; the number 13 appears three times in the lottery and brings back memories for Dominicans.
The government subsidizes diesel by RD$48 and increases the Bonogas fare to prevent a fare increase.
The government is subsidizing 1.5 million gallons of diesel fuel for transportation companies and is awaiting a list of drivers to expand the coverage and increase the amount of the Bonogas subsidy, as part of measures to mitigate the effects of rising fuel prices, several industry leaders reported. The Minister of the Presidency and head of the Transportation Cabinet, Lisandro Macarrulla, confirmed yesterday that targeted subsidies for drivers have already begun to be implemented to prevent fare increases, with solutions agreed upon with representatives of the sector.
Dominican Republic and Haiti will create a team to verify fence boundaries
The construction of the border fence between the Dominican Republic and Haiti will be verified by a team of geospatial experts from both countries to ensure that the position of the border markers is respected. According to Haitian media reports citing a statement released by the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, the proposal was made by Dominican President Luis Abinader during a call with Ariel Henry on Friday, February 18.
Cryptocurrency use is growing in the Dominican Republic, and there are calls for regulation
The cryptocurrency market is booming in the country, and its proponents are advocating for regulations and standards that would allow its use in businesses and on digital platforms. Digital currencies are used in the country on local platforms, but even more so on international ones, and the demand for them as a safe haven from other legal tender is growing.
People continue to "cry out to heaven" about the rising prices of basic goods.
A survey conducted by Listín Diario of small grocery stores, markets, and supermarkets revealed price fluctuations between businesses, though all shoppers at these establishments shared a common complaint: the rising prices. However, regardless of whether it's an error, the Fair Prices app displays the same prices for most products in both stores and supermarkets, while some consumers say they can no longer tolerate the price increases.
The basket of goods for the richest rose RD$ 70.85 ; for the poorest, RD$ 279.09
The cost of the basic food basket for the poorest Dominican families increased by RD$279.09 in January, while for the wealthiest families it rose by RD$707.85. However, the relative increase was smaller for the wealthiest families. The national basic food basket, meanwhile, saw an absolute increase of RD$473.76 in January, equivalent to 1.18 percent. According to calculations by the National Accounts Department of the Central Bank, the cost of the basic food basket for the first quintile, corresponding to the lowest-income households, rose from RD$23,690.36 at the end of December 2021 to RD$23,969.45, an absolute increase of RD$279.09, equivalent to 1.17 percent.
How the profile of the tourist who visited the Dominican Republic changed in 2021
The type of accommodation chosen, the reason for travel, and the increased number of children, teenagers, and young adults were among the changes in the profile of tourists visiting the Dominican Republic in 2021 compared to previous years. Tourists aged 0-12 and 13-20 saw the largest increases in their share of non-resident foreign visitors to the country during 2021.
Hoteliers hire more than 1,360 people at job fair in the eastern region
Of the 5,000 jobs that hoteliers said they needed in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic, 1,362 people were selected at the large job fair developed by the Ministry of Labor in conjunction with the hotel sector.
Alexis Medina and three others from the Antipulpo network will remain in prison
Judge Deiby Timoteo Peguero of the Seventh Court of Instruction of the National District rejected on Monday the request for release or a more flexible form of pretrial detention submitted by Juan Alexis Medina Sánchez and three others implicated in the high-profile administrative corruption case known as "Antipulpo." The pretrial detention of Fernando Rosa, Wacal Vernavel Méndez Pineda, and José Dolores Santana, the only individuals currently imprisoned in connection with the case, will remain in effect.
Why is the Pepca requesting an extension in the investigation of corruption cases?
The nature of corruption investigations, the high-profile cases currently open involving former officials and numerous companies, are some of the justifications the Public Prosecutor's Office uses when it petitions a court for an extension in an investigation. This practice by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca) has generated discontent among those implicated in corruption cases, such as former Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez, whose lawyers denounced last week that the Public Prosecutor's Office is acting in this way (allowing deadlines to expire and waiting for judges to issue injunctions) to keep defendants in prison longer.
Health alert issued for Similac, Alimentum and EleCare formulas due to the appearance of bacteria
The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MISPAS), through the Vice Ministry of Collective Health and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Health Products (DIGEMAPS), reported a health alert in the Dominican territory due to the appearance of a bacteria in the powdered formulas: Similac, Alimentum and EleCare.
Churchill corridor free service reduced from one month to one week
The Churchill Corridor began charging 35 pesos for a ride this Monday, despite its operators promising a one-month grace period, which was reduced to just one week, a situation that surprised and angered passengers.
The number 13 comes up three times in the Lottery and brings back memories for Dominicans
The number 13 came out as the winner in the first, second, and third prizes in yesterday's 3:30 pm National Lottery , bringing back memories for Dominicans, since last year an alleged mafia was uncovered in that entity with the ball containing the same number, a presumed network for which some are serving preventive detention.
Sources: Listín Diario, Diario Libre , El Día, Hoy and El Caribe.
