SANTO DOMINGO – Senator Rafael Duluc (Cholitín), representing La Altagracia province, clarified yesterday that although Law 368-22 on Territorial Planning, Land Use and
Human empowers municipal districts with more than 15,000 inhabitants to manage their own taxes, its full implementation still depends on regulations that must be issued by the Executive Branch through a decree.
During an interview with El Inmobiliario as part of the panel “Verification in Times of Defamation,” held in Punta Cana, the legislator argued that the regulations cannot be effectively implemented without this complementary instrument.
“The law has many specifications that must be complemented by the implementing regulations. Until those are issued, it is difficult to apply the law because it has many elements that make it impossible,” the legislator explained, referring to the conflict between the Verón-Punta Cana Municipal District and the Higüey City Council, which has created difficulties for builders in the eastern Dominican Republic.
Duluc recalled that this situation is not new and dates back to when he was mayor of the main municipality, during the period 2020-2024, after stating that he has information that the regulation is in a final review stage by a technical team of the Executive Branch.
“It is not drafted jointly with the districts or the municipalities. The regulations are created by a technical team from the Executive Branch. They can listen to opinions, but they don't have to do it together,” he stated.
Given the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings' (Mivhed) to accept permits issued solely by Verón, Duluc recommended that developers continue processing their permits as they have been doing, in coordination with both districts.
“What the builders need to do is continue as before. There is an agreement between Verón and Higüey that is still in effect. That is to say, they must obtain permits from both parties,” the senator stated.
The conflict has generated tensions between the two local authorities, given that Verón claims to have a legal basis to operate its own Urban Planning Office and issue building permits, while the Mivhed insists on not validating those documents until the corresponding regulations are issued.
